Latest news with #GangaikondaCholapuram
News18
3 days ago
- General
- News18
'Indelible Mark On History': Navy Hails Chola Dynasty's Legacy, Salutes Maritime Heritage
Last Updated: The Indian Navy paid tribute on Rajendra Chola I's birth anniversary, highlighting his maritime legacy. The Indian Navy on Sunday paid tribute to Rajendra Chola I, the legendary Chola emperor renowned for his visionary maritime expeditions, on the occasion of his birth anniversary. In a post on social media platform X, the spokesperson of India Navy hailed the emperor's naval legacy, calling it a 'golden chapter in India's maritime history." The #IndianNavy proudly pays tribute to Rajendra Chola I — the legendary emperor whose visionary maritime expedition to Southeast Asia a thousand years ago marked a golden chapter in #India 's maritime commencement of the majestic Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the… — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 27, 2025 The post highlighted Rajendra Chola's far-reaching expedition to Southeast Asia over a thousand years ago, which showcased the Chola Empire's naval dominance, strategic brilliance, and cultural influence. 'The commencement of the majestic Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the release of a commemorative coin in his honour serve as a reminder of our rich maritime heritage," the post read. The Indian Navy highlighted the Chola Navy's contributions to shaping early maritime power in the Indian Ocean, stating it exemplified 'unparalleled strategic brilliance, maritime prowess, and cultural influence" that left a lasting mark on Indian history. Continuing that tradition, the Navy emphasized its current role in upholding India's interests in the region, citing initiatives like MAHASAGAR and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) that reflect the country's commitment to peace, security, and cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region. 'Today, the Indian Navy carries forward that legacy — safeguarding national interests, fostering regional cooperation, MAHASAGAR SAGAR and ensuring peace and stability across the #IndianOceanRegion," the post further mentioned. The Navy concluded its tribute by saluting India's long-standing maritime tradition, saying, 'We salute the timeless spirit of India's seafarers — from the maritime pioneers of Chola era to the modern day mariners of today." The tribute marks a renewed acknowledgment of India's ancient maritime roots and its evolving role as a key player in regional naval diplomacy. The Navy also shared a post by PM Modi in which he mentioned some special celebrations on the occasion. In the post on Saturday, PM Modi had announced a commemorative coin and celebrations for Aadi Thiruvathirai festival. PM Modi had tweeted, 'Tomorrow, 27th July will witness a very special programme to mark a thousand years of the maritime expedition of the great Rajendra Chola I to South East Asia and the commencement of the construction of the iconic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, a shining example of Chola architecture. It is our privilege that a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola I is being released, also celebrating the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival." view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
PM Modi at Gangaikonda Cholapuram: How this grand temple's history is linked to present-day politics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 27) offered prayers at the ancient Shiva temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Shiva temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is often considered the pinnacle of Chola architecture, a triumphant declaration of the might and magnificence of an empire that at its peak stretched from near the banks of the Ganga in north India to parts of Sumatra, Malaysia, and Myanmar. According to the official press release, PM Modi 'will release a commemorative coin honouring one of the greatest emperors of India, Rajendra Chola I, celebrating Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival during a public event at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple.' In many ways, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival are linked to the proudest moments of the Chola empire. While PM Modi's visit brings the grand temple under the spotlight, the occasion is not without politics. We explain, in 3 points. PM Modi's visit This Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival this year also commemorates 1,000 years of the legendary maritime expedition of Rajendra Chola I to South East Asia, the press release said. During his visit, PM Modi said the names of emperors Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I are synonymous with India's identity and pride and announced that grand statues would be built for them in Tamil Nadu, PTI reported. Rajendra Chola I, who reigned for 30 years (1014 to 1044 AD), built Gangaikonda Cholapuram as his capital after his Army marched right up to the Ganga river, defeating the Pala kingdom of Bengal, and returned victorious. In this new town, he built a grand water tank and a grander temple. The tank, Cholagangam, was meant to be a Ganga-jalamayam jayasthambham, or 'a liquid pillar of victory'. Historian K A Nilakanta Sastri, in his book 'A History of South India', writes, 'The name of the city, Gangaikondaśõlapuram, 'the town of the Chola who took the Ganges', was an advertisement of the new power of South India to the rest of the country.' After so establishing his dominance within India, Rajendra Chola I then led several successful maritime campaigns, extending the boundaries of his empire and the reputation of his dynasty as one of the foremost Naval powers of India. The great Chola king before Rajendra I had been his father, Rajaraja I, who built the Brihadeeswara temple at Tanjore (now Thanjavur). 'Brihadeeswara' simply means 'big', or 'great' (brihad in Sanskrit means massive), and the word is also used for the temple Rajendra 1 built, for example in the UNESCO heritage list. Sastri in his book writes, 'The temple of Gangaikondaśõļapuram, the creation of Rajarāja's son Rājendra, was evidently meant to excel its predecessor in every way… Erected about 1030, only two decades after the temple of Tanjore and in much the same style, the greater elaboration in its appearance attests the more affluent state of the Chola empire under Räjendra.' Thus, where the Tanjore temple has a straight, proud tower rising up, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple has softer lines and curves, proclaiming more assured power and the luxury of beauty and grace. The temple today is the site of the annual Aadi Thiruvadhirai festival. Aadi is the name of the month, and Thiruvadhirai is a nakshatra (arrangement of stars and planets) linked to Lord Shiva, also believed to be the king's birth star. Traditionally, the festival involves therukoothu or road shows enacting Rajendra I's achievements. The king's statue is offered new silk robes. Competing politics The Chola empire was a stable, great Hindu power in the south at a time north India was broken up into several small kingdoms flattening under the onslaught of Muslim invaders. Sastri writes of Rajendra I and his father, 'At a time when Northern India was divided into a number of weak and warring states, some of which began to stagger under repeated Islamic inroads, these two great monarchs gave political unity to the whole of Southern India for the first time and established it as a respected sea-power… This was the silver age of the religious revival which had begun under the Pallavas…' Thus, the Chola empire can be held as a glorious example of both Hindu power as well as Dravida power, and in PM Modi's visit to the temple, both these narratives are at play. Tamil Nadu goes to polls next year, with the BJP desperate to make inroads into the state, and Chief Minister MK Stalin a major champion of Dravida identity and pride.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
6 dead, several injured after stampede at Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar
4:21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the grand celebrations at the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple to mark 1,000 years of Emperor Rajendra Chola's maritime expedition. He will also release a commemorative coin honouring Emperor Rajendra Chola I during the ceremony, celebrating the legacy of the Chola king's Southeast Asian naval expedition and the temple's millennial anniversary.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
PM Modi to release commemorative coin honouring Emperor Rajendra Chola 1 in TN today
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, will on Sunday attend the grand 'Aadi Thiruvathirai' celebrations at the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple to mark 1,000 years of Emperor Rajendra Chola's maritime expedition. He will also release a commemorative coin honouring Emperor Rajendra Chola I during the ceremony, celebrating the legacy of the Chola king's Southeast Asian naval expedition and the temple's millennial anniversary. His visit follows a high-profile day in the state, which included the inauguration of major development projects worth Rs 4,900 crore and a significant political meeting with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. On Saturday evening, after arriving in Tuticorin from the Maldives, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the newly developed terminal building at Tuticorin Airport, built for Rs 452 crore. He also laid foundation stones and dedicated several infrastructure projects, including power transmission works related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, doubling of key railway lines, electrification of the Madurai-Bodinayakkanur railway section, and logistics enhancements at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port. Following these engagements, PM Modi reached Tiruchirappalli and checked into a private star hotel for the night. Later that night, he held a closed-door meeting with AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami at Trichy Airport. This marks their first formal interaction since the AIADMK renewed its alliance with the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The meeting is seen as politically significant amid ongoing deliberations over power-sharing and seat allocation within the NDA in Tamil Nadu. This morning, at 11 a.m., the Prime Minister, while on his way to the Trichy Airport, will greet the public, particularly at key points like the Cantonment and Bharathidasan Road, where iron barricades have been erected to facilitate a brief roadshow. From the airport, PM Modi will travel by helicopter to Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Upon arrival, he will be welcomed with a poorna kumbham by the seer of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. A maha abhishekam using holy Ganga water brought from Varanasi will be performed to Lord Brihadeeswarar. The Prime Minister is expected to spend three minutes in silent meditation at the sanctum sanctorum and then visit an archaeological photo exhibition arranged by the state's Department of Archaeology. The cultural segment of the event will feature a special symphony concert by music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, which the Prime Minister is expected to attend briefly. At 1.45 p.m., he will depart by helicopter from Gangaikonda Cholapuram and land at Trichy Airport by 2.25 p.m. PM Modi is scheduled to return to Delhi at 2.30 p.m.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
PM Modi can't push Hindi in Tamil Nadu: DMK leader on language row
DMK MP Kanimozhi Somu launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tamil Nadu for the Gangaikonda Cholapuram millenary celebrations. The DMK leader questioned the Prime Minister's "selective interest" in Tamil heritage while accusing him of playing political drama ahead of next year's Assembly polls.'PM Modi says he loves and respects Tamil. Then why impose the three-language policy on us?' she asked, referring to the controversial New Education Policy that proposes Hindi as a mandatory language alongside English and the regional tongue. 'He should retract the third-language policy. Let English remain the communicating language" she also took strong exception to PM Modi carrying Ganga water to the event, calling it inappropriate for a national leader. 'He represents the entire country. He can't get into religious things. He is the Prime Minister for everyone, not for one particular community,' she said. 'He can't follow all these superstitions.' On the Keezhadi archaeological findings, which many scholars believe provide evidence of an advanced, ancient Tamil civilisation, she accused the BJP-led Centre of deliberately downplaying the discovery. 'Keezhadi will turn the whole history around and establish that Tamil is the oldest language. Modi doesn't want this. He doesn't want the Southern states to flourish,' she a sharp remark aimed at the Prime Minister, Somu said, 'He is someone who makes a child sit on his lap but also pinches it. That's the kind of split personality we are seeing. You can't pretend to honour Tamil civilisation at Gangaikonda Cholapuram while rejecting Keezhadi findings.'The DMK MP also questioned the Prime Minister's visibility in Tamil Nadu. 'He only comes during elections. And now, when elections are around the corner, he is back here. But at other times, he's out of the country. Why is he touring abroad during election season? He has walked away to some other country.'When asked about the ongoing state tour by AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, she dismissed it as politically inconsequential.'There is a big air of confusion between the AIADMK and BJP. Amit Shah says it's a coalition, and EPS says ADMK will come to power on its own. There's no synchronization", she noted, adding 'EPS is someone who became Chief Minister through the backdoor.'- EndsMust Watch
