Overview
- Features: Exhibition on Swami Vivekananda as a ‘Wandering Monk’ in India
- Opening Times: 8am to 12pm & 4pm to 8pm, daily
- Best Time to Visit: Any time of year
- Duration: 1 hour
- Travelled By: Foot
- Cost: Rs 10
- Address: Beach Road, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India
- Type: Museum
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Summary
Also known as the Wandering Monk Museum, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari has an informative exhibition on the life and work of Swami Vivekananda. This newly refurbished exhibition details Swami Vivekananda’s wisdom, sayings and encounters with the mighty and the lowly during his five years as a wandering monk around India from 1888 to 1893.
Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari
Also known as the Wandering Monk Museum, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari has an informative exhibition on the life and work of Swami Vivekananda. It details the life and extensive journey across India made by the famous Indian religious leader and philosopher Swami Vivekananda (the ‘Wandering Monk’, 1863-1902), who developed a synthesis between the tenets of Hinduism and concepts of social justice. This newly refurbished exhibition details Swami Vivekananda’s wisdom, sayings and encounters with the mighty and the lowly during his five years as a wandering monk around India from 1888 to 1893.
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The terracotta panels depict Swami Vivekananda’s Bharat Parikrama through illustrative pictures and black-and-white photographs along with descriptions in English, Hindu and Tamil. There are more than 50 panels narrating his life and journey around India. While the details on each panel are thorough and informative, they can be a bit exhaustive after a while.
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Note the beautifully decorated elephants outside the entrance to the museum. They add a bit of glamour to the otherwise simple and monotonous interior.
The spiritual organisation Vivekananda Kendra, devoted to carrying out Vivekananda’s teachings, has its headquarters at Vivekanandapuram, an ashram 1 km north of town. A photo exhibition here (admission free; timings 9am-1pm & 5-9pm) provides a snapshot of Indian philosophy, religion, leaders and thinkers. It can be reached by an easy walk along the beach though there is no access from the north side. The Yoga Kendra there runs courses from June to December.
Getting to & from Vivekananda Kendra
Located on Beach Road, near the corner of Main and Kovalam Roads, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari can be easily reached on foot. It is not far from the boating dock for Vivekananda Rock and makes for an enjoyable walk around town. Alternatively, you can hire an auto rickshaw, taxi or private car to get here if you don’t feel up to the walk.
