Tamil Nadu government to develop 1000-year-old Chola Gangam lake in Ariyalur at ₹20 crore
Chola Gangam also known as 'Ponneri', was dug by King Rajendra Chola I to celebrate his northern campaign, according to Tiruvalangadu Copper Plates. As per the announcement made by the Chief Minister, the banks of the tank spread over 700 acres would be strengthened, an official release said.
Renovation of channels around the tank and other maintenance works would be undertaken. These works would help in the irrigation in the area and would thereby benefit farmers in 1,374 acres. The development activities to be undertaken by the Tourism Department would include establishing an information centre, park, perimeter walls, surveillance cameras, electricity and other amenities.
The Tamil Nadu government has been celebrating the birth anniversary of the legendary Tamil king Rajendra Chola I on Aadi Thiruvathirai since 2021, it said. It is already in the process of establishing a museum spread over 10 acres at a cost of ₹22.10 crore. Preliminary works for establishing the museum is already on, the release said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
PM's visit set to boost tourism in Tiruchi region
The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Brahadisvara Ttemple at Gandgaikonda Cholapuram near Jayankondam, a UNESCO world Heritage monument maintained by the Archaeology Society of India, is set to boost tourism. Ever since the temple was declared as a world heritage monument in 2004, the number of visitors has been on the rise. Foreign tourists evince greater interest in understanding the grandeur and excellence of Chola architecture and sculpture that the temple features. The sprawling lush green lawns on the temple premises teems with children especially on weekends. According to tourism industry sources, Gangaikonda Cholapuram has emerged as one of the top searched items online since the announcement was made on Prime Minister's visit to Brahadisvar Temple about two weeks ago. Besides a number of YouTube channels in Tamil, Hindi, English and others, the event was broadcast live on many news channels across the country, thereby garnering enormous interest among the people to know Rajendra Chola I and the temple built by him. Tourism officials say the temple ranks among the top three places of archaeological significance in Tamil Nadu. The other two are the Brahadisvarar Temple in Thanjavur and the Airavatesvara temple of Darasuram. They are of the view that the tourist footfall to Gangaikonda Cholapuram will certainly witness a steep increase in the immediate future thanks to the immense popularity gained after the visit of Mr. Modi. On average, 9,000 to 10,000 tourists visit Gangaikonda cholapuram per month. As per a recent official data, 9,107 tourists visited Brahadeeswarar Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram in May. The footfall includes 342 foreigners. A total of 6,626 tourists visited in June. 'We expect an exponential increase in tourists, particularly domestic, arrival to Gangaikonda cholapuram. We can see this upward trend in August month itself. The tourist footfall in neighbouring Thanjavur and Tiruchi districts will increase correspondingly,' says A. Sankar, Tourism Officer, Ariyalur district.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
PM Modi announces statues for iconic Tamil kings Rajaraja, Rajendra
Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Tamil Nadu): 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. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Data Science CXO Leadership Degree Product Management Cybersecurity Data Analytics healthcare Finance Operations Management Technology Management MCA PGDM Project Management Healthcare Others Data Science Design Thinking MBA Artificial Intelligence others Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details 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." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mountain Gear for Extreme Conditions Trek Kit India Learn More Undo 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. Live Events 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. As the elected representative from Kashi, the PM shared his deep emotional connection with Mother Ganga. He said the efforts and programmes associated with the Chola kings are akin to a sacred endeavour-symbolic of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat", giving the initiative a new and fresh momentum. The PM said: "The Chola emperors had woven India into a thread of cultural unity. Today, our government is carrying forward the same vision of the Chola era. Through initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and the Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam, we are strengthening these centuries-old bonds of unity." 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. India's heritage and the influence of Shaiva philosophy are no longer confined to its geographic borders. When India became the first country to land on the Moon's South Pole, the designated lunar site was named "Shiv-Shakti" and it is recognised globally, he said. Earlier, the PM visited an exhibition organised by the Archaeological Survey of India on Chola Shaivism and architecture. In a post on 'X', the PM said, "Witnessed a very good exhibition, 'Shaiva Siddhanta & Chola Temple Arts', which showcases the greatness of Tamil history, culture and spiritual greatness." Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district is near Kumbakonam in the Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. PTI
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Legacy of Chola dynasty provides road map for modern India, says PM Modi in Tamil Nadu
Paying glowing tributes to the military might and administrative acumen of Rajendra Chola I and his father Rajaraja Chola in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 27, 2025) said the heights reached by the emperors were a source of inspiration, providing an ancient road map for the country to become a developed nation. 'The economic and strategic advancements achieved during the Chola era remain a source of inspiration for modern India. To become a developed nation, we too must prioritise unity; strengthen our Navy and Defence forces and look for new opportunities, even while safeguarding our core values,' Mr. Modi said at the valediction of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival marking the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Follow PM Modi in Tamil Nadu highlights here Mr. Modi released a commemorative coin in honour of Rajendra Chola I on the occasion. The king had built Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the ancient capital of the Imperial Cholas, along with the Brihadisvara Temple and the Cholagangam, a massive lake, after his victorious expedition to the Gangetic plains about 1,000 years ago. The Prime Minister announced the Centre would install grand statues of the two emperors in Tamil Nadu, to serve as the pillars of country's historical consciousness. 'The legacy of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India's identity and pride. The history and heritage of the Chola Empire proclaim the true potential of India,' he said. Rajaraja Chola built a powerful navy; his son Rajendra Chola I strengthened it. The Cholas strengthened local administration, established extensive trade and cultural links to bring out about development in various spheres to his country. The Chola rulers had extended their diplomatic and trade relations to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia, he pointed out. India too placed the highest priority on its national security, Mr. Modi said and added that through Operation Sindoor, the world has witnessed the firm and decisive response of the country to any threat to its sovereignty. Pointing out the Chola reign was considered to be one of the golden ages of the country by historians, Mr. Modi said the dynasty was not only known for their military strength but also for being the mother of democracy by introducing the kudavolai system of electing local representatives centuries ago. The global discourse now revolves around water management and ecology preservation, but our ancestors understood the importance of these issues long ago, Mr. Modi said citing the Cholas excellent water management systems. 'The Chola rulers had woven a thread of cultural unity. Our government is carrying forward their ideals,' he said referring to the conduct of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam to reinforce centuries-old bonds of unity. Over the past decade, the nation had worked on mission mode to preserve its cultural legacy. About 600 ancient statues and artefacts, which had been stolen and sold abroad, have been brought back to India since 2014. Of these, 36 belonged to Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister paid tributes to the country's Shaivite tradition too, saying it played a vital role in shaping the nation's cultural identity. If only the world adopted the teaching of Tirumular, 'Anbe Shivam' (Love is God), problems such as instability, violence and environmental crises could be solved, he observed. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, State Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and S.S. Sivasankar, and Lok Sabha MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, were among the participants.
