Did You Know India’s New ₹1,000 Coin Pays Tribute To A 1000-Year-Old Stunning Chola Temple In South India? | Travel

Did You Know India’s New ₹1,000 Coin Pays Tribute To This 1000-Year-Old Stunning Chola Temple In South India?

Recently, the Indian government released a special ₹1,000 coin, and if you look closely, you’ll see a beautifully carved temple etched on its surface. In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 27) offered prayers at this ancient Shiva temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and participated in the valedictory function of ‘Aadi Thiruvathirai’ festival marking the birth anniversary of King Rajendra Chola. It is at this function that he released a commemorative coin of the Tamil emperor, and the special ₹1,000 coin with a temple on it. That temple is Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a name many may not have heard of but one that holds immense historical and architectural value.

Located in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site

What Is Gangaikonda Cholapuram?

Located in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a grand temple built over 1,000 years ago by Rajaraja Chola I’s son, Rajendra Chola I, one of South India’s greatest rulers. The name means “the town of the Chola who conquered the Ganga,” which Rajendra earned after leading a victorious military campaign all the way to the Ganga River.

PM Modi at the Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

According to history, the king, in a bid to celebrate his victory, built a new capital in the village which he named ‘Gangaikonda Cholapuram’ with a massive Shiva temple that would rival the iconic Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, the former capital of the empire. Though lesser known, many historians and architects consider Gangaikonda Cholapuram just as impressive.

Why Was It Chosen For The Coin?

The coin was issued to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Emperor Rajendra Chola I’s naval expedition, celebrating a milestone in India’s rich architectural and cultural history. The government chose this monument to honour the Chola dynasty’s contribution to Indian art, architecture, and governance. By putting this temple on a coin, the government put the spotlight on a gem of Indian heritage that deserves more recognition.

The name means “the town of the Chola who conquered the Ganga”

The temple is a stunning example of Dravidian architecture, with its towering vimana (temple tower), intricately carved sculptures, and precise symmetry. Unlike other temples, the sanctum of Gangaikonda Cholapuram is built slightly deeper into the ground, giving it a unique design. Inside, the temple houses a massive Shiva Lingam and beautifully detailed carvings of deities, mythical creatures, and celestial dancers. The temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, part of the “Great Living Chola Temples”, along with Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram.

Travel Tip: The temple is about 3 hours from Thanjavur and can easily be added to a South India itinerary that includes Darasuram and Airavatesvara Temple, two other Chola-era masterpieces.

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