PM Modi Honors Rajendra Chola at Gangaikonda Cholapuram
As part of his two-day tour of Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple on Sunday to pay tribute to the legacy of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola I. The visit coincided with the emperor’s birth anniversary, celebrated through the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival.
Temple Visit Highlights Chola Legacy
Modi, wearing traditional Tamil attire, offered prayers and participated in festive rituals at the 11th-century Brihadisvara Temple. The temple, built around 1035 CE by Rajendra Chola I, remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as an iconic symbol of Chola architecture and cultural prowess.
Commemoration and Cultural Events
The Prime Minister inaugurated cultural programs that included hymns from Devaram Thirumurai by Othuvars and a spiritual concert. He also took part in a symbolic ritual involving the arrival of Ganga water from Kashi, commemorating the Chola emperor’s legacy of bringing sacred waters to Kaveri’s banks.
Political and Cultural Significance
The visit is viewed as part of the BJP’s broader cultural outreach in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections. Leaders from both BJP and AIADMK participated in a roadshow from Trichy airport, signaling political unity. However, regional leaders have dismissed the event as ceremonial without electoral impact.
Infrastructure and Security Preparations
Ahead of the visit, the Tamil Nadu government completed extensive preparations—repairing roads, cleaning key routes, and imposing a no drone zone. A temporary helipad was set up near the temple site for the Prime Minister’s arrival, and detailed security measures were activated across Ariyalur and Trichy.
Legacy of a Maritime Empire
Rajendra Chola I, who reigned from 1014 to 1044 CE, extended the Chola Empire’s influence across South Asia and Southeast Asia through naval expeditions. Gangaikonda Cholapuram, his capital city, was built to mark his conquests and remained the Chola seat for over 250 years.
Modi praised Rajendra Chola I and Rajaraja Chola I as figures of national pride, underlining their contributions to India’s heritage, governance, and ancient maritime trade networks. The visit blends cultural reverence with modern political symbolism, reiterating India’s respect for its historical roots while advancing current outreach.
