Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 27 July

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced construction of grand statues of iconic Chola emperors, Rajaraja Chola and his son, Rajendra Chola I, in Tamil Nadu.

Addressing the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival to mark and honour the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola-I, the prime minister said these statues will serve as modern pillars of India’s historical consciousness. The festival also commemorates 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola’s legendary maritime expedition to South East Asia and the commencement of the construction of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, a magnificent example of Chola architecture.

The PM said: "The economic and military heights India reached during the Chola era continue to inspire us even today. Rajaraja Chola built a powerful navy, which Rajendra Chola further strengthened."

The honour for the iconic Tamil kings follows Modi's several Tamil-centric initiatives including the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, translations of Tamil classic Thirukkural.

In 2019, in the UN General Assembly, Modi invoked Tamil poet Kaniyan Poonkundranar and cited his popular 'Yaadum Oore' verse that underscored unity.

After praying at the Brihadeeswara temple here, Modi released a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola-I.

Listening to the rendition of spiritual hymns by Odhuvamurthys (Saivite gurus) and a Shiva-chant concert by music maestro Ilaiyaraja, the PM said the the spiritual atmosphere deeply moved the soul.

Amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai, Modi prayed at the Lord Shiva temple.

On his arrival, the PM was received by temple priests with traditional temple honours, the "poorana kumbham".

Modi said: "Our Shaivite tradition has played a vital role in shaping India's cultural identity. The Chola emperors were key architects of this legacy. Even today, Tamil Nadu remains one of the most significant centres where this living tradition continues to thrive."

Further, he said: "The legacy of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India's identity and pride", the prime minister said, adding the history and heritage of the Chola Empire proclaim the true potential of India.

The historians consider the Chola period to be among the golden eras of India, an era distinguished by its military strength, the PM said.

The Chola Empire advanced India's democratic traditions, often overlooked in global narratives. While historians speak of Britain’s Magna Carta in the context of democracy, the Chola empire had implemented democratic election practices centuries earlier through the Kudavolai system.

He said global discourse often centers around water management and ecology preservation, emphasising that India's ancestors understood the importance of these issues long ago.

He cited that while many kings are remembered for acquiring gold, silver, or livestock from other regions, Rajendra Chola is recognised for bringing sacred Ganga water.

The prime minister recalled that Rajendra Chola transported Ganga water from North India and established it in the South. He referred to the phrase "Ganga Jalamayam Jayastambham", explaining that the water was channeled into the Chola Ganga lake, now known as the Ponneri lake.

Rajendra Chola established the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, which continues to be recognised globally as an architectural wonder.

The PM remarked that the celebration of Ganga on the land of Mother Kaveri is also a legacy of the Chola Empire.

In memory of this historic episode, the prime minister said Ganga water has once again been brought from Kashi to Tamil Nadu, noting that a formal ritual was conducted at the site.

The PM recalled that when the new Parliament building was inaugurated in May 2023, the saints from the Shaivite Adheenams led the ceremony spiritually. The sacred Sengol, deeply rooted in Tamil culture, was ceremoniously installed in the new Parliament.

The PM also recalled that an idol of Lord Nataraja adorns Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, where global leaders had gathered during the G-20 summit in 2023.

Earlier, the PM visited an exhibition organised by the Archaeological Survey of India on Chola Shaivism and architecture.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district is near Kumbakonam in the Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu.