Vivekanandar Illam

Vivekanandar Illam, also called Vivekananda House and Ice House, is a heritage building on Marina Beach in Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Built in 1842 to store ice imported from America, it later served as a residence and hostel. It is notable as the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed for nine days in February 1897 after returning from the West. Maintained by Sri Ramakrishna Math, it functions as a museum and memorial with exhibits on his life and teachings.

Visitors can explore a two-storey heritage building facing Marina Beach with exhibition halls, photographs, paintings, and artefacts related to Swami Vivekananda's life and his 1897 stay. The complex includes a meditation hall, a shrine, a bookshop, and displays on Indian culture and the history of the Ice House. The seafront location offers views of Marina Beach and a quiet indoor museum experience.

Built in 1842 by Frederic Tudor as an ice storage facility for ice shipped from Boston, USA, and later known as Castle Kernan after Justice J.H. Kernan. It served as residence for several prominent persons and as a hostel. Swami Vivekananda stayed here for nine days from 6 to 14 February 1897 after his return from his historic visit to the West, delivering lectures in Chennai. The Government of Tamil Nadu leased the building to Sri Ramakrishna Math in 1963.

Important memorial of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda movement in South India. Houses permanent exhibitions on Swami Vivekananda's life, message of Vedanta, and Indian cultural heritage. Functions as a centre for spiritual and cultural education managed by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.