Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari for a meditation retreat from May 30 to June 1, seeking spiritual solace at this historic site.
Sources from the Prime Minister’s Office revealed that PM Modi will meditate at the memorial, which holds significance as the place where Swami Vivekananda meditated and envisioned “Bharat Mata”. This visit aims to convey a message of unity and respect for Tamil Nadu, a State where Modi has invested considerable political capital this election season.
Kanyakumari, located at the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland, is a unique geographical point where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean converge. It also carries mythological importance as the site where Goddess Parvati meditated on one foot to attain Lord Shiva.
PM Modi’s spiritual journey continues a tradition of meditative retreats at the conclusion of significant political events. In 2019, he visited Kedarnath, and in 2014, he traveled to Pratapgarh, a historic battlefield where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fought Bijapur’s general Afzal Khan.
In anticipation of PM Modi’s visit, security has been significantly increased in and around Kanyakumari. According to his tentative schedule, he will depart from Thiruvananthapuram airport by helicopter on May 30 at 3:55 pm, arriving at the Kanyakumari helipad at 4:35 pm. After a brief stay at the state guest house, he will travel by boat to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, arriving at 5:40 pm. He will remain there until June 1 at 3:00 pm, before returning to Thiruvananthapuram.
Tirunelveli DIG Pravesh Kumar and SP E Sundaravathanam have inspected the security arrangements, which include deploying 2,000 police personnel and enhancing coastal security with the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy. During PM Modi’s stay, naval ships will be stationed in the Kanyakumari sea. The Special Protection Group will oversee all security measures.
PM Modi will travel to the rock memorial using a boat from Poompuhar Shipping Corporation, with three boats prepared for the journey. BJP sources indicated that party members are invited to greet Modi at the Kanyakumari helipad, while all other events will be managed by his security detail.
This visit coincides with the silent period before the final phase of polling on June 1, which covers 57 seats across seven states and one Union Territory.
