Vivekanandar Illam, Historical museum in Triplicane, India
Vivekanandar Illam is a circular museum building in Triplicane that documents the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda through several galleries. The collections include manuscripts, photographs, and other artifacts arranged throughout the different rooms.
The building was constructed in 1842 by the Tudor Ice Company as an ice storage facility and later served different purposes. In 1897, Swami Vivekananda stayed here during a visit to Chennai and used it as his residence.
The name honors Swami Vivekananda, a spiritual leader whose thoughts continue to shape Indian philosophy today. The rooms display personal items and writings that reflect his life and teachings.
The museum is located near Marina Beach and is easy to reach. Visitors should note that it closes on certain days and has limited opening hours.
The building blends Indo-Saracenic architecture with colonial style, featuring arched windows and decorative pillars from the 1800s. This mix of two design traditions makes the structure architecturally interesting and sets it apart from other buildings in the area.
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