One of the magnificent traditional architectural marvels of modern India is the Vivekananda Shila Smarak. In India there are thousands of Teerth Kshetras– beautiful structures whose presence tells us the tales of our history. They articulate our national memories – ancient and more recent. But hardly any is as bustling and full of life as the Vivekananda Shila Smarak
–Dr Ujwala Chakradeo
The word teerth means water. The pilgrimage site cannot be complete without water. Therefore, all pilgrimage sites must have natural sources of water. If natural water is not available; tank, pond or any such water body is constructed as a part of the temple complex. Washing feet before entering the temple is also one of the rituals.
The combination of water and earth changes the course of the wind, and the wind blows in all directions making the environment soothing, cool and comfortable. Small droplets of water cause humidity in the air. Science has now proved that every particle of water has the ability to accommodate and store memories.
The incidents in the past, the penance of the worshippers and the attitude of the devotees who have visited the place in the past are available in the water and through the water in the atmosphere and make the entire air devotional.
Water has the potential of converting a place into a teerth kshetra. Vivekananda Shila Smarak at Kanyakumari is one such example of teerth kshetra where water has not only witnessed the spiritual events but has made the entire ambience pious. The southern-most tip of Bharat is marked by Kanyakumari, a sacred place which is bound by three oceans and land. Inspired by devotion to Shiva, Kanyakumari Devi performed penance on this rock. That is why the name of that rock was Shripadparai.
In 1892, Vivekananda went into intense penance on the same rock. In the vision that followed, he dreamed of a united India. From there, his work gained a different direction and strength.
Built-in 1970, this monument to Vivekananda is a symbol of that penance. Shripadparai Shila is now also called Vivekananda Shila. The atmosphere here and the importance of penance were engraved in the air.
(The columnist is Principal of SMM College of Architecture, Nagpur and specialises in Bharatiya Architectural Heritage)
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