Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a long meditation session at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari after concluding his 2024 election campaign on May 30.
This visit has sparked controversy among opposition parties, particularly the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Congress, who argue that it has caused inconvenience to tourists and make unnecessary allegations that it is a tactic to continue campaigning indirectly.
Despite the criticism, Kanyakumari holds a special place in Bharat’s sacred geography. Located at the southernmost tip of the Bharatiya peninsula, it is the meeting point of three seas: the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.
Bathing at this confluence is considered highly auspicious by many. Kanyakumari is also home to one of the Shakti Peethas, sacred sites dedicated to the goddess Shakti.
The Bhagavathy Amman temple, situated on the shore, is dedicated to Kanyakumari Devi, a form of Goddess Parvathi. According to legend, the goddess incarnated here to defeat the demon Banasura. It is believed that Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, built this temple.
The temple’s mythology tells of Devi’s intended marriage to Lord Shiva. Preparations were made for their wedding, but Sage Narada, realizing that marriage would prevent Devi from killing Banasura, tricked Shiva into thinking the auspicious time for the wedding had passed. As a result, Lord Shiva returned without marrying her. In her anger, Devi threw away all the prepared food, which is believed to be the reason for the multicolored sand found in the area. She then undertook intense penance, during which she defeated Banasura.
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, where Prime Minister Modi is meditating, holds significant spiritual importance. It is believed to be the spot where Kanyakumari Devi meditated while waiting for Lord Shiva. The site, known as ‘Sripada Mandapa’, features the footprints of the goddess.
Nearby, the Thanumalayan Swamy Temple in Suchindram and the Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil are also important religious sites. The former uniquely worships the Hindu trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—in a single linga, while the latter is dedicated to Nagaraja, the king of serpents, along with shrines for Ananthakrishna and Shiva.
The region also has a connection to the Ramayana. A hill called Marunthuvazh Malai is believed to be a fragment of the Sanjeevani mountain that Lord Hanuman carried.
Kanyakumari’s rich spiritual heritage and numerous temples make it a significant pilgrimage destination. Opposition parties could have welcomed the Prime Minister’s visit, recognizing that it could draw more attention to the area’s cultural and religious significance. Increased awareness could boost tourism, benefiting the local economy and raising cultural literacy.
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The impact of such visits is evident from the example of Lakshadweep. Following Prime Minister Modi’s visit there, interest in the islands surged dramatically, with reports of a 3,400 percent increase in related travel searches.
In light of this, a more constructive approach from the opposition might be to acknowledge the potential benefits of the Prime Minister’s visit to Kanyakumari. More tourists could lead to better opportunities for locals and increased revenue for the government, ultimately benefiting the region.
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