In a spectacular tribute to one of India’s greatest emperors, the central government is hosting a grand five-day cultural festival in Tamil Nadu to celebrate the legacy of Chola ruler Rajendra Chola I — with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to attend the grand finale on July 27.

The festival, held at the historic site of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, marks the 1,000th anniversary of Rajendra Chola’s legendary maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and the beginning of construction on the iconic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple — a masterpiece of Chola architecture.

Kicking off on July 23, the event is designed to immerse visitors in the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Chola dynasty. Each evening will feature traditional performances, including Bharatanatyam recitals by Kalakshetra artists and devotional Devaram Thirumurai chanting by students from the South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur.

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The festival will culminate in a spectacular musical finale by Padma Vibhushan awardee Ilaiyaraaja and his troupe, delivering a powerful homage to the Chola era’s artistic brilliance.

Special exhibitions, heritage walks, and guided tours curated by the Archaeological Survey of India will also offer deeper insight into the Chola empire’s enduring legacy.

Prime Minister Modi will join the concluding ceremony alongside key dignitaries, underlining the national significance of the emperor’s legacy and Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage.

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