Modi spoke on the Chola dynasty’s contribution to Indian civilisation, describing Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola as symbols of India’s honour and strength.
Published Jul 27, 2025 | 3:57 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 27, 2025 | 3:57 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at Gangai Konda Cholapuram.
Synopsis: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gangai Konda Cholapuram in the Ariyalur district in Tamil Nadu to attend the Aadi Tiruvathirai. Modi spoke on the Chola dynasty’s contribution to Indian civilisation, describing Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola as symbols of India’s honour and strength.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 27 July, visited Gangai Konda Cholapuram in the Ariyalur district in Tamil Nadu to attend the Aadi Tiruvathirai — birth anniversary of the Chola king Rajendra Chola.
Modi visited the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and offered prayers to the presiding deity, Lord Brihadeeswarar, in the form of a Shiva Lingam.
The temple priests presented him with sacred prasadam and water drawn from the Singamukha well, which is traditionally used for the daily abhishekam of the deity. The holy Ganga water was offered to the Prime Minister in a ceremonial kalasam.
Modi also paid respects at the shrine of Goddess Durga, considered highly powerful and the family deity of Chola emperor Rajendra Chola. The deity is depicted in a rare form as a nine-year-old girl with a smiling face and twenty hands, slaying the demon Mahishasura, and is revered as “Mangala Chandi.”
Historically, Rajendra Chola first worshipped Durga before offering prayers to Lord Shiva, a tradition still followed during Sunday Rahu Kalam. The Prime Minister entered the sanctum and performed rituals at this separate shrine on the temple’s left side.
On the ceremonial stage, Prime Minister Modi was joined by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Union Minister of State (MoS) L Murugan, State Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and SS Sivasankar, Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan, and BJP State President and MLA Nainar Nagendran.
During the cultural segment, the hymn “Thennadudaiya Sivane Potri” was recited 40 times, with Modi folding his hands in reverence and listening attentively.
In his welcome address, Murugan highlighted the glory of the Cholas and credited Modi with introducing the Sengol in Parliament, popularising Thiruvalluvar globally, and promoting Tamil culture through initiatives like the Kashi Tamil Sangamam.
The Prime Minister then released a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola, a special edition of the Thiruvachakam by the Sahitya Akademi, and a Tamil animated musical adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita composed by Ilaiyaraaja, produced by Chinmaya Mission.
Beginning his speech with “Salutations to the Chola land,” Modi greeted the gathering, including the Adheenams, and recited devotional lines such as Namachivaya Vazhga, Nadhan Thaal Vazhga. He praised Ilaiyaraaja’s contribution and expressed his spiritual fulfillment in hearing the temple’s sacred sounds, noting that the opportunity to worship
Lord Shiva at this historic site after a thousand years was a divine blessing. Modi stated that he prayed for the progress of the nation and the well-being of 1.4 billion Indians.
Modi spoke on the Chola dynasty’s contribution to Indian civilisation, describing Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola as symbols of India’s honour and strength. Modi underscored that democratic traditions predated the British Magna Carta, citing Chola-era elections conducted under the Kudavolai system, positioning India as the true cradle of democracy.
He highlighted Rajendra Chola’s spiritual conquest of bringing Ganga water instead of wealth or animals, as seen with other kings.
Drawing a parallel between Chola cultural integration and current national efforts, Modi referred to initiatives like Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam.
He emphasised that the Chidambaram Nataraja temple symbolises India’s philosophical and scientific roots and noted the profound role of Shaiva traditions in shaping India’s civilisational identity.
Quoting Thirumoolar’s dictum “Anbe Sivam” (Love is God), he said this principle aligns with India’s global vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” offering solutions to modern challenges such as violence and environmental crises.
Modi shared that India has retrieved over 600 stolen artefacts since 2014, including 36 from Tamil Nadu, featuring icons of Nataraja, Lingeswarar, Dakshinamurthi, and Parvati.
He reaffirmed India’s security strength, referencing “Operation Sindoor” as an example of decisive national defence. He pledged to establish a statue of Rajaraja Chola.
Concluding his address, Modi called for unity and national pride, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and reiterating the vision of a united and prosperous India.
The prime minister visited Gangai Konda Cholapuram as part of his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu since Saturday.
On Saturday, Modi visited Thoothukudi and inaugurated and laid the foundation for a slew of key infrastructure projects spanning power transmission, ports, railways, highways, and civil aviation. Projects worth a total of ₹4,900 crore were either launched or dedicated during the visit.
Modi had said the Union government allocated ₹3 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu over the last decade — three times more than what was provided during previous Congress governments. He also pointed to the establishment of 11 new medical colleges and highlighted support for the fishing community, calling it unprecedented.
Modi invoked the legacy of Tamil Nadu’s towering historical figures: VO Chidambaranar, who sailed against colonial rule; freedom fighters Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Alagumuthu Kone; and revolutionary poet Subramania Bharati, born not far from Thoothukudi.
“This land has shaped India’s freedom struggle and national consciousness,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
