| Fountain at Kanniyakumari |
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Kanyakumari
district, which lies in the southern most tip of Peninsular India,
is famous for its majestic
hills, virgin
beaches, pristine rivers and meandering rivulets. The district
has a fragrance of architecture culture and customs of neighbouring
Kerala
mixed with the rich deep traditions, culture and architecture of
Tamil Nadu. However, for want of promotional campaign and lack
of basic amenities most of the tourists coming to this district
return
back after seeing just Kanyakumari and Padmanabhapuram Palace.
It was at this juncture that the district administration
decided to take up tourism promotion initiatives in a major way. Attempt
has been made to put up basic amenities at the virgin beautiful spots so
as to facilitate the inflow of the tourists.
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The place has been associated with great men like Swami
Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi in whose names memorials have been
here. They are very beautiful and add to the attraction of this place.
The beautiful Gandhi Memorial completed in 1956, is situated as a
memorial to the Father of the Nation. An urn of Mahatma Gandhi was
kept here for public to pay homage before immersion. Mahatma Gandhi
visited Kanyakumari twice in 1925 and 1937. Mahatma Gandhi visited
Kanyakumari in January 1937. In 1948 his ashes were immersed in the
sea waters in Kanyakumari. In commemoration of this event a beautiful
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monument
has been constructed here. Its central shape is 79 feet high representing
the age of the Mahatma at the time of the sun at Mid day on 2nd October
would fall on the peedam through a hole in the roof. The memorial was
transferred to the administrative control of the Public (Information
and Public Relations) Department from Public Works Department of Government
of Tamil Nadu in the year 1978.
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Thiruvalluvar is the immortal poet of Tamil Nadu and
has given to the world Thirukkural. The memorial statue of Thiruvalluvar
is in Kanyakumari. The pedestal of the statue is of 38 feet height
and the statue over it is 95 feet tall with a grand total of 133
feet for the entire sculpture. The 3 tier pedestal known as Atharapeedam
is surrounded by an artistic Mandapa known as Alankara Mandapam with
38 feet height. Surrounding the Alankara Mandapa stand 10 elephant
statues signifying 8 directions with earth and space down. The father
of Sri. Rama, the hero of Ramayana was called Dasaratha as he was
able to charioteer in ten directions. To help the tourists to worship
the holy feet of Thiruvalluvar 140 steps are constructed inside the
Mandapa. The pedestal with a height of 38 feet represents the 38
chapters in the Book of Aram in Thirukural and the statue of 95 feet
on the pedestal represents the total chapters in Porul (70 chapters)
and Inbam (25 Chapters). Thus the statue symbolically, and artistically
signifies that the theme of Porul and Inbam are based on Aram.
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Another monument Kamarajar Manimandapam was raised
and dedicated to Late. Sri. Kamarajar, The freedom fighter, Former
Chief minister of Tamil Nadu, President of Indian National Congress.
He was popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses and king
maker during congress regime. This monument was constructed where
his ashes were kept here for public to pay homage before immersion
into the sea.
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| Vivekananda Rock Memorial |
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Vivekananda
Rock Memorial is another place in Kanyakumari which attracts large
number of
tourists. As its name
implies, it is essentially a sacred monument, built by the Vivekananda
Rock Memorial Committee to commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda
to “Shripada Parai” during 24th, 25th and 26th December
1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.
From
very ancient times, the rock has been regarded as sacred place.
In Puranic tradition, it has been known as “Sripada
Parai: meaning the rock, that has been blessed by the touch
of Shripada feet of the Goddess.On the rock, is a projection
similar
in form to a human fort and a little brownish in complexion,
which has traditionally, been revered as a symbol of Shripadam.
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According
to legend, it was on this rock that Goddess Kanyakumari did Tapas. The
memorial consists of two main structures, viz (i) Vivekananda
Mandapam and (ii) Shripada Mandapam.
Vivekananda
Mandapam:- This 180’-11 ½ ‘ X 56’ Mandapam
consists of (1) Dhyana Mandapam, i.e., Meditation Hall with six
adjacent rooms (2) Sabha Mandapam or the Assembly Hall including
Pralima Mandapam (statue section) two rooms, a corridor and an
open Prakaram round the Sabha Mandapam (30 Mukha Mandapam (Portion)
and (4) the Front Entrance steps with two rooms and a corridor
below the steps.
Shripada
Mandapam:- This square hall consists of (1) Garbha Graham i.e.,
(Sanctum Sanctorum) (2) the Inner Prakaram (3) the Outer Prakaram
and (4) the Outer Platform all around. Both the Mandapams are
so designed that the vision of Swamiji in the statue would be
seen direct towards the Shripadam.
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