News Brief
'Chola Rulers Had Woven India Into A Thread Of Cultural Unity': PM Modi Visits Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple In Tamil Nadu—Key Highlights
PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent the second and final day of his official Tamil Nadu visit in Ariyalur district, arriving at the UNESCO‑listed Brihadisvara Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram on 27 July.
At the historic temple, he participated in celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I, the Chola emperor renowned for his maritime conquests and the founding of this architectural marvel, reported The Times Of india.
PM Modi reached the temple by helicopter from Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) airport.
In Trichy, he had conducted an informal 8 km roadshow, drawing enthusiastic crowds of BJP and AIADMK cadres who lined the route from his private hotel to the airport to greet him.
At Gangaikonda Cholapuram, temple priests welcomed him with a traditional Poorna Kumbha ceremony, and Odhuvars recited holy hymns (Thevaram).
A spiritual concert by noted music maestro Ilayaraja accompanied the festivities.
PM Modi also visited an exhibition on Chola-era Shaivism and architecture, organised by the Archaeological Survey of India.
PM Modi released a commemorative coin honoring Rajendra Chola I and unveiled a booklet featuring Thevaram songs, connecting ancient devotional traditions with a modern audience.
Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE) was one of the most powerful and visionary rulers in Indian history.
Under his leadership, the Chola Empire expanded its influence across South and Southeast Asia.
He established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as the imperial capital after his victorious campaigns, and the temple he built there served as a beacon of Shaiva devotion, monumental architecture, and administrative prowess for over 250 years.
Today, the temple stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its intricate sculptures, Chola bronzes, and ancient inscriptions.
The Aadi Thiruvathirai festival also celebrates the rich Tamil Shaiva Bhakti tradition, fervently supported by the Cholas and immortalized by the 63 Nayanmars—the saint-poets of Tamil Shaivism.
Notably, Rajendra Chola’s birth star, Thiruvathirai (Ardra), begins on 23 July, making this year’s festival all the more significant.
PM Modi urged the people to visit the exhibition on 1000 years of history related to the roadmap by our ancestors for human welfare and prosperity organised by the Union Ministry of Culture.
Further, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Chola rulers had extended their diplomatic and trade relations to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia.
He noted the coincidence of having returned from the Maldives just yesterday and today being part of this programme in Tamil Nadu.
Quoting scriptures stating that those who meditate upon Lord Shiva become eternal like Him, PM Modi remarked that India's Chola heritage, rooted in unwavering devotion to Shiva, has attained immortality.
“The legacy of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India's identity and pride”, said the Prime Minister. He stated that the history and heritage of the Chola Empire proclaim the true potential of India.
He emphasised that this heritage inspires the national aspiration of building a developed India, paying tribute to Rajendra Chola the Great, acknowledging his enduring legacy.
Noting that the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival was recently celebrated, PM Modi stated that today's grand programme marks its conclusion and congratulated all those who contributed to the event.
He noted that 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 Amaippu system.
He said that while many kings are remembered for acquiring gold, silver, or livestock from other regions, Rajendra Chola is recogniged for bringing sacred Ganga water.
The Prime Minister said 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.
Highlighting that Rajendra Chola established the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, which continues to be recognized globally as an architectural wonder, PM Modi remarked that the celebration of Ganga on the land of Mother Kaveri is also a legacy of the Chola Empire.
He expressed his delight that, in memory of this historic episode, Ganga water has once again been brought from Kashi to Tamil Nadu, noting that a formal ritual was conducted at the site.
“The Chola rulers had woven India into a thread of cultural unity. Today, our government is carrying forward the same ideals from the Chola era”, the PM said.
He highlighted that programmes like the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam are reinforcing centuries-old bonds of unity.
PM Modi added that ancient temples such as Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu are being preserved through the Archaeological Survey of India.
Recalling that during the inauguration of the new Parliament building, saints from the Shiv Adheenam led the ceremony with spiritual guidance, the Prime Minister noted that the sacred Sengol, associated with Tamil tradition, has been ceremonially installed in Parliament, a moment which he still remembers with immense pride.
PM Modi said that India’s Shaivite tradition has played a vital role in shaping the nation’s cultural identity.
"The Chola emperors were key architects in this cultural development and Tamil Nadu continues to be an important center of vibrant Shaivite heritage," he added.
Highlighting the legacy of the revered Nayanmar saints, their devotional literature, Tamil literary contributions, and the spiritual influence of the Adheenam, he stated that these elements catalysed a new era in both social and spiritual spheres.
Noting that the world today is facing challenges like instability, violence, and environmental crises, PM Modi emphasised that Shaivite philosophy offers pathways to meaningful solutions.
He cited the teachings of Tirumular, who wrote ‘Anbe Sivam’, meaning “Love is Shiva.”
The Prime Minister remarked that if the world embraced this thought, many crises could resolve on their own, stating that India is advancing this philosophy through the motto ‘One World, One Family, One Future’.
PM Modi said that the economic and strategic advancements achieved during the Chola era remain a source of inspiration for modern India.
"Rajaraja Chola established a powerful navy, which was further strengthened by Rajendra Chola”, the Prime Minister said.
He remarked that the Chola period witnessed key administrative reforms, including the empowerment of local governance systems and implementation of a robust revenue structure.
