Modi in TN: PM praises Chola empire’s military legacy; announces statues for Chola kings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 27) said Operation Sindoor showed the world the way India would respond if its sovereignty was attacked and that the cross-border military offensive has created a new self-confidence across the country.

At his address at Tamil Nadu’s Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Modi said Operation Sindoor also proved that for enemies and terrorists targeting India, there is no safe haven.

Modi was in the village to preside over the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival that marks the birth anniversary of the iconic Chola king Rajendra Chola-I.

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‘Chola kings synonymous with India’s pride’

During his address, Modi said the names of emperors Raja Raja 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. These statues will be "modern pillars of our historic awakening," he added.

The prime minister also praised the military prowess and administrative dexterity of the Chola kings, while noting that the legacy left behind by them has provided a road map for the country to become a developed nation.

Further, Modi said several people spoke about the UK's Magna Carta while commenting on democracy. However, the Chola-era 'Kudavolai system' predated it, he said. The system followed during the Chola era was over 1,000 years ago, he said.

PM dons traditional attire, performs puja

Earlier in the day, the prime minister performed puja at the Chola-era Lord Brihadeeswara temple. Amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai, Modi prayed at the temple and brought a 'kalasam' (metal pot) with traditional decorations, which is believed to contain water from River Ganga regarded as sacred.

On his arrival, the Modi was received by temple priests with traditional temple honours, the "poorana kumbham".

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Clad in veshti (dhoti), white shirt, and angavasthram worn around the neck, Modi 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 prime minister also visited an exhibition organised by the Archaeological Survey of India on Chola Shaivism and architecture.

Grand welcome

Earlier on Sunday, the prime minister held a roadshow soon after his arrival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

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.

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Workers of the BJP and AIADMK enthusiastically gathered on roadsides and they showered flowers and petals on Prime Minister Modi all through the 3-kilometer road show route; the flags of the BJP and AIADMK fluttered.

Commemorative coin

The prime minister released a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola I, and attended the launch of the Tamil Gita album, facilitated by the Chinmaya Mission, remarking that the initiative energises the nation's resolve to preserve its heritage. The PM also released a booklet on "Thirumurai recital," (recital of Saivite hymns).