My Visit to Kanayakumari Vivekananda Rock
- Nivedita Lahiri
A member of the Choir
Monday, May 12, 2025
Maharaj Sumanasanandaji visited VVCC in August 2024. Following his activities, Debashish and I traveled to the USA-Canada border, to Thousand Island Vivekananda Cottage (Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of NY), to escort him there. During the journey, amidst various conversations, I asked whether there was a Ramakrishna Mission in Kanyakumari and if I could visit it. Maharajji immediately replied, "There is no issue at all! I know Swami Padmasthananda, the resident Maharaj of Chennai Ramakrishna Mission, very well. He will guide you—I will inform him about you."
From that moment, I began preparing for my trip to Kanyakumari. When the time came, I reached Chennai Ramakrishna Mission, where the revered Swami Padmasthananda Maharaj explained everything to me. The next day, I departed from Chennai Egmore Station, heading toward Kanyakumari, rich with memories of Swamiji.
"An Unknown Shore, An Unknown Land"
Upon arriving at Kanyakumari Railway Station, I found Vivekanandapuram, just one kilometer away. It offers accommodation, a Sunrise Point, a Peacock Sanctuary, and a vegetarian restaurant that serves meals all day. Since I had made reservations in advance, I settled there and viewed Vivekananda Rock from afar at Sunrise Point.
Now, I had to visit Vivekananda Rock. After breakfast, I got ready and met an "auto driver – Auto Dada" at the Vivekanandapuram reception. When he learned that I had come alone from Kolkata, he gladly agreed to take me there. I began my journey after offering prayers to Sri Ma, feeling like Swami Padmasthananda Maharaj was still watching over me, despite the distance. The auto driver dropped me off at the ferry and said he would return in two hours to take me back to Vivekanandapuram.
Our ferry ride lasted only seven minutes, yet the sea was fierce! In front of Vivekananda Rock, there was another rock featuring the statue of the great Tamil philosopher-poet Thiruvalluvar. I noticed they were working on building a glass bridge between the two rocks.
The Sacred Vivekananda Rock
Vivekananda Rock is surrounded by three seas and blessed by the footsteps of Goddess Kumari. It is Swamiji’s meditation site and marks the southernmost tip of India. In 1971, Eknath Ranade completed the memorial hall. Here, one can find Swamiji’s grand statue, a meditation chamber, and the endless waves worshiping Swamiji through their rhythmic crashing.
It is said that Goddess Parvati once meditated on this rock, leaving her sacred footprint behind. This rock is also known as 'Sripada Perai', where "Perai" means "rock" in Tamil.
In 1892, Swamiji swam across the turbulent sea to meditate here, contemplating India’s destiny under colonial rule. It was on this rock that Swamiji envisioned India’s future, laying the foundation for his dream of a prosperous nation.
At the scheduled time, we returned via ferry, which stops operating in the evening. The auto driver then took me to the Triveni Sangam, where the three seas meet. From a distance, I saw Vivekananda Rock illuminated yet silent, wondering if Swamiji stood alone after the crowds had left. But no, "The moon and the sun offer him their divine evening worship."
Final Pilgrimage and Return
The auto driver took me to several nearby temples. The next morning, I offered prayers to Goddess Kumari, one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas.
That evening, I boarded my return train to Chennai, carrying with me the immortal memory of Vivekananda Rock, standing amidst the endless waves of the vast ocean.
I offer my deepest respect and gratitude to Maharaj Sumanasanandaji and Maharaj Padmasthanandaji, for without their guidance, I would never have made this journey.
