MADURAI: Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi has today paid glorious tributes to great emperor Rajendra Chola-I (1014-1044 CE) and said that the Chola era from Tamil Nadu was one of the golden periods of Indian history and the legacy of Chola empire reflects the military strength and true potential of India.
“Rajendra Chola had built the Gangaikondan Cholapuram temple several centuries ago and event today this temple stands as an architectural wonder. The Chola emperors had woven India into a thread of cultural unity. Our government is carrying forward with that Chola period vision for our country’s unity and security through initiatives like Kashi Tamil Sangamam and military action via Operation Sindoor,” he said today- July 27th 2025.
The Prime Minister had participated in the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola-I at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district in Tamil Nadu where a special event organized by the Union Ministry of Culture to commemorate 1,000 years of his maritime expedition in South East Asia and commencement of construction of Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple along with Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival.
Stating that he had prayed for the welfare of 140 crore Indians while offering prayers at historic Brihadeeswarar Shiva temple today, Mr.Modi had stressed that the Chola rulers were good in diplomatic relations, trade and military might.
“The great emperor Rajendra Chola is recognized for bringing Ganga water to Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu. Our ancient Chola empire serves as a roadmap for today’s India to become a developed nation with a string military force. We are inspired by that Chola vision and only recently the world had witnessed our Operation Sindoor which gave fitting reply to any threat for India’s sovereignty. The Operation Sindoor has sent a clear message that India will deal with enemies in a befitting manner and it increased our people’s confidence now,” the Prime Minister has said.
GRAND STATUES OF CHOLA EMPERORS:
Mr.Narendra Modi had also announced that grand statues of Raja Raja Chola and his illustrious ruler son Rajendra Chola I will be installed in Tamil Nadu in the coming days and these statues will serve as modern pillars of India’s great history.
“Cholas are an inspiration for us today in modern India because they established a powerful navy even in those times. The legacy of Chola emperors is synonymous with India’s identity and pride. In these present times of challenges faced due to instability, violence and environment crisis, the solution is there in Shaivite philosophy if one embraces that thought through the motto of ‘One World, One Family, One Future’, the Prime Minister said.
Chola emperor Rajendra Chola from Tamil soil was one of the most powerful and visionary rulers in Indian history with influence across South and Southeast Asia. He created Gangaikonda Cholapuram as imperial capital and built a grand temple there as a beacon of Shaiva devotion, monumental architecture and administrative prowess. This temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu is a UNESCO recognized world heritage site renowned for its intricate sculptures, Chola bronzes and ancient inscriptions thereby standing tall as a symbol of ancient glory in Tamil Nadu.
