Watch in pics: Magnificent Vivekananda rock memorial in Kanyakumari

New Delhi: The pristine rock where spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment, is where this memorial was built in December 1892.The memorial is located about 500 metres away from India's most southern tip, Kanyakumari. He became a reformer after meditating religiously for years on this rock.Here are some pictures of the memorial, a symbol of unity and purity: 1. After the groundwork of almost nine years, the memorial was inaugurated by then President of India Shri V.V. Giri on September 2, 1970. 2. A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. 3. The design of the Mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The merger of three seas - Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean can be seen from these rocks. 4. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. 5. The rock was earlier a disputed as the Hindus claiming it to be the Vivekananda Rock and Christians that it was St. Xavier's Rock. 6. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee had full support of Ramakrishna mission. 7. The Vivekananda Mandapam consists of: Dhyana Mandapam - The meditation Hall with six adjacent rooms; Sabha Mandapam - The Assembly Hall including Pralima Mandapam (statue section) two rooms, a corridor and an open prakaram (outer courtyard) round the Sabha Mandapam ; Mukha Mandapam; Front Entrance - The steps with two rooms and a corridor below the steps. 8. Shripada Mandapa consists of Garbha Graham - The sanctum sanctorum, Inner Prakaram, Outer Prakaram and Outer Platform. 9. There is also Sri Padaparai (Padam-feet; Parai - rock) Mandapam which is a shrine erected at the spot where the footprint of Goddess Kumari is seen on the rock.