Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a 45-hour meditation session at the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, on June 1. This spiritual retreat comes at the end of his extensive campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. PM Modi is known for undertaking such spiritual journeys following election campaigns, having previously visited Uttarakhand's Kedarnath in 2019 and Pratapgarh in Maharashtra in 2014.
The first images of PM Modi at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, situated at the southernmost tip of India, were released by the BJP on May 31. Dressed in a saffron shirt, shawl, and dhoti, the Prime Minister was seen meditating and walking around the Dhyan Mandapam, where Swami Vivekananda meditated in 1892. Modi began his meditation on the evening of May 30 and embarked on his second and final day of meditation by performing the 'Surya Arghya' ritual at sunrise, which involves offering prayers to the sun.
Faith meets worship...
— BJP (@BJP4India) May 31, 2024
Glimpses from Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi's 45-hour long meditation session in Kanniyakumari. pic.twitter.com/Vvqxy02x4N
After arriving in Kanyakumari, the Prime Minister visited the Bhagavathi Amman temple to offer prayers before commencing his meditation. Security was heightened during his stay, with 2,000 police personnel deployed and vigilant monitoring by the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.
PM Modi’s spiritual retreat is seen as a reflection of his commitment to spirituality and mental well-being amidst the intense pressures of political life. His meditation period coincided with the conclusion of the fifth phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections, which ended on May 20. The remaining two phases are scheduled for May 25 and June 1, with vote counting set for June 4.
Modi’s meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a place of great spiritual significance, aligns with his practice of seeking solace and rejuvenation at critical junctures in his political career. This retreat also underscores the BJP’s strategic emphasis on connecting with India's spiritual heritage during election periods.
PM नरेंद्र मोदी ने कन्याकुमारी के विवेकानंद रॉक मेमोरियल में 45 घंटे की ध्यान साधना की। वे 30 मई की शाम को कन्याकुमारी पहुंचे थे। उन्होंने स्वामी विवेकानंद की प्रतिमा के सामने ध्यान लगाया। देखें तस्वीरें #NarendraModi #loksabhaelections2024
— Dainik Bhaskar (@DainikBhaskar) June 1, 2024
पढ़ें पूरी खबर-… pic.twitter.com/SlXAPOH5iI
The Lok Sabha elections of 2024 are crucial for the BJP, as it aims to secure a record third term under Modi's leadership. The party, led by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is targeting a historic 400-seat win. Modi's meditation retreat has garnered significant attention and is perceived as a moment of introspection before the final electoral battle.
#News18ExitPoll: Can the BJP's new alliances secure a 400+ win?@AnchorAnandN analyses the data and potential impacts from various states
— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 1, 2024
Share your thoughts in the comments if the new friends are able to make it#LokSabhaElections2024 #Politics | @Zakka_Jacob pic.twitter.com/ZoIxLcNTbp
In the broader context of the elections, political strategist Prashant Kishor recently highlighted several missed opportunities by the Congress-led opposition to challenge the BJP since 2014. Kishor's analysis points to key periods, such as the post-demonetisation turbulence and the aftermath of the second Covid-19 wave, where the opposition failed to capitalize on the BJP’s vulnerabilities. Despite these setbacks, the opposition coalition, branded as the INDIA alliance, continues its efforts to consolidate support.