PM Modi Meditation at Vivekananda Rock Memorial: Vivekananda Memorial Centre Located in Kanyakumari, the farthest corner of India, this is a memorial that keeps Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts alive even today. It was here that Swami Vivekananda meditated for three days on 25, 26, 27 December in the year 1892 and after that he started his work to make India a developed nation.
Now Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go to this Vivekananda Memorial Center and meditate for three days. From the evening of May 30 to the evening of June 1, PM Modi will meditate here in Mandapam.
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After all, what is the importance of Vivekananda Memorial Centre, why was this memorial built, what is this centre trying to do differently and what message of history is being given from here? Let us tell you in detail in this special story.
First, Understand the Significance of the Vivekananda Memorial
Vivekananda Memorial Centre is a small rocky island located about 500 meters from the Vavathurai beach of Kanyakumari. It is the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland, where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal meet.
At the end of the 19th century, Vivekananda was travelling all over India. After travelling for four years, he finalised his journey in Kanyakumari in 1892. There he saw a huge rock in the sea and then he swam to this rock to meditate. His disciples believe that Vivekananda spent three days and three nights on that rock and attained enlightenment.
When and How Did the Idea of Building the Memorial Originate?
Till the 60s, there used to be only a rock on this cliff. When Swami Vivekananda’s birth centenary was celebrated in the year 1963, the idea of building a memorial on the rock to pay tribute to him came up. After this, the then Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar entrusted the responsibility of building the memorial here to RSS pracharak Eknath Ranade.
This idea was inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s statement in which he said, “I will continue to work even after leaving my body and will inspire the coming generations to complete my unfinished work.”
This memorial is a symbol of unity as the whole of India came together to build it. All the state governments and the central government also contributed to it. This memorial is also special because it was blessed by the Ramakrishna Mission, designed by the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and the first donation was made by Swami Chinmayananda (Chinmaya Mission).
It is believed that Vivekananda had dreamt of a developed India on this rock. Therefore, this sacred place was chosen to build the memorial. The foundation of this memorial was laid by MP Shivgnanam. He had clearly told the minorities not to oppose the memorial but to welcome it.
While inaugurating the Vivekananda Rock Memorial on 2 September 1970, the then President of India VV Giri called upon all Indians to respond to the call of the nation. Pointing to Vivekananda’s secular nature, the President recalled Vivekananda’s humanism and his love for the poor.
What Was the Purpose Behind Establishing the Vivekananda Memorial?
Vivekananda Memorial Centre was built after the Rock Memorial. Vivekananda Centre was started in 1972 as a living memorial of Swami Vivekananda. Its main guiding principle is ‘Manav Nirman’ and ‘Nation Nirman’. There is a statement of Swami Vivekananda behind the ideal of Vivekananda Memorial Centre. He had said-
“A gathering or crowd of people does not make a nation, nor does geographical area and period of time qualify a society to be called a nation. A government formed on such a basis may be called a State, but not a nation. It is a goal or mission that makes a nation. All its organs work together for some noble cause. Service done with spiritual feelings leads to human development which is always linked to nation building.”
This nation building is not limited to India only. Vivekananda Memorial Centre believes that this mission should be spread across the world and Indian ideas should be propagated abroad. This is where Vivekananda Kendra International started. You can also call it the third phase of expansion of Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
How Was Permission Granted to Build the Vivekananda Memorial?
It was not easy to build Vivekananda Memorial. A lot of struggle had to be done to build it. The Christian community living in Kanyakumari had protested. They said that a cross brought by Saint Francis Xavier was already placed on this rock. The Tamil Nadu government also did not give permission to build this memorial because they felt that this controversy could become big.
Eknath Ranade has written in his book ‘Story of Vivekananda Rock Memorial’ that at that time there was a Congress government in Tamil Nadu and M Bhaktavatsalam was the Chief Minister. When he was asked for permission for the memorial, he was flatly refused. So Ranade reached Delhi and met the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Lal Bahadur Shastri suggested him to gather public opinion. Eknath Ranade immediately started his work and within the next three days he met 323 MPs and got their signatures. After this Ranade again approached Shastri and got the approval.
When Was Vivekananda Kendra International Established?
Vivekananda Kendra International is the third phase of three phases of expansion. The first phase was Rock Memorial, the second was Vivekananda Kendra and the third was Vivekananda Kendra International. This international center was inaugurated in 2003 and its beginning was in 1982.
There is a great thought behind the creation of Vivekananda Kendra International. As a great historian has said, “The end of the West should be Indian.” The beginning of the West has given rise to quarrels and conflicts for centuries, in such a situation the Indian mission at the global level is the only option. Its purpose is to bring the greatness of India’s culture and knowledge to the world. At the same time, India should be able to face the challenges coming at the global level.
What Message Does PM Modi Convey by Visiting Vivekananda Memorial?
First perspective
Every person has his own faith. If he may be interested in spirituality, then it is welcome. It is possible that after contesting the elections, he now wants to express his faith in God or wants to relax, there can be many such reasons.
Second perspective
The second point of view could be to give some political message. This is where a little problem arises. Because the election campaign will end on the evening of 30 May. In such a situation, if the Prime Minister goes to some important place to meditate, then it will definitely become a topic of discussion.
Third perspective
This could be a political stunt. However, during the last 2019 elections, he had gone to Kedarnath and meditated in a similar way. Vivekananda Memorial has a lot of importance, but it is natural to raise questions about going there and meditating during such an election time. Therefore, this could also be one of his strategies.
