PM Modi arrives in Kanyakumari for 45-hour 'Dhyan' at Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kanyakumari on Thursday to meditate at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial until the evening of June 1. This visit marks the conclusion of his campaign for the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Arrival and activities

Upon his arrival, PM Modi first offered prayers at the Bhagavathy Amman Temple. He then proceeded to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, where he will meditate at Dhyan Mandapam, the site where Swami Vivekananda is believed to have had a divine vision of 'Bharat Mata'. Modi’s meditation will last from Thursday evening to Saturday evening, June 1.

Security measures have been heightened for Modi’s visit. Around 2,000 police personnel, along with the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy, are ensuring tight security. The beach will be closed to tourists, and private boats will be restricted during this period.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Sixth Phase sees 63.37% voter turnout, reports Election Commission

Previous meditation retreats

Modi has taken similar breaks after election campaigns before. In 2014, he visited Pratapgarh, known for a historic battle involving Shivaji, and in 2019, he meditated in a special cave in Kedarnath.

The Congress party has opposed Modi’s visit, claiming it violates the model code of conduct by potentially circumventing the election silence period. They have filed a complaint with the Election Commission, urging them to prevent media coverage of Modi’s meditation. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that this meditation is essentially a form of campaigning during a restricted period.

ALSO READ: Arvind Kejriwal questions arrest following PM Modi's remarks: 'Why was I arrested?

Campaigning for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections ended on Thursday evening. Polling is scheduled for June 1 in 57 seats across seven states and the Union territory of Chandigarh. Modi is seeking a third consecutive term from Varanasi.

Since the Lok Sabha poll schedule was announced on March 16, PM Modi has participated in 206 public outreach events, surpassing his 145 engagements in the 2019 elections. This campaign period lasted 76 days, compared to 68 days in the previous election.

Overall, Modi’s meditation at Vivekananda Rock Memorial serves as a significant end to his intensive campaign trail, highlighting his dedication to both spiritual and public life.