61-577: Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument and popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari , India 's southernmost tip. The memorial stands on one of the two rocks located about 500 meters off mainland of Vavathurai, Tamil Nadu . It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda , who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. According to legends, it was on this rock that Goddess Kanyakumari ( Parvathi ) performed tapas in devotion of lord Shiva . A meditation hall known as Dhyana Mandapam
122-631: A group of people formed the Kanyakumari Committee, whose objective was to put up a memorial on the rock and a pedestrian bridge leading to the rock. Almost simultaneously, the Ramakrishna Mission in Madras began planning this memorial. However, this news was not taken in good taste by a sizable population of the local Catholic fishermen. They put up a big Cross on the rock, visible from the shore. This led to protests by
183-464: A height of 29 metres (95 feet) and stands upon an 11.5-metre (38 ft) rock that represents the 38 chapters of virtue in the Thirukkural . The statue standing on the rock represents wealth and pleasures, signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue. The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 ft (40.5 m), denoting the 133 chapters in
244-405: A huge love towards Tamil language. He had many discourses with esteemed Tamil Scholars. He also bought in the practice of conducting the "Paavai Nonbu Padal Poti"(Margazhi month Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai singing competition) for young children. He made radical social changes by allowing devotees inside the temple premises. The day India became independent on August 15th 1947 , he gave a speech on
305-491: A huge structure on it; the logistics of quarrying and transporting large blocks of stone from great distances, and from the shore to the Rock; provision of water and power supplies; the growing demand for skilled artisans, craftsmen, and labor; building of jetty platforms on the rock and the shore (the pedestrian footbridge idea to the Rock was dropped); the de-silting around the jetty platform areas to enable bigger crafts to approach
366-482: A long time. The opportunity to welcome His Holiness in a manner that was exponentially greater than receptions given to kings and viceroys, was accorded to me, along with my supporters: Sri M.Kandaswamy Servai, Sri. R.Srinivasa Iyengar, the lawyer and the larger public. The procession that was seven miles long, was preceded by seven groups of nadaswaram players, three band groups, four elephants, many horses and camels, instrumental players, Bhajan singers, Seva Samitis. I had
427-735: A point where three oceans meet: the Bay of Bengal , the Laccadive Sea , which is connected to the Indian Ocean , and the Arabian Sea . Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument was raised and dedicated to K. Kamarajar , a freedom fighter, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and President of Indian National Congress. He is also popularly known as "Black Gandhi" among the masses. Like the Gandhi Memorial Mandapam, this monument
488-403: A total of 119 marginal workers: 4 marginal cultivators, 3 marginal agricultural labourers, 11 marginal workers in household industries, and 101 other marginal workers. Kanyakumari is located at 8°05′N 77°34′E / 8.08°N 77.57°E / 8.08; 77.57 and has an average elevation of 30 metres. The peninsular tip of Kanyakumari is bordered on three sides by
549-545: Is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport , 90 km (56 mi) from Kanyakumari town and 70 km (43 mi) from Nagercoil. Kanyakumari is 744 km (462 mi) from Chennai. Kanyakumari has heliports for VVIP visitors at the Tri Sea Hotel on Beach Road. Paramacharya Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Mahaswamigal (born in a Kannada Smartha family as Swaminathan Shasthri ; 20 May 1894 – 8 January 1994) also known as
610-550: Is a 3,000-year-old temple dedicated to Goddess Kumari Amman located at Kanyakumari on the shore of the Laccadive Sea. Kumari Amman is one of the forms of Devi, popularly known as "Kumari Bhagavathy Amman". The temple is the first Durga temple created by Lord Parasurama and one of the 108 Shakthi Peethas. It is mentioned in the Ramayana , Mahabharata , and Purananuru . The Gandhi Memorial Mandapam has been built on
671-470: Is a city in Kanyakumari district in the state of Tamil Nadu , India . It is the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent and the southernmost city in mainland India , and thus referred to as "The Land's End". The city is situated 90 kilometres (56 mi) south of Thiruvananthapuram city, and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Nagercoil , the headquarters of Kanyakumari district. Kanyakumari
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#1732766203561732-494: Is a popular tourist destination and pilgrimage centre in India. Notable tourist spots include its unique sunrise and sunset points, the 41-metre (133 ft) Thiruvalluvar Statue , and Vivekananda Rock Memorial off the coast. Lying at the tip of peninsular India, the town is bordered on the west, south, and east by the Laccadive Sea . It has a coastline of 71.5 kilometres (44.4 mi) stretched along these three sides. On
793-594: Is also Sri Padaparai Mandapam which is a shrine erected at the spot where the footprint of the Virgin Goddess is seen on the rock. The statue of Swami Vivekananda was sculpted by Narayanrao Sonavadekar, a sculptor and a professor at the J. J. School of Arts, Mumbai. Kanyakumari Kanyakumari ( UK : / k ə n ˈ j ʌ k ʊ m æ r iː / ; lit. ' The Virgin (or Kanya) Princess ' referring to Devi Kanya Kumari , officially known as Kanniyakumari , formerly known as Cape Comorin )
854-704: Is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. The rocks are surrounded by the Laccadive Sea where the three oceans Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meets. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam . It is believed that Swami Vivekananda, swam across
915-614: Is believed to remove the rigidity from the mind, and women pray for marriage at her temple. In 1656, the Dutch East India Company conquered Portuguese Ceylon from the Portuguese East Indies , and the name eventually corrupted to "Comorin" and was called "Cape Comorin" during British rule in India . In 2016, the town and its district were renamed to "Kanniyakumari" by the Government of India and
976-421: Is part of the common Hindustani phrase used to describe the length of India: "Kashmir se Kanyakumari"; before the partition, the phrase in undivided India was "Khyber se Kanyakumari". However, the southernmost point of Republic of India is at Indira Point on Great Nicobar Island , at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E. The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 7,000-ton stone statue of poet and philosopher Valluvar . It has
1037-469: Is restricted for tourists. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks in the Laccadive Sea, located about 500 metres (1,600 ft) east of the mainland of Vavathurai. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. According to local legends, it
1098-475: Is where Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion into the sea. Near Kanyakumari's southern shore stands a monument to the memory of those who died in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami , an underwater megathrust earthquake that claimed around 230,000 lives in many countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Thailand, Maldives, and Indonesia. The state-owned Poompuhar Shipping Corporation runs ferry services between
1159-403: The Government of Madras . According to a Hindu legend, Kanya Devi , an avatar of Parvati , was to marry Shiva , who failed to show up on his wedding day. Rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked and unused. The uncooked grains turned into stones as time went by. Some believe that the small stones on the shore today, which look like rice, are indeed grains from
1220-604: The Hindu population, who said the rock was a place of worship for Hindus. A judicial probe ordered by the Madras (now Chennai) government stated in unequivocal terms that the rock was Vivekananda Rock and that the Cross was a trespass. Amid all this acrimony, the Cross was removed secretly in the night. The situation turned volatile, and the rock was declared a prohibited area, with armed guards patrolling it. The government realized that
1281-487: The Laccadive Sea . It is located at the confluence of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats . The nearest city is Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala (85 km (53 mi) away), and the nearest town is Nagercoil , the administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari district (22 km (14 mi) away). Kanyakumari is at the southern tip and is the southernmost point of the contiguous Indian Subcontinent . As such, it
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#17327662035611342-604: The Sage of Kanchi or Mahaperiyavar (meaning, "The great elder") was the 68th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Moolamnaya Saravjna Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham . Mahaperiyavar's discourses have been recorded in a Tamil book titled "Deivathin Kural" ( Voice of God ). Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal (born Swaminathan Shasthri) was born on 20 May 1894. He was brought up in
1403-625: The Thirukkural . The statue is reminiscent of a dancing pose of Nataraja . It was sculpted by the Indian sculptor V. Ganapati Sthapati , who also created the Iraivan Temple , and its opening ceremony was on 1 January 2000. The monument was hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004, but stood unaffected. The statue is designed to survive earthquakes of high magnitude. During maintenance work, as well as during rough sea, entry
1464-587: The Himalayas to Lanka ( Sri Lanka ) during the Ramayana War . The fallen earth formed an area called Marunthuvazh Malai , literally "hills where medicine lives". This legend explains the abundance of unique native medicinal plants in the area. Marunthuvazh Malai is located near Kottaram, about 7 km (4 mi) from Kanyakumari town on the Kanyakumari–Nagercoil highway. The sage Agasthya , who
1525-488: The Indian hinterland. These included devotional practices and daily rituals such as performing various Poojas and recitations of the Vedas . Iyengars (who were not part of the mutt), various sub castes and Abrahamic followers became his devotees. He carried the responsibility effortlessly and made simple practices for devotees to increase devotion, like chanting and writing the holy name of Rama . Devotees soon realized he
1586-684: The Matha (or mutt) from 1911 to 1915 until he turned twenty-one in May 1915. I had a bath at the Kumara Koshta Thirtha. A carriage of the Mutt had come there from Kalavai with the people to buy articles for the Maha Puja on the tenth day of the passing of the previous 66th Acharya. One of them, a hereditary maistry (mason) of the Mutt, asked me to accompany him. A separate cart was engaged for
1647-556: The ability of the priests to clarify his doubts, he met the Kanchi Sankaracharya and, getting satisfactory answers from him, reconverted to Hinduism. The Indian National Congress , in the decade of the 1920s, started organising the Non-Cooperation Movement , which involved getting many people to protest on the streets. F.G.Natesa Iyer, the leading Congress activist of Tiruchirappalli then, as also
1708-400: The ancient practice of sanatana dharma , travelling throughout the country offering guidance, founding schools and providing for the people. Mahaperiyava reconverted Indian National Congress leader F. G. Natesa Iyer from Christianity to Hinduism. Iyer, as a boy of ten, took shelter with Englishmen who brought him up and converted him to Christianity. Twenty years later, dissatisfied with
1769-403: The blessing to hold the front side of the ivory palanquin where our guru for the whole world, Sri Sankaracharya Swamigal was seated. He gave darshan to numerous people lined on both sides of the roads, in every floor, irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. There was no count of arathis, Poorna kumbams, garlands, asthika goshams. The procession that started at 6 pm ended at 10 pm in front of
1830-516: The central part of the southern state of Tamil Nadu , Villupuram , South Arcot District . Kannada Smartha Brahmin Rig Vedic family that had migrated to Tamil Nadu generations earlier. Subrahmanya Sastri worked as a teacher having entered the educational service. His mother Mahalakshmi was also from a Kannada Brahmin family from the village of Eachangudi near Tiruvaiyaru. Swaminathan was the second child of his parents. His younger brother later became
1891-697: The common masses on diverse aspects of dharma , ancient culture, and a variety of subjects. He delivered the discourses on simple verandahs, river beds and sabhas (smaller halls) unlike in the 21st century. The discourses "Deivathin Kural" (The Voice of God) [1] were compiled by his disciple R.Ganapathi and published in English and Tamil as. [2] It has been also translated to other Indian languages. Discourses were related to various subjects across different topics, which are well researched and well advised. His discourses were important for his devotees and others across India suffering from lack of devotion. He brought back
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1952-524: The design of Ramakrishna Math , Belur, West Bengal. He was deeply appreciated by Bhaktavatsalam for its aesthetic quality. This mandapa , which is erected in honor of Vivekananda, consists of the following sections: This square hall consists of the following structures. Both the Mandapams are so designed that the vision of Vivekananda in the statue would be seen direct towards the Shripadam. There
2013-591: The elected Mayor, took this opportunity to convert the movement to also show support for the Mahaperiyava. He described the occasion, thus: "I was nominated by the public as the chairman of the Reception Committee for arranging a reception for the Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. As the municipal chairman, it was my duty to provide a proper welcome and respect to Swamigal who was visiting after
2074-583: The following message of Swami Vivekananda: A hundred thousand men and women, fired with the zeal of holiness, fortified with 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 salvation, the gospel of help, the gospel of social raising up, the gospel of equality. The twin objectives of Vivekananda Kendra are man-making and nation-building. Ranade decided that Vivekananda Kendra
2135-527: The great Hindu philosopher and reformist. Mahaperiyava renovated multiple temples across India and increased the recitals of sacred texts like the Vishnu Sahasranāma (which was not allowed by women at the time). Mahaperiyava helped Vedic priests on their pronunciation of the holy Sanskrit texts and implemented rigorous Agama Sastra teachings describing cosmology, epistemology, philosophical doctrines, precepts on meditation and other topics. He also had
2196-494: The great yogi Sivan SAR. Shaivism/Tantra/Nath New movements Kashmir Shaivism Gaudapada Adi Shankara Advaita-Yoga Nath Kashmir Shaivism Neo-Vedanta Inchegeri Sampradaya Contemporary Shaivism/Tantra/Nath Neo-Advaita Hinduism Buddhism Modern Advaita Vedanta Neo-Vedanta Swaminathan's upanayanam was performed in Tindivanam in 1905 and it
2257-558: The latter for suggesting the design of the Rock Memorial. Bhaktavatsalam unhesitatingly agreed to the larger design (130 feet and 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 inches × 56 feet) approved by the Paramacharya. Once all the political hurdles were removed, construction was underway. Ranade was in the forefront facing all the challenges that came his way: to establish scientifically that the Rock was structurally sound and could support such
2318-778: The memorial to come up as Humayun Kabir , the Union Minister for Cultural Affairs, had said that the natural beauty of the Rock would be spoiled. Kabir's constituency was Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). When Ranade publicised in Kolkata that it was Kabir who was against the creation of a Memorial of one of the greatest sons of Bengal , there was such a hue and cry that Kabir had to do a volte-face. However, to prevail over Bhaktavatsalam, only Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru 's support would do. To that end, on Lal Bahadur Shastri 's advice, Ranade camped in Delhi. In three days, he collected
2379-524: The nation, which was used to mobilize the donations of the common man, starting from as tiny an amount as a rupee. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial was inaugurated in 1970 and dedicated to the nation. The establishment of Vivekananda Kendra —the Living Memorial alongside the stone structure of the Rock Memorial—was mentioned in 1964. After the groundwork of about nine years, Vivekananda Kendra
2440-474: The rest of the family to follow me. During the journey, the maistry hinted to me that I might not return home and that the rest of my life might be spent in the Mutt itself. At first, I thought that my elder cousin had become the Head of the Mutt, it was his wish that I should live with him. But the maistry gradually clarified matters as the cart rolled on. The Acharya had a fever which developed into delirium and that
2501-596: The rock was turning into an area of dispute, with Hindus claiming it to be the Vivekananda Rock and the Christians claiming that it was St. Xavier 's Rock. It decreed that although the rock was Vivekananda Rock, there would be no memorial constructed on it. The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Bhaktavatsalam , said that only a tablet declaring that the rock was associated with Swami Vivekananda could be put up, and nothing else. With government's permission,
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2562-462: The seashore in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu to reach the rock mid-sea and he meditated for three days and nights on the rock until he is said to have attained enlightenment there a basis for Kanyakumari resolve of 1892 . There are several statements in many books that Swami Vivekananda swam and got enlightenment at this place. In January 1962, on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth centenary,
2623-532: The sex ratio (number of females per thousand males) of the town 997. A total of 2,403 people were under six years of age and the child sex ratio (number of females per thousand males under six years of age) stood at 1,024. The town had an average literacy of 88.62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. There were a total of 4,236 households in the town. As of 2001, Kanyakumari had a total of 5,929 main workers: 11 cultivators, 78 agricultural labourers , 66 in household industries, and 5,774 other workers. There were
2684-497: The shore, and so on. The biggest and ever-present challenge, however, was that of financing the whole operation. Ranade's belief in the success of the Rock Memorial mission was so strong, that he never slowed the pace of work when funds were in paucity. He brushed aside the discouragement of others whose belief was not as strong and started a fund-campaign. Ranade believed that as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial
2745-458: The shores of the city is a temple dedicated to the goddess Kanya Kumari (the virgin goddess), after which the town is named. Kanyakumari has been a town since the Sangam period and was referred to in old Malayalam literature and in the accounts of Ptolemy and Marco Polo . The place derives its name from the goddess Kanya Kumari , considered to be the sister of Krishna . The goddess
2806-530: The signatures of 323 Members of Parliament in a show of all-round support for the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which was presented to the Prime Minister. Bhaktavatsalam had no option now but to allow the construction of the Rock Memorial. Bhaktavatsalam had given permission only for a small 15 × 15-foot shrine. Knowing his reverence for the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham , Ranade approached
2867-576: The significance of the flag and the Dharma chakra in it. He died without celebrating his centenary on 8 January 1994. His attainment of Videhamukti invited devotees to go beyond numerology and believe only the name of god in their lifespan. As a religious head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham obliged to spiritual duties, Mahaperiyava travelled across the country by foot and started giving discourses. On several occasions he addressed
2928-467: The spot where the urn containing the Mahatma 's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling central Indian Hindu temples in form,the memorial was designed such that on Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept. Kanyakumari Pier or Sunset View Point is considered one of the iconic locations in Kanyakumari. It is situated at
2989-702: The tablet was installed on the rock on 17 January 1963. The first step Eknath Ranade took on being asked to take charge of the Rock Memorial work was to ascertain that this effort had the full support of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. He was made the Organising Secretary of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee, so that he was officially in charge of the Rock Memorial mission. The immediate obstacles were Bhaktavatsalam 's stand that he would not allow
3050-497: The town and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue , both situated on rocky islets off the coast. The operation of the ferry service began in 1984. Two ferries were used until June 2013, after which a third ferry was added to the service on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Swamy Vivekananda . The Kanyakumari railway station and nearby Nagercoil railway station offer direct connection by rail to almost all metropolitan cities in India. The nearest airport
3111-733: The usual training given to the seers, he was well-trained in the Vedas, Puranas, various Hindu texts and ancient Indian literature. The Acharya was fifteen years old in 1909. For two years he studied under the pandits of the Matha at Kumbakonam . From 1911 to 1914 he studied in Mahendramangalam, a tiny village on the Northern bank of Akhanda Kaveri. The Acharya showed interest in subjects such as photography, mathematics and astronomy. He returned to Kumbakonam in 1914. The Court of Wards managed
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#17327662035613172-470: The wedding that was never solemnised. Kanya Devi is now considered a virgin goddess who blesses pilgrims and tourists who flock to the town. Her temple in Kanyakumari is a Shakta pitha : a holy shrine in the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism. According to another Hindu legend, Hanuman dropped a piece of earth near Kanyakumari as he was carrying a mountain with his life-saving herb, Mrita Sanjivani, from
3233-443: Was a national monument; every Indian should be invited to contribute to its construction. He approached almost every state government and asked for their contribution, making a special effort to go to the north-eastern states of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh so that they could also feel a part of the national endeavor. The bulk of the contributions came from the general public. Ranade launched the campaign of one-rupee folders throughout
3294-451: Was an expert in medicinal herbs, is believed to have lived around this site in ancient days. There is an ashram on the middle of the hillside; tourists trek up to visit the ashram and to glimpse the sea near Kanyakumari town, a few kilometres away. As per the 2011 Census , Kanyakumari town consisted of 61.16% Christians , 32.97% Hindus , and 5.47% Muslims . It had a population of 19,739, comprising 9,884 males and 9,855 females, making
3355-587: Was during his upbringing that he became well versed in the Vedas and started performing pujas . In 1906 the 66th Acharya of Kamakoti Pitha, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VI, was camping in Perumukkal , a small village near Tindivanam in observance of the Chaturmasya vrata . The 66th Acharya attained siddhi and died in Kalavai , only 1 week after ascending the position and Swaminathan's maternal cousin
3416-476: Was installed as the 67th Acharya . The 67th Acharya had a fever, attained siddhi and died. Due to the unexpected turn of events, Swaminathan was installed as the next Acharya. Swaminathan ascended the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham on Paraabhava Tamil Year Maasi Tamil Month Moolam Star in the year 1907 (13th February 1907) as the 68th Acharya with the Sannyasashrama nama Chandrasekharendra Saraswati . As per
3477-511: Was not a normal person and labelled him a Jagadguru (lit. the guru of the universe) for his help in rectifying their issues. Mahaperiyava dedicated his life to the deity Kamakshi in the premises where he was the spiritual guru, Kamakshi Amman temple . The temple is where the goddess herself came personally for devotion to Shiva . Throughout his life, Mahaperiyava breathed and practised the Advaita philosophy of his guru, Adi Shankaracharya ,
3538-598: Was officially founded on 7 January 1972 (the 108th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda by the Hindu calendar). On that day, as the sun rose, a saffron flag with Om inscribed on it was unfurled on the Vivekananda Rock Memorial to celebrate the founding of the Vivekananda Kendra: a spiritually oriented service mission of a non-monastic order. The tradition of penance was to be continued by young men and women coming as Karyakartas of Vivekananda Kendra to spread
3599-553: Was on this rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity. A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The memorial consists of two main structures: the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. Bhagavathy Amman Temple
3660-432: Was to be a cadre-based organization. Young men and women whose hearts long to serve the nation would be provided the opportunity and the right platform to serve God in man. When Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial was blueprinted, it was modeled by E. Thanumalayan, a student of the S. T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. He modeled it with paraffin wax. The Memorial is the fusion of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu architecture and
3721-539: Was why I was separated from the family to be taken to Kalavai. I was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. I lay in a kneeling posture in the cart, shocked as I was, repeating “Rama… Rama,” the only prayer I knew. My mother and other children came sometime later only to find that instead of her mission of consoling her sister, she was placed in the state of having to be consoled . — Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Mahaswamigal Mahaperiyava started spreading his knowledge in spiritual journeys across
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