Knocking at 50s on Southern seashore(Part 2)

KANYAKUMARI 

After reaching Kanyakumari we went around these spots 

 Arulmigu Bhagavathyamman Temple

The southern most tip of India known as CAPE bears the name of Goddess Kanyakumari incarnation of Devi Parvathi worshipped as virgin girl child here.  It is a spiritually rejuvenating experience to seek the darshan of charming Goddess performing penance holding Japamala in her hand. The prime attaction is her nose jewel that glares, shines and casts spell on the pilgrim.

We had darshan of the Devi  Bhagavathy , then trolled in the temple shopping complex for buying some handicrafts & conches special to this coastal land. 

Vivekanada Rock & Thiruvallur statue as seen from Mainland

After this we queued up for the ferry that takes visitors to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, situated on a hillock inside the sea.Luckily not a long queque.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Swami Vivekananda before leaving for World Religious Conference in Chicago in 1892, spent 3 days & 3 nights in meditation on one of the rocks projecting in the Lakshadweep sea. Years later in 1970 , a bronze statue was built on the island where he attained enlightement.Statue is housed in Vivekanand mandapam, the footprint of Devi Kanyakumari imprinted on the other rock (according to lends) is housed in Sripada mandapam. From the rock ,one can see the statue of Tamil poet Thiruvallur. Earlier, the ferry used to take the tourists to this rock too,but now it was not done.

                                             Video capturing the seas from the rock

The laccadive sea surrounds these rocks.

The rock memorial as seen from the ferry

Closeup of the rock

Sripada mandapam

Vivekanand mandapam

statue of Thiruvallur

Bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda

Cape of camorin beach

Kanyakumari beach

The confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea makes this beach like no other in the world.In our last trip we had  enjoyed breathtaking views of sunrise set against a backdrop of the Vivekananda Memorial and the majestic Thiruvalluvar statue.

Gandhimandapam

Urn containing ashes of Mahatmaji

A memorial marks the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi after cremation was kept before being immersed at the point where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet.

Vivekanandapuram

Headquarters of the Vivekananda Kendra founded by Eknath Ranade ,who steer headed the building of Vivekananda Rock Memorial is at the north of the town centre. It is an ashram that can serve as the retreat for spiritually inclined. Apart from the activities pursued by the Kendra, there are few things to see. There are two separate exhibitions – The Wandering Monk and Arise!Awake! – on Swami Vivekananda, his life and teachings. Another exhibition Gangtori talks about the life and teachings of Eknath Ranade. 

Delicious & satvik lunch is available here, unlimited servings ,eat as much as you can. But we had eaten at some eatery near the beach, we could not relish the dishes fully. There is a sunset & sunrise point near the beach belonging to the kendra.

We left to Nagercoil by train with full memories of Kanyakumari viewing pics and videos captured on mobile.

Entrance arch to Vivekanand puram

    Inside the premises

Eknath Ranade