The PM is also likely to visit the Brihadisvara Temple.
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to undertake a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu beginning July 27 during which he will release a commemorative coin of Rajendra Chola of the famed Chola dynasty in Gangaikondacholapuram to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of his conquest of the Gangetic Plains.
Modi is also likely to visit the Brihadisvara Temple, a replica of the famous Brihadeeswara Temple built by Rajendra Chola’s father Rajaraja Chola in Thanjavur. Sources said the Prime Minister will release a coin on Rajendra Chola, who built GangaikondaCholapuram in honour of his father.
At the event, legendary music composer Ilaiyaraja, who in 2005 composed a Symphony on Thiruvasagam, a collection of hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, will perform for about 20 minutes.
The Prime Minister’s presence at the event, a cultural and spiritual occasion in the Tamil Shaivite tradition, is significant given Tamil Nadu will face its crucial assembly elections next year.
During his visit, Modi is also likely to inaugurate the new terminal built at Thoothukudi Airport in Thoothukudi in Southern Tamil Nadu.
After conquering much of Southern India, Rajendra Chola aspired to build a new capital with sacred water from River Ganga. His army defeated many kingdoms en route, and brought back water from the holy river Ganga which was used to build the new city known as Gangaikondacholapuram.
One of the largest temples in India, the Gangaikondacholapuram temple has Shiva as the principal deity with the main temple tower standing 55 metres tall and the imposing building is covered in rich art and sculptures that adorn the premises in absolute grandeur.