Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the temple of Brihadayesware in the Gangaicond Cholapuram
POMP and Gaieta were marked by the Aadi Thirathirai festival, organized every year in the Cholapuram gangaicond, about 105 kilometers from Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu to commemorate the anniversary of Rajendra Chola I (1012 to 1044 ceda).
The festival, which has been organized by the DMK government in the state since 2022, became an important event thanks to the participation of Narendra Modi at the Valleedics ceremony. The festival also coincided with the completion of 1,000 years of the naval expedition of Emperor Chola to Southeast Asia and the start of the construction of a cult temple.
In his book History of South India: From prehistoric times to Vijayanagar’s fall, historian Ka nilakanta Sastri states that Rajendra Chola’s empire was “the most extensive and respected Hindu state of his time”. Cholapuram gangaicond, established by the ruler of Chola, served as the capital of the Imperial Chalas for about 250 years (1025 CE-1279 CE). Together with the Brihadeesware temple in Thanjavur, built by Rajendra Chola’s father, Rajaraja Chola I, Cholapuram Temple was included in the “Great Living Chola Temples” in 2004.
27. July Modi spent about two hours in the temple. Unlike most of his public events, which are characterized by formal manifestations and inauguration of projects and schemes, this event was different. The Prime Minister, who wore a white Dhoti, a half -sleeve shirt and Angvastram (upper fabric), enjoyed the dedicated depiction of a group of Duvars (Hymn Singers) and music director and composer Ilaiyaraja. In his speech, Mr. Modi appreciated Cholas’s contributions and explained how their government remains an inspiration for modern India.
Cholas undoubtedly set a scale in various aspects of administration. However, their former capital is today one of the most backward districts of Tamil Nadu, Ariyalur. It is difficult to believe that it was once the seat of the power of the Great Empire for 250 years.
“It is okay for the Prime Minister to announce the installation of sculptures for two Emperor Chola. However, people in the district expected to reveal plans for the development of infrastructure in the region,” said N. Dhanapal, resident of Thirmanur in the Ariyalur district. “We thought they would make a statement to approve two long-term rail projects-Kumbakonami to Namakkal through Ariyalur and Pernbalur and one connecting Pattukottai, Thanjavur and Ariyalur. We were disappointed,” he added.
Ariyalur has mostly an agrarian district of cement. They were established by large companies due to the availability of quality limestone in the region. After the magic of heavy attacks on the pest about five years ago farmers practically stopped lifting sugar cane. “The sugar mill that we barely worked,” the resident complained. Although Small Industries Development Corporation has established an industrial farm in Malluur in the district about 10 years ago, it found few customers.
The district has a fossil tree park and a fossil museum that is examples of Palaeo-zoolology. In fact, the Geological Community considers the Ariyalur region to be important as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the US, but it barely gains visibility.
In fact, although it is a place of world heritage for more than 20 years, the Cholapuram gangaic temple does not attract as many international visitors as it should, mainly because of problems with the connection and lack of equipment.
It is not that the efforts to improve the district are not developed. On the eve of the main Minister MK Stalin, the Chola Gangam Lake, locally known as Lake Ponneri, will be developed at the cost of CRORE 12 GBP and that tourists’ facilities would improve at the CRORE price of 7.25 GBP. He also said that the reconstruction of the channels around the reservoir and other maintenance work would be carried out. The state government also planned to build a museum, spread over 10 acres, for the price of 22.10 Crore.
However, these plans are not enough. What the people of the district, which was the seat of the ancient capital of Cholas, is permanently attention and focuses on the economic development of the region. That’s what matters to them.
Published – July 30, 2025 01:35 IS
