- A 19th century philosopher and author, Swami Vivekananda took India’s spiritual fame to the world at the Parliament of World’s Religions held in Chicago in 1893.
- It was in honour of the great monk that the memorial was erected in 1970.
- The rock on which the memorial is built is said to be where Vivekananda attained enlightenment.
- Legends also say that it was on this rock that goddess Kanyakumari prayed to lord Shiva, thus attaining an important place in India’s religious premises.
- There is a specially preserved portion in the rock which is believed to be the imprint of the goddess’s feet.
- The memorial showcases an elegant blend of different architectural genres.
- The Sripada Mandapam and Vivekananda Mandapam are two structures to be explored in the memorial.
- There is also a life-sized bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda in the premises.
- The rock is surrounded by the Laccadive sea where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea form a confluence.
