Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), May 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kanyakumari on Thursday evening to undertake a 45-hour long meditation at the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial at mid sea, ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha election results.
The PM arrived in an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram at the helipad arranged inside the government guest house.
After taking few minutes rest, he proceeded to the historic Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple, one of the “108 Shakthi Peedams” dedicated to goddess Devi Kanyakumari at the seashore and offered prayers.
He was given a traditional welcome with “Poorna Kumbha” honours by the temple priests.
Special poojas were performed to the deity.
Clad in the traditional “Veshti” (dhoti} and angavastram, the Prime Minister circumambulates the sanctum sanctorum after worshipping the presiding deity.
A portrait of goddess Bhagavathi Amman was presented to Modi on behalf of the temple administration.
Later, he had sailed to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in a special boat, where he will be meditating through the day and night at the Dhyana Mandapam, a meditation hall inside the memorial from this evening till June one.
After completing his meditation session, the PM is likely to visit the famous Thiruvalluvar Statue, a Tamil saint near the memorial.
Since it is a spiritual tour, party leaders were not allowed to either receive or accompany Modi during his visit.
A multi-layered security blanket has been thrown over Kanyakumari in view of the PM’s visit.
The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard ships have been deployed for a round-the-clock patrolling along the waters close to the shoreline, while the Coastal Security Group (CSG) of Tamil Nadu Marine Police were also keeping a high vigil.
Fishermen along the Kanyakumari coast were barred from fishing activities for three days as part of the security measures.
It was believed that Swami Vivekananda meditated for three days and nights on the rock mid-sea until he attained “enlightenment.”
The memorial, built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda attracts millions of tourists every year from all over the country and abroad.
