Draped in veshti and angavastram, PM visits iconic Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu
PM Modi's visit is being seen as part of the BJP's broader cultural outreach in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party has been seeking to expand its political footprint. The Chola emperor, often celebrated in Tamil literature and folklore, has also been referenced in PM Modi's past speeches.Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the 'victory city' constructed by Rajendra Chola following his victorious maritime expedition to South East Asia about 1,000 years ago. PM Modi arrived at the temple to attend the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival.The grand finale of the festival that commenced on July 23 was marked by celebrations today.Shivacharyas and Othuvamurthys, scholars well-versed in Saivaite scriptures, recited sacred hymns to welcome the Prime Minister. A special musical performance on Tiruvasagam by maestro Ilayaraja was also planned.On the occasion, Gangaikonda Cholapuram was adorned with floral green arches leading up to the temple, while police took control of the entire area to manage the security arrangements.Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, Hindu Religious and Chartiable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar and Union Minister L Murugan also took part in the event.- EndsMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
18 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Union Ministers Suresh Gopi, George Kurian come under fire from LDF for remaining silent on arrest of Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh
Union Minister Suresh Gopi has drawn flak from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala for allegedly maintaining silence on the arrests of two Keralite nuns on 'questionable charges' of forced conversion and human trafficking in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Chattisgarh on July 25. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (July 30, 2025), Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said Mr. Gopi, while contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Thrissur constituency in 2024, continually toured churches and even offered a golden circlet to Mother Mary as a token of piety and devotion. Mr. Sivankutty said Mr. Gopi's 'speechlessness' on the issue was surprising, given the latter's demonstrative affinity for Christians and their faith. He said Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian also appeared 'least concerned' that the Chhattisgarh police had arrested Sisters Vandana Francis and Preeta Mary of the order of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) on 'fake charges' of forced conversion and human trafficking at the behest of local Bajrang Dal workers. (Mr. Kurian had stated on Monday that his constitutional office constrained him from coming on a case that was still sub judice. BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar later endorsed Mr. Kurian's position.' Mr. Sivankutty said the BJP's political outreach to minorities, chiefly Christians in Kerala, was double-faced and duplicitous. 'The BJP's governments in north Indian States are singularly responsible for allowing extreme Hindu right-wing groups free rein to hound, harass and persecute minorities, primarily Christians. Now, nuns are their target. Soon, the Sangh Parivar will catch priests and Church-run institutions in the cross hairs,' he added. Earlier, the Minister called on the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference in Kerala, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, who is currently the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, at the latter's official residence at Pattom in Thiruvananthapuram. After the meeting, Cardinal Cleemis told reporters that the nuns should get justice. 'The outcome of the case will be the sole yardstick of any future friendship or camaraderie. The sisters are still in prison. All should practise what they preach and show sincerity in friendship. The sisters should get justice,' he added.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
18 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Rooftop solar plant to be installed in 10 mn households by 2026-27: Govt
Rooftop solar plants will be installed in one crore households across the country by 2026-27 under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY), Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Joshi also said that the central government has taken several initiatives and has been implementing various schemes and programmes for promotion and development of renewable energy in the country. "The government launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY) in February, 2024 for installing rooftop solar for one crore households by 2026-27 across all states and UTs in the country," he said during the Question House. The minister said the government has also been implementing Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme across all states and UTs of the country. Under the scheme, capacities are allocated based on demand received and progress shown by the states and UTs, he said. Joshi said as per study on 'Powering Jobs Growth with Green Energy' carried out by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) in July, 2019, and co-benefits study report by TERI in October 2019, about 13 lakh employment opportunities are estimated to be created in renewable energy sector by June 2025. About 31,829 number of local youth and technical workers, who were trained under Suryamitra, Vayumitra and Jal-urja mitra Skill Development Programmes of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, got employment, he said. The minister said a on June 30, a total of 11,279.39 MW electricity capacity from different renewable energy sources such as solar (5570 MW), wind (3195.15 MW), bio power (155.46 MW) and hydro power (2358.71 MW), has been installed in Madhya Pradesh. Under the scheme for 'Development of Solar Parks and Ultra-Mega Solar Power Projects, the ministry has sanctioned eight solar parks of aggregate capacity 4248 MW in Madhya Pradesh, he said.
India.com
18 minutes ago
- India.com
Migrant Labour Issue: ফের বিজেপি শাসিত গুজরাতে বাঙালি হেনস্থার গুরুতর অভিযোগ
Videos Migrant Labour Issue: ফের বিজেপি শাসিত গুজরাতে বাঙালি হেনস্থার গুরুতর অভিযোগ | Zee 24 Ghanta Migrant Labour Issue: Serious Allegations of Bengali Harassment Again in BJP-Ruled Gujarat Migrant Labour Issue: Serious Allegations of Bengali Harassment Again in BJP-Ruled Gujarat | Updated: Jul 30, 2025, 04:00 PM IST Advertisement Migrant Labour Issue: Serious Allegations of Bengali Harassment Again in BJP-Ruled Gujarat
