Latest news with #AadiThiruvathiraiFestival
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
PM Modi offers prayers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu on Chola emperor's birth anniversary
In Pics | PM Modi offers prayers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu on Chola emperor's birth anniversary 10 Photos . Updated: 27 Jul 2025, 08:47 PM IST Share Via In his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, PM Narendra Modi offered prayers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple on the occasion of the Chola emperor's birth anniversary, Rajendra Chola I. Here are some images. 1/10PM Narendra Modi meets Deekshitars from the Thillai Nataraja Temple, in Chidambaram on Sunday. He offered prayers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple on the occasion of the Chola emperor's birth anniversary, Rajendra Chola I. (DPR PMO) 2/10PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, in Ariyalur on Sunday. He wore traditional attire and was welcomed by the local pandits in the temple. (DPR PMO) 3/10PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, in Ariyalur on Sunday. He was wearing a white veshti (dhoti), a white shirt, and an angavasthram worn around the neck while attending the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival. (DPR PMO) 4/10PM Narendra Modi meets Deekshitars from the Thillai Nataraja Temple, in Chidambaram on Sunday. Police made security arrangements and other preparations ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur. (DPR PMO) 5/10PM Narendra Modi witness an exhibition at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, in Ariyalur on Sunday. (DPR PMO/ANI Photo) (DPR PMO) 6/10PM Narendra Modi takes part in the valedictory celebrations of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, marking the birth anniversary of the legendary Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I, at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur on Sunday. Union Minister L Murugan, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu and others also present. (DPR PMO) 7/10PM Narendra Modi being felicitated by Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu during the valedictory celebrations of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival. He released a commemorative coin honouring one of India's greatest emperors, Rajendra Chola I, during a public event at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple to celebrate the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival. (DPR PMO) 8/10PM Narendra Modi being presented a memento by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi during the valedictory celebrations of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, marking the birth anniversary of the legendary Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I, at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur on Sunday. (DPR PMO) 9/10PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, in Ariyalur on Sunday. PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, held a roadshow in the Tiruchirappalli district too. (ANI Pic Service - Ishaan)
Indian Express
2 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.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Op Sindoor proved no safe haven for terrorists, enemies of India: PM Modi
Names of Raja Raja Chola, Rajendra Chola synonymous with India's identity and pride, says PM Modi in TN Aman Sahu New Delhi Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Operation Sindoor proved there is no safe haven for terrorists and others targeting India, during his address at the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu. 'The world saw how India responds if its sovereignty is attacked; it has created new self-confidence across the country,' the PM added. Modi was attending Rajendra Chola's birth anniversary celebrations in the ancient capital of the imperial Cholas, built by emperor Rajendra Chola I. The PM praised the Chola dynasty and announced the installation of grand statues of the monarchs Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola in Tamil Nadu. "I was seeing, whenever the name of Nagendran was mentioned, there used to be excitement. In a way, it is the land of faith for Rajaraja. There is an amazing atmosphere. I am an MP from Kashi. Whenever I hear 'Om Namaha Shivaya', I get goosebumps,' he said. 'Chola kings had expanded political and business relations to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia. It is also a coincidence that I returned from the Maldives yesterday and became part of this event here. Our scriptures say that the followers of Shiva, by engrossing themselves in devotion, also become 'avinashi'. The Chola dynasty has also become immortal,' Modi added. As this year marks 1,000 years since Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I marched triumphantly to the Gangetic plains, both the central government and the state government of Tamil Nadu are commemorating this millenary moment in different ways—one focusing on spiritual and philosophical heritage, and the other on restoration and public history. PM Modi said: 'The Culture Minister has put up a great exhibition. It is knowledgeable and motivational. We are filled with pride to know how humanity was given direction around 1,000 years back. Thousands are visiting. With the efforts of Chinmaya Mission, I got the opportunity to launch Tamil Gita. I want to thank everyone.' The PM also visited the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple to pay tribute to the legacy of the Chola dynasty before attending the festival. The king had built Gangaikonda Cholapuram along with the Brihadisvara Temple. Talking about his visit to the temple, he said, 'The amazing energy of Shiv Darshan, the music of Ilaiyaraaja, the chanting of mantras—it has stirred the soul. The pious month of Saawan, the start of construction of the Brihadeswara Shiv Temple—at this time, I feel fortunate to worship here. At the historic temple, I prayed for the welfare of 140 crore Indians and the progress of India.'
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
PM Modi Offers Prayers At Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple In Tamil Nadu
Ariyalur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple on the occasion of the Chola emperor's birth anniversary, Rajendra Chola I. The Prime Minister wore traditional attire and was welcomed by the local pandits in the temple. He was wearing a white veshti (dhoti), a white shirt, and an angavasthram worn around the neck while attending the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival. Earlier in the day, PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, held a roadshow in the Tiruchirappalli district. His convoy received a warm welcome from the commoners gathered to witness his arrival. The police made security arrangements and other preparations ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur. On the final day of his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in the commemoration of 1,000 years since the maritime expedition of Rajendra Chola I to Southeast Asia, as well as to mark the commencement of construction on the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. BJP and AIADMK flags have been placed on either side of the road, while flex boards and banners bearing images of Raja Raja Chozhan and messages welcoming the Prime Minister are seen along the route. According to an official press release, Prime Minister Modi will release a commemorative coin honouring one of India's greatest emperors, Rajendra Chola I, during a public event at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple to celebrate the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival. Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over Rs 4,800 crore in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. A series of landmark projects across multiple sectors that will significantly enhance regional connectivity, boost logistics efficiency, strengthen clean energy infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for citizens across Tamil Nadu, as per a release. On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, PM Modi paid tributes to the brave soldiers of Kargil and saluted the valiant warriors and offered heartfelt homage to the martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 CE) was one of the most powerful and visionary rulers in Indian history. Under his leadership, the Chola Empire expanded its influence across South and Southeast Asia. He established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as the imperial capital after his victorious campaigns, and the temple he built there served as a beacon of Shaiva devotion, monumental architecture, and administrative prowess for over 250 years. Today, the temple stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its intricate sculptures, Chola bronzes, and ancient inscriptions. The Aadi Thiruvathirai festival also celebrates the rich Tamil Shaiva Bhakti tradition, fervently supported by the Cholas and immortalised by the 63 Nayanmars--the saint-poets of Tamil Shaivism. Notably, Rajendra Chola's birth star, Thiruvathirai (Ardra), begins on July 23, making this year's festival all the more significant.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
2-day TN visit: PM Modi offers prayers at Chola temple; holds roadshow in Gangaikonda Cholapuram
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday participated in the celebration of the birth anniversary of Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I with the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirappalli. During the two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister offered prayers at the Chola-era Lord Brihadeeswara temple amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai. PM Modi brought a 'kalasam' (metal pot) with traditional decorations which is believed to contain water from River Ganga. Clad in veshti (dhoti), white shirt and angavasthram worn around the neck, the prime minsiter circumambulated the inner corridor of the temple, a part of the great living Chola temples, a UNESCO heritage site. He also offered prayers by conducting a "deeparathanai." The PM also visited an exhibition organised by the Archaeological Survey of India on Chola Shaivism and architecture. Earlier in the day, PM Modi also held a roadshow in Gangaikonda Cholapuram after his arrival. During the roadshow, the prime minister stood on the running board of his vehicle and waved at the people who lined up on both sides of the road. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the 'victory city' constructed by Rajendra Chola following his victorious maritime expedition to South East Asia about 1,000 years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow here on Sunday soon after his arrival to preside over a function to mark the birth anniversary of the iconic Chola king Rajendra Chola-I. Who was Rajendra Chola-I? This special celebration 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. Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE) stands among the most powerful and visionary rulers in Indian history. Under his reign, the Chola Empire extended its influence across South and Southeast Asia. Following his triumphant military campaigns, he established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as the imperial capital. The grand temple he built there became a symbol of Shaiva devotion, architectural brilliance, and administrative excellence, serving as a spiritual and cultural hub for over 250 years. Rajendra's territories included coastal Burma, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and the Maldives, and he conquered the kings of Srivijaya (Sumatra, Java, and Malaya in South East Asia) and the Pegu islands with his fleet of ships. He defeated Mahipala, the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar.
