May 30th 2024.
Kanyakumari: On a serene Thursday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a 45-hour-long meditation at the renowned Vivekananda Rock Memorial. This marked the end of his two-month-long, high-intensity campaign for the Lok Sabha elections across the nation.
After arriving via helicopter from nearby Thiruvananthapuram, Modi first paid his respects at the Bhagavathi Amman temple and then made his way to the rock memorial by ferry. He was dressed in a traditional white dhoti and shawl as he began his meditation, which is set to continue until June 1.
At the temple, Modi took part in rituals and received blessings from the priests. He also performed a special ‘arthi’ and was given temple ‘prasad’, including a shawl and a framed photograph of the presiding deity. Afterwards, he made his way to the rock memorial, where he stood on the stairs for a moment, taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding sea.
The prime minister then showered flowers on the portraits of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and mother Sri Sarada Devi before paying his respects to the life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda. He then commenced his sadhana at the mandapam, a peaceful space that holds significance for the PM.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai clarified that the prime minister's visit to the memorial was purely personal and not a political event. He also stated that party members did not take part in the meditation as it was a private affair for Modi.
Before departing on June 1, Modi is expected to visit the nearby Thiruvalluvar statue, which stands next to the memorial. Both structures were built on tiny islets, surrounded by the sea.
While Modi's meditation attracted negative attention from certain groups, including a black flag demonstration in Madurai, the social media world was flooded with #GoBackModi posts. This opposition stemmed from the final phase of Lok Sabha election voting, which was set to take place on June 1.
Strict security measures were put in place for Modi's 45-hour stay at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a tribute to the revered Hindu saint. This was the first time the prime minister had stayed at the memorial, which was built in honor of Swami Vivekananda's meditation on the rocks in 1892.
In 2019, after the Lok Sabha election campaign, Modi had chosen the Kedarnath cave for his period of reflection and meditation. This time, he chose the spiritually significant location of Kanyakumari, situated at the southernmost tip of the mainland.
After months of hectic campaigning and addressing numerous political events, Modi was finally able to find solace and quietude at the dhyan mandapam. Surrounded by the calming sound of the waves, he was able to meditate in peace.
The memorial was heavily guarded, and security was heightened in the entire Kanyakumari district, with around 2,000 police personnel deployed. The Tamil Nadu police's Coastal Security Group, Coast Guard, and Navy were also on heightened alert.
Modi's meditation at the dhyan mandapam holds significance as it is believed to be the place where Swami Vivekananda had a divine vision of ‘Bharat Mata’, a spiritual icon that the prime minister admires.
Overall, it was a personal and spiritual experience for Modi, who took a break from his busy schedule to reflect and rejuvenate at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
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