The Gangaikondacholapuram Development Council Trust has called upon the Centre to name the Tiruchi International Airport after Rajendra Chola.
The Council, comprising heritage enthusiasts and local residents, has sought the issue of a coin in his name “as a tribute to the achievements of the great Chola Emperor.”
In a statement, R. Komagan, chairman of the trust, said the Esalam copper plates are the primary and earliest evidence that Gangaikondacholisvaram temple was built by Rajendra Chola. However, there is no direct evidence about when the construction of the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple was started and completed. It is believed that Rajendra Chola might have started building the temple after his Gangetic expedition as a memorial to his victory and name his capital city Gangaikondacholapuram. Various inscriptions indicate that the expedition was completed in his 11th Regnal year, 1023 CE and brought the holy Ganges water to sanctify the capital city and Gangaikondacholisvaram.
“It is known from the Thiruvalangadu copper plates that he dug a large lake named Chola Ganga in his capital and poured Ganges water into it. The large lake is known as Ponneri. Therefore, one thousand years have passed since the sacred Ganges water was brought to this city, a 16-mile large lake was dug and the water was mixed into it,” Mr. Komagan said.
The occasion should be suitably commemorated by the release of a coin and naming the Tiruchi Airport after the king, who was a prominent figure in India history, Mr. Komagan added.
Published – July 07, 2025 05:20 pm IST
