Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari

- a spiritually oriented service mission -

Swami Vivekananda, in search of His life Mission, the Mother’s work He went around Bharat………

and finally reached Land's End – Kanyakumari.

.....…………...Here on the Rock HE meditated on Bharata - its glorious past, challenging present and destined future. HE had a vision of the destiny of Bharat, and the way to its regeneration.

“If there is a land on this earth that can lay claim to be the blessed Punya-Bhoomi, to be the land to which souls on this earth must come to attain

its last home, the land where humanity has attained its highest towards gentleness, towards generousity, towards purity, towards calmness,

above all, the land of introspection and of spirituality – it is Bharat! Destiny of Bharat –

Guide to the World……..Spiritual Lighthouse of the World!

Swami Vivekananda then went to World Parliament of Religions, and showed the World the way.....in Bharat, Hinduism, Vedanta. World was awed by this

Spiritual light.

“I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the World both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration but we accept all religion as true.”

He established Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission and began

Organised efforts to uphold the Dharma.

“Divinity of Man.” Greatest Message of Swami Vivekananda

Swamiji inspired youths, leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs…… whole

generation, and generations to come to develop their potential fully and apply

it for common good

“It may be that I shall find it good outside of my body - to cast it off like a disused garment. But I

shall not cease to work! I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is

one with God."

After having set the movement of regeneration of Bharat and the humanity through his message and work, Swamiji took Mahasamadhi on 4th July 1902.

1963, the centenary year of Swamiji's Birth.Celebrations went on to mark the occasion and

remember the great transformer of Humanity.

A thought ………….Should there not be a befitting memorial on the Rock where He

meditated on Glorious Bharatmata, understood the purpose of His life?

Eknathji entered…..

The Thought was opposed.A man with gigantic will power, who could surmount all the difficulties was needed.Param Poojaneeya Guruji asked Mananeeya Eknathji to take up the work who had studied Swamiji, compiled Rousing Call to Hindu Nation… a befitting person for a befitting Memorial

Eknathji overcame all obstacles – political, technical, economical - turning them into opportunities. He effectively won over the support of 323 Members of Parliament, got contribution from over 30 lakhs people and all State Governments for the construction of the

Memorial – making it truly the National Memorial.

Glimpses of Rock Memorial Construction

On 2 Sep 1970, Memorial was dedicated to the Nation. .

For two months, the inauguration went on, pilgrims from all

over India came & felt blessed to see the Grand Memorial.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial – a memorial in Granite – the first phase got completed

in 1970….something more was awaiting…

…..a thought movement

“A hundred thousand men & women, fired with the zeal of holiness, fortified with the eternal faith in the Lord, and nerved to lion’s courage by their sympathy for the poor and the fallen and the downtrodden, will go over the length and breadth of the land, preaching the gospel of the salvation, the gospel of help, the gospel of social raising up, the gospel of equality.”

Swamiji had plan for rejuvenating Bharat…

Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade The spirit behind Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Vivekananda Kendra .. A thought movement – a Living Memorial of Swamiji – 07 January 1972

An aggregate or a congregation of men does not make a nation, nor do the geographical area and duration of time qualify a society

to be known as a nation. A government formed on such a basis can be called a

state, but not a nation. It is common goal or mission that makes a nation. All the

constituents strive collectively for something noble….Service with spiritual orientation

results in man-making which invariably and inseparably is connected with nation

building. It is the core of all our thoughts behind Vivekananda Kendra.

Eknathji’s thought behind Vivekananda Kendra

Yoga (the Core of Vivekananda

Kendra)

Bringing together the scattered spiritual forces for National Union – Rashtra Nirman –

Process of Man making for Nation Building.

Twin Objectives

Man Making - Nation Building

To develop National character of a man, To develop creative leadership amongst the society,

To transform an ordinary man to do extraordinary work through Team Building.

….

Swadhyaya Varga – Coming together, thinking together and working together for national resurgence.

Yoga Varga – to integrate individual with the society and establish the Yoga way of life in all.

Samskar Varga – to instill nationalism, cultural values and total personality development in children.

Karyapadhdhati – the Methodology

Utsavas

“Guru Poornima”

“Universal Brotherhood Day”

“Sadhana Diwas”

“Samarth Bharat Parva”

“Gita Jayanti”

Vivekananda Kendra Utsavas are with national perspective – to awaken national consciousness.

Also, for revitalizing the significance of the principles behind the Utsavas.

Guru Poornima(Ashadh Poornima)

Objective:To inculcate respect & pride towards our Forefathers – Remembrance of our Guru, OM -Ishwara – to prepare ourselves as an instrument in his hands to do his work with attitude of Sadhana.

Programs: Bhajans, lectures and discussions on Guru-Shishya tradition, and its contemporary significance.

Universal Brotherhood Day(11th September)

Objective: Commemorating Swamiji’s message of Universal Brotherhood - inclusiveness, not exclusiveness - delivered in World Parliament of Religions on 11th September 1893.

Programs: Competitions in schools, colleges; seminars, group-discussions, in-depth study of Swamiji’s teachings.

Sadhana Diwas(19th November - Eknath Jayanti)

Objective : Remembering the founder of Kendra, Studying his vision, to take up responsibility and fulfilling it .

Programs: Annual Meetings of Karyakartas organised, Dayitva Grahan by Karyakartas, Service as Sadhana.

Samarth Bharat Parva(From 25th December to 12 January every year.)

Objective:To awaken national consciousness in youth by focusing on the strengths of our nation.

Programs: Exhibition, lectures, Competitions, Display of cut-outs, and distribution of free literature, Bharatmata poojan.

Gita Jayanti(Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi)

Objective : To popularize Geeta Study for making life purposeful and to nourish ourselves with the vision of the Rishis.

Programs: Geeta recitation, lectures,Group discussions.

Shibirs

-Yoga Shiksha Shibir

-Spiritual Retreat

-Karyakarta Prashikshan Shibirs

-Acharya Prashikshan Shibir

-Youth Shibirs

Shibirs organised in Vivekanandapuram – awaken the dormant spirit – yoking it to development of self and

also the nation – ignited people alone can bring about the desired change.

1972 -Starting of Vivekananda Kendra Patrika (thematic half yearly English magazine)

1973 - Starting of Yuva Bharati – English Monthly

Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan TrustObjective : To spread the noble thoughts of Swami Vivekananda

and healthy literature to inspire youth with the message.

Activities : Publications in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Assamese and Tamil.

Location: Chennai, Jodhpur, Pune, Palitana and Guwahati.

Magazine Language

Yuva Bharati English

Kendra Bharati Hindi

Vivek Vani Tamil

Vivek Vichar Marathi

Vivek Sudha Gujarati

Vivek Jagruti Assamese+English

Vivekanada Kendra Patrika English

Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust

1973 - Training of Jeevanvrati Karyakartas and commencement of organizational and service activities

1977 - Establishment of first chain of Schools – Vivekananda Kendra

Vidyalayas – in North-East

“Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riots there, undigested all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, character –making,

assimilation of ideas.”

Today, there are 50 Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas in 6 States and more than 20,000 students are given

Man-Making, Character building education as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda

1981 Rural Development Project

Objective: To motivate rural people to adhere to and nurture the cherished values of Sanatana Dharma.

Activities : Drinking water, Relief programs, Cultural classes, Amudha Surubhi, aid to poor students, Balawadis, Cultural

competitions, Camps, Medical centres, Women’s activities, Youth programs, Eye care, Adopt a granny, Deep Poojas.

Location : Toothukudi, Tamilnadu

ANNA POOJADEEP POOJA

DRINKING WATERRELIEF PROGRAMS

HEALTH CARE OF AGEDWOMENS’ ACTIVITIES CULTURAL CLASSES

BALWADI

Rural Development Project

Vivekananda Rural Welfare ProjectObjective : Socio-Economic Project aimed at all round

development of Tribal Women

Activities: Training cum production centre in weaving, knitting, tailoring, embroidery, different agro based training and demonstration

and awareness camp.

Location: Khatkhati, Assam

Vivekananda Kendra Skill Training Projects

Objective : Basic Training in tailoring and vocational skills for rural girls and boys.

At Wakro, Seijosa, Dumporijo, Wakka in Arunachal Pradesh: & Kallubalu in Karnataka

1986 - Commencement of Natural Resources Development

Project – VK Nardep