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NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
PM Modi To Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple In Tamil Nadu: All About It
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur district today, as part of the concluding ceremony of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival. During the visit, the Prime Minister will take part in a series of events, including the release of a commemorative coin and the offering of Ganga water at the ancient Brihadisvara Temple. The once-imperial Chola capital has been transformed into a festive hub for the occasion, with garlands, flags, and heightened security arrangements in place. Over 2,000 police personnel have been deployed ahead of the high-profile visit. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, having arrived on July 26. All About The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is located in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu, in the town of the same name. The temple was built by the Chola emperor Rajendra I and completed in 1035 CE to commemorate his victorious northern expedition. It is an example of Dravidian architecture, featuring intricate carvings and sculptures from the Chola period. The principal deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped in the form of a 13-foot-tall Shiva Lingam. The temple tower, or vimana, rises to a height of 55 metres, making it one of the tallest in India. The temple stands on an elevated plinth and features a courtyard that measures 170 metres in length and 98 metres in width. The main structure of the temple is 341 feet long and 100 feet wide. The temple is part of the "Great Living Chola Temples", a group of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that also includes the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur and the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram. The name "Gangaikonda Cholapuram" means "the city of the Chola who conquered the Ganga", referring to Rajendra I's military expedition to northern India, during which pots of Ganga water were brought back to the south. Rajendra I shifted the Chola capital from Thanjavur to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, which remained the imperial capital for over 250 years. The city was fortified with both inner and outer defensive walls, as revealed by archaeological excavations. The outer fortification was made of burnt bricks, measuring six to eight feet in width and filled with sand between two layers of brick walls. While the capital once housed many temples, most were destroyed in later centuries, and only the main Shiva temple survives today. The temple was re-consecrated in 2017, with the installation of a new dwajasthambam (flagstaff) and the performance of maha kumbhabhishekam rituals.
The Print
12-07-2025
- The Print
Inscribing Gingee Fort in UNESCO World Heritage list is proud moment for TN: CM
'Delighted that #GingeeFort, famously known as the 'Troy of the East', has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India,' the chief minister said in a post on the social media platform 'X'. The ancient fort, located about 40 km from Villupuram and about 157 km from Chennai, attracts tourists. It is part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India and the only one in the state. Chennai, Jul 12 (PTI) The popular historical site in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district, the Gingee Fort known as the Troy of the East, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list was a proud moment for Tamil Nadu and its enduring cultural heritage, Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Saturday. This majestic hill fortress now joined Tamil Nadu's proud list of UNESCO sites including the Great Living Chola Temples, the monuments at Māmallapuram, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Western Ghats, he said. 'A proud moment for Tamil Nadu and its enduring cultural heritage,' he added. The fort along with 11 other structures in Maharashtra forms a serial nomination portraying the military architecture and strategic design of the Maratha empire. Its recognition was announced at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris. An expert from the International Council on Monuments and Sites, Hwajong Lee, visited the site on September 27, last year, for the assessment. The fort existed for several hundreds of years and had served many ruling dynasties including the Vijayanagara, Marathas, Nawabs of Arcot, Tipu Sultan, the French and the British. The Kon dynasty laid the foundation for the Gingee Fort in 1190 CE. PTI JSP KH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
NDTV
12-07-2025
- NDTV
Gingee Fort Joins UNESCO Heritage List As Part Of Maratha Military Landscapes
Chennai: Tamil Nadu's historic Gingee Fort, often hailed as the "Troy of the East", has received global recognition, being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. "Delighted that Gingee Fort, famously known as the 'Troy of the East', has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. This majestic hill fortress now joins Tamil Nadu's proud list of UNESCO sites including the Great Living Chola Temples, the monuments at Mamallapuram, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Western Ghats," Chief Minister MK Stalin said, celebrating the honour. "A proud moment for Tamil Nadu and its enduring cultural heritage," he added. Located in Viluppuram district, Gingee Fort is one of the most impregnable forts in India, perched dramatically across three rocky hills - Krishnagiri, Rajagiri, and Chandrayandurg - and fortified with high walls, deep moats, and hidden passageways. Its origins date back to the 9th century, with significant fortifications added by the Cholas, the Vijayanagara kings, the Marathas, the Mughals, and later, the French and the British. The fort gained prominence under Shivaji's son Rajaram Chhatrapati, who took refuge here during the Mughal siege of Jinji in the late 17th century, turning it into a key outpost of Maratha resistance in the south. Now part of the UNESCO-recognised Maratha Military Landscapes, Gingee Fort's inclusion underscores not just its architectural ingenuity but also its strategic and historic significance in India's military history. Experts say, with this addition, Tamil Nadu further strengthens its position as a custodian of India's diverse cultural and architectural heritage on the global stage.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
73% non-marine UNESCO sites at severe water risk: WRI report
A new analysis shows 73% of all non-marine UNESCO World Heritage Sites are exposed to at least one severe water risk (water stress, drought, river flooding or coastal flooding), with 21% of sites facing dual problems — having too much water one year, and too little during another. The Taj Mahal faces water scarcity that is increasing pollution and depleting groundwater, the analysis states (PTI) The analysis based on World Resources Institute's Aqueduct data (also a water risk atlas) has flagged that several sites in India are among those experiencing severe risks, including the Taj Mahal, Kaziranga National Park, Western Ghats, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, and the Great Living Chola Temples among others. Around 40% of the UNESCO sites are facing issues related to water stress and drought risk while 33% and 4% respectively face challenges from riverine flood risk and coastal flood risk. 'Sites at risk include global icons such as the Taj Mahal, Angkor, Yellowstone National Park, Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls, the Sagarmatha National Park (Mt Everest) and many more. With water stress projected to intensify in many regions, the implications for ecosystems, cultural heritage, and local economies are significant - but solutions are within reach,' the analysis said. For example, WRI's mapping shows Sun Temple in Konark; victorian gothic and art deco ensembles in Mumbai; churches and convents of Goa; Western Ghats etc in India are at extremely high risk of riverine flooding. Drought risk is high for Qutub Minar; Keoladeo national park; Rani ki Vaw stepwell in Gujarat; even Chola temples in Mahabalipuram. 'Water is impacting some of the Earth's most cherished places: The Taj Mahal, for example, faces water scarcity that is increasing pollution and depleting groundwater, both of which are damaging the mausoleum. In 2022, a massive flood closed down all of Yellowstone National Park and cost over $20 million in infrastructure repairs to reopen. Water issues — whether it's drought, scarcity, pollution or flooding — have become a threat to many of the more than 1,200 UNESCO World Heritage Sites,' the analysis states. While the global share of World Heritage Sites exposed to high to extremely high levels of water stress is projected to rise from 40% to 44% by 2050, impacts will be far more severe in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, parts of South Asia and northern China — areas where existing water stress is exacerbated by extensive river regulation, damming and upstream water withdrawals. In these regions, the combined pressures of infrastructure development and climate change pose a significant threat to both natural ecosystems and the cultural heritage they sustain, it adds. Places ranging from the biodiversity-rich Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, to cultural treasures like the sacred city of Chichén Itzá in Mexico, to bustling urban centers like Morocco's Medina of Fez are facing growing water risks. For example, the Ahwar of Southern Iraq is facing acute water stress. In 2016, UNESCO added the Ahwar to the World Heritage list as a mixed site — recognized for both its natural values and cultural legacy. It's one of approximately 470 UNESCO World Heritage Sites facing water scarcity due to issues like pollution and competition for its water resources. Fed by Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the Ahwar is among the largest inland delta systems on Earth. These sprawling marshes are teeming with life that include millions of migratory birds like the rare Basra Reed Warbler and large wild buffalo that wade through its reed beds. Over the years, upstream dam construction, agricultural water use and periods of political instability including significant drainage of the marshes in the 1990s have reduced the freshwater flowing into the region. As a result, the area remains highly vulnerable during times of drought, the analysis said. WRI water experts have recommended that local authorities restore vital landscapes that support healthy, stable water, invest in nature-based solutions like planting trees to restore headwater forests or revitalizing wetlands to capture flood waters and recharge aquifers. These approaches can build resilience to extreme weather and address multiple water challenges simultaneously. Nationally, countries can enact conservation policies to protect vital landscapes from unsustainable development.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Taj Mahal among heritage sites exposed to water risks: World Resources Institute
As many as 73% of all non-marine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including in India, are exposed to at least one severe water risk (water stress, drought, river or coastal flooding), with 21% of them facing dual problems of having too much water one year, and too little during another, a new analysis shows. Taj Mahal faces water scarcity that is increasing pollution and depleting groundwater. (ANI) The analysis based on World Resources Institute's Aqueduct data (also a water risk atlas) said sites experiencing severe risks in India included the Taj Mahal, Kaziranga National Park, Western Ghats, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, and the Great Living Chola Temples. Around 40% of the UNESCO sites faced issues related to water stress and drought, and 33% and 4% riverine flood and coastal flood risks. 'Water is impacting some of the Earth's most cherished places: The Taj Mahal, for example, faces water scarcity that is increasing pollution and depleting groundwater, both of which are damaging the mausoleum. In 2022, a massive flood closed down all of Yellowstone National Park and cost over $20 million in infrastructure repairs to reopen. Water issues — whether it's drought, scarcity, pollution, or flooding — have become a threat to many of the more than 1,200 UNESCO World Heritage Sites,' the analysis said. The global share of World Heritage Sites exposed to high-to-extremely high levels of water stress is projected to rise from 40% to 44% by 2050. The impacts will be far more severe in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa, parts of South Asia, and northern China, where existing water stress is exacerbated by extensive river regulation, damming, and upstream water withdrawals. In these regions, the combined pressures of infrastructure development and climate change pose a significant threat to both natural ecosystems and the cultural heritage they sustain, the analysis said. Places ranging from the biodiversity-rich Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, to cultural treasures like the sacred city of Chichén Itzá in Mexico, to bustling urban centers like Morocco's Medina of Fez are facing growing water risks. The Ahwar of Southern Iraq is facing acute water stress. In 2016, UNESCO added the Ahwar to the World Heritage list as a mixed site recognised for both its natural values and cultural legacy. It is one of approximately 470 UNESCO World Heritage Sites facing water scarcity due to issues like pollution and competition for its water resources. Fed by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the Ahwar is among the largest inland delta systems on Earth. These sprawling marshes are teeming with life that includes millions of migratory birds like the rare Basra Reed Warbler and large wild buffalo that wade through their reed beds. Over the years, upstream dam construction, agricultural water use, and periods of political instability, including significant drainage of the marshes in the 1990s, have reduced the freshwater flowing into the region. As a result, the area remains highly vulnerable during times of drought, the analysis said.
