The magnificent memorial at Kundhukal in Rameswaram island, where Swami Vivekananda landed on his return after attending the Parliament of World Religions at Chicago in 1893 and a series of lectures in the US and England, has turned out to be a major attraction for tourists.
It was built on a 5-acre land donated by the Maraikayar family of Mandapam.
It was on the 26th January, 1897, Swami Vivekananda returned to India by a steamer from Sri Lanka after undertaking a historic tour to western countries and spoke at various universities, institutions on India, its culture, people, Hinduism and other things.
The towering building with the background of sea attracts the Rameswaram bound pilgrims and tourists when they drive on Pamban road bridge, another architectural marvel in the region.
It automatically induces them to visit the memorial, which has a huge statue of Swami Vivekananda, his messages, ideals, principles, museum and silence hall. A statue of Bhaskara Sethupathy, erstwhile Raja of Ramnad, who played a key role in sending him to the USA, has also been installed in memory of his great service. Since it is situated on the bank of the Gulf of Mannar, it has given value addition to the beautiful beach too.
A sea shore view of the Vevikananda memorial at Kundhukal in Ramanathapuram district.
Actual historical story of this place and name.
When Vivekananda returned from US, he reached Colombo and from there, he came to Danuskodi by a boat and from there to Pamban. When he was about to land at Kundukal, Raja was waiting with his entourage to give him a royal welcome there. Because of the achievement of Swamiji and as well as the regard, the Raja had for him, he reverentially bowed his head and offered it as step for Vivekananda to land from the boat as Vivekananda was coming back to Mother land after five years. But, Swamiji tactfully avoided by jumping from the boat on the land. Raja erected a Victory pillar of 25 feet height with the Upanishad expression “Satyameva Jayate”. Swamiji recorded this in his letter to an American disciple. However, the pillar disappeared 25 years ago.
Now the monument tells everything about the historical returning to the home land.
{kundukal ...(குந்துகால்)the king knelt down on his knees.this place itself called as in the name.}
