Rajendra Chola birth anniversary fete begins at Ariyalur; PM to attend finale on July 27
At an event to mark the commencement of the festival, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who also holds the archaeology portfolio, said the DMK government in 2021 declared Aadi Thiruvathirai as Rajendra Chola's official birth anniversary based on historical research.
He credited historian Kudavayil Balasubramanian for identifying, through detailed epigraphic studies, that Rajendra Chola was born in the Thiruvathirai star of the Tamil month of Aadi, and not in Margazhi as previously believed.
Transport Minister SS Sivasankar, who was present on the occasion, said, 'When Rajendra Chola designed the temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, he intentionally built the tower shorter than that of Thanjavur's Brihadeeswarar temple, out of respect for his father Rajaraja Chola. He didn't want to be seen as a son who surpassed his father. In today's political scenario, many must reflect on this Chola message.'
Tourism Minister K Ramachandran, Information and Publicity Minister MP Saminathan, and VCK leader Thirumavalavan also took part in the event.
Meanwhile, a release said Kalakshetra Foundation will stage a special Bharatanatyam group recital, followed by Devaram Thirumurai chanting by traditional Othuvars during the festival. A booklet on Devaram hymns, published by the Sahitya Akademi, will be formally released. The festival will conclude with a musical presentation by music maestro Ilaiyaraaja and his troupe.
The release said objectives of the festival include highlighting the profound philosophical roots of Shaiva Siddhanta and the role of Tamil in its dissemination, honouring the contributions of the Nayanmars to the spiritual fabric of Tamil culture, and celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Rajendra Chola I and the Chola dynasty.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
DMK has failed in its duty and surrendered to the BJP: Vijay
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Monday said if the ruling DMK had ensured appropriate honour for the Chola kings, the BJP-led Central government, which was acting against the interest of Tamils, would not have taken it up now. In a statement, he said the Centre had sidelined Tamil Nadu, but now Prime Minister Narendra Modi was announcing statues for Chola kings and 'taking lessons' from the Chola dynasty. The DMK has failed in its duty and surrendered to the BJP and has pledged the pride of Tamils to the national party, he added. Mr. Vijay alleged that the BJP-led Centre, which was trying to bury history by hiding the Keeladi findings, was now talking about the Cholas, which is a mere act and the DMK had fallen for it. According to him, the DMK and the BJP are on the same team behind closed doors, and they should be labelled as 'deceivers'. He added that the people would not fall prey to what he called 'a drama for political mileage'.
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — July 29, 2025
Honouring Chola legacy India should formally honour the Chola legacy for launching successful naval expeditions beyond India shores and establishing the Tamil influence across Southeast Asia. Getting the Indian Navy to celebrate 'Rajendra Chola' day would be a fitting tribute to these unmatched maritime achievements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's references to Chola military and democratic legacy rightly spotlights their enduring contributions. Their practice of Kudavolai Murai — selecting local representatives by lot — was a democratic model that was centuries ahead of its time. The Chola overseas campaigns were not just conquests but also acts of cultural diplomacy and naval vision. Honouring the Cholas would not be symbolic alone. It would reclaim India's proud naval heritage and inspire a forward-looking maritime spirit rooted in our own history. Avinashiappan Myilsami, Coimbatore It is a matter of pride that Tamil Nadu is now home to a number of World Heritage sites. One can think of Gingee Fort along with the great Chola temples and the Mahabalipuram monuments. The only drawback at these sites is the lack of proper infrastructure. Connectivity is an issue. Pollution control too is another problem. A.S. Thirumalai, Chennai Crowd management Stampedes have become a frequent occurrence, leading to a tragic loss of lives (Front page, July 28). There needs to be comprehensive crowd control and management measures in place at all places of public gathering. There needs to be a posse of well-trained volunteers (with a specific dress code) to guide people and ensure their orderly movement. Kosaraju Chandramouli, Hyderabad
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
Lessons from the past: on the Chola legacy
The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tamil Nadu had a subtle political message. In his address at the valediction of the annual Aadi Thiruvathirai festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram to mark the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I, he focused on the legacy of the Chola emperor and his father Rajaraja Chola I to underline that contemporary India would be as enterprising as ancient India under the imperial Cholas, in expanding trade, and in guarding India's sovereignty. The festival was also organised to commemorate 1,000 years of the maritime expedition of Rajendra Chola to south-east Asia as well as the construction of the iconic temple, a World Heritage Site. The grandeur of the Chola dynasty is fascinating to recall, but there are other mundane facets of the Chola rule which are of modern relevance — its water management, tax and land revenue collection, and democratic processes. In creating infrastructure, especially, the Cholas hold many lessons. In recent months, there have been fatal accidents involving civic structures. The resilience of the Brihadisvara temples, which have stood tall for over 1,000 years, could provide learnings. Studies show that the southern peninsula was the epicentre of several earthquakes in the last 200-odd years. Archaeologists are of the view that the superstructure of the temples holds the key to modern building techniques when it comes to seismic resilience. A close study of the temples for structural stability can be of immense value in the contemporary context. Apart from focusing on the heritage and culture of the Cholas, India could try and replicate their success in administration. Management of water resources, especially, could be an important learning. The Cauvery delta, where Gangaikonda Cholapuram is located, may experience floods, with a large volume of water draining into the sea without being harnessed for periods of scarcity. More than 30 years have passed since the adoption of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution, but a large number of local bodies, even in the major cities, are functioning without elected representatives. The celebration is an opportunity for an analysis of the functioning of grassroots-level democratic bodies. Mr. Modi announced that the Centre would install the statues of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola to remind the country of its historical consciousness. But this exercise would have greater purpose if it reminds the country of the administrative acumen of the Cholas, and nudges those in governance to address many of the chronic flaws and problems.
