Tamil Nadu: Security stepped up ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu): A multi-layered security blanket has been thrown over Kanyakumari in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial on a three-day spiritual tour to undertake 45-hour-long meditation on Thursday ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha election results.

Official sources said here on Wednesday that the Prime Minister is expected to land at the helipad in the government guesthouse in a helicopter at 03.55 pm tomorrow.

Modi will leave to the historic Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple, one of the "108 Shakthi Peedams” dedicated to goddess Devi Kanyakumari, at the seashore to offer special prayers.

Later, he will set sail in a boat from the state-run Poompuhar Shipping Corporation’s jetty to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, located about 1.5 km away from the mainland, where he will be meditating through the day and night at the Dhyana Mandapam, a meditation hall inside the memorial, till June 1.

The Prime Minister is also likely to visit the famous Thiruvalluvar Statue, a Tamil saint, before commencing his meditation.

Meanwhile, the Indian maritime forces have stepped up surveillance around the memorial.

The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard ships have been deployed for round-the-clock patrolling along the water close to the shoreline, while the Coastal Security Group (CSG) of Tamil Nadu Marine Police also keeps vigil.