Cultural Power Play: PM Modi’s Tribute to the Cholas in Tamil NaduCultural Power Play: PM Modi’s Tribute to the Cholas in Tamil NaduPrime Minister Modi joined the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival to honour the birth anniversary of Emperor Rajendra Chola I at the UNESCOHe offered prayers and participated in temple festivities amidst Tamil Shaiva Bhakti traditionsModi released a ₹1,000 silver coin marking 1,000 years since Rajendra Chola’s maritime conquest to Southeast AsiaA massive 8 km roadshow greeted Modi with flower showers streets adorned with BJP and AIADMK flags and Chola imageryModi praised Rajendra Chola’s legacy naval supremacy, democratic innovation, cultural expansion across South and Southeast AsiaHe emphasized the Chola-era democratic Kudavolai system, calling it a precursor to modern governance and a symbol of heritage-led developmentModi quoted “Anbe Sivam” and underscored how Shaiva philosophy guided Chola diplomacy and cultural integrationOver 1,300 police personnel, temporary helipad and surveillance measures in place ensuring smooth execution of the event and associated roadshow