Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival: Statues of Rajaraja and Rajendra Chola to Be Built in Tamil Nadu
- TPP
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
On Sunday, July 28, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu’s Ariyalur district to take part in the valedictory celebrations of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, commemorating the birth anniversary of Emperor Rajendra Chola I. As part of the occasion, the Prime Minister made a landmark announcement: grand statues of Chola emperors Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola will be erected in Tamil Nadu to honour their unparalleled contributions to Indian history, architecture, culture, and governance.
Speaking at the event, held at the historic Gangaikonda Cholisvaram Temple (also known as Brihadisvara Temple), PM Modi described the Chola dynasty as a golden era in Indian civilization, marked by excellence in temple architecture, administration, maritime strength, diplomacy, and international trade. Built by Rajendra Chola I, the temple is a magnificent replica of the one constructed by his father, Rajaraja Chola I, in Thanjavur, and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Coins, Statues, and Cultural Tributes
As a tribute to the Chola king’s contributions to Indian heritage and global influence, a commemorative coin also released in honour of Rajendra Chola I. In his address, he emphasized the global reach of the Chola Empire, recalling how the kings had established political and trade ties with regions like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia. Drawing a symbolic connection, the Prime Minister remarked,
“It is a coincidence that I returned from the Maldives yesterday, and today I stand here in the land once ruled by these visionary kings.”
The announcement of the grand statues of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola comes at a time when efforts are being made to reinstate indigenous narratives into India’s historical consciousness. Modi noted that these statues will serve as enduring reminders of India’s rich civilizational values and contributions to the world.
Democracy, Temple Art, and Water Management: The Chola Legacy
Highlighting the progressive governance model of the Cholas, PM Modi lauded their early democratic principles, citing the kudavolai system — an ancient form of local self-governance or participatory democracy, in which people used palm leaves to vote. This system predates many Western democratic experiments and underscores the deep-rooted civic consciousness of the Chola era.
The Prime Minister also praised the Cholas for their advancements in water management, temple architecture, and social organization. Referring to Tamil Nadu’s deep Shaivite traditions, he said,
“Shaivite poet Thirumoolar said, ‘Anbe Sivam’ — Love is God. If the world adopts this idea, many of today’s crises, such as instability, violence, and environmental destruction, can be resolved.”
He further connected this idea to India’s modern global message of “One World, One Family, One Future”, suggesting that spiritual wisdom from India’s past can guide present and future global challenges.
Ceremonial Worship and Cultural Celebrations
Arriving in traditional Tamil attire — a white veshti (dhoti), half-sleeved shirt, and angavastram (upper cloth) — PM Modi received ‘poorna kumbham’ honours (a traditional welcome ritual involving a pot of sanctified water and other symbols of auspiciousness) upon entering the temple premises. He then performed ‘abhishekam’ (ritual bathing) for the presiding deity, Lord Choleeswarar (a form of Lord Shiva), using sacred water brought from the Ganges River in Varanasi.
The Prime Minister also offered ‘deeparadhana’ (worship with lamps) and observed Tamil Shivaacharyas chanting Vedic hymns in Tamil, reinforcing the deep blend of Dravidian and Vedic traditions found in the Chola temples. He toured various shrines inside the temple complex, including those dedicated to Goddess Durga, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Murugan, expressing awe at the bronze icons, copper plates, and intricate stone sculptures that reflect the artistic brilliance of the Chola dynasty.
A notable cultural highlight was a performance by legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, who presented music from ‘Thiruvasagam’, a classical Shaivite text composed by Tamil saint Manikkavasagar. Accompanying him, ‘odhuvars’ (temple singers) rendered traditional Saivite hymns, adding a spiritual dimension to the heritage celebrations.
Return of Stolen Antiquities and Scholarly Engagement
PM Modi also addressed the issue of India’s stolen antiquities, stating that over 30 recovered artefacts from across the globe belong to Tamil Nadu, underlining the state’s historical significance and rich temple legacy. Many of these antiquities, including bronze idols and temple artefacts, were stolen over decades and have been repatriated by the Union government in recent years.
He also interacted with scholars at a photo exhibition on ‘Saiva Siddhanta and Chola Temple Arts’, organised by the ASI, and expressed admiration for the scholarship and devotion that has preserved these traditions. He especially appreciated the millennial celebration of Rajendra Chola’s famed naval expedition to Southeast Asia, which he said was a testament to India’s ancient maritime dominance and global influence.
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