Fri Jul 18 03:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
This article from *The Hindu* discusses the historical significance of the Gangaikonda Cholisvaram temple and the city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, built by Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century. The city served as the Chola capital for 250 years after Rajendra Chola I shifted it from Thanjavur to commemorate his military expedition to the Gangetic plains. The city was strategically important and was once a bustling center of political, commercial, and cultural activity. Despite its rich history, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is now a desolate village, with the temple as the primary surviving reminder of its glorious past. The article also mentions a call for the commemoration of the millennium since Ganga water was brought to the city.
**News Article:**
**Gangaikonda Cholapuram: A Once-Glorious Chola Capital Fades Into Obscurity**
**Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu – July 18, 2025** – The Gangaikonda Cholisvaram temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as a solitary reminder of the once-thriving city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the capital of the Imperial Chola dynasty for 250 years. Built by Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century to commemorate his military victories in the Gangetic plains, the city rivaled Thanjavur in grandeur and strategic importance.
Historical accounts, including copper plate inscriptions and literary works, detail Rajendra Chola I’s expedition, during which he defeated numerous rulers and brought Ganga water to the city, pouring it into the Chola Gangam lake. The move of the capital from Thanjavur is attributed by some to Rajendra’s desire for a larger, more strategically located city. Historian R. Nagasamy suggests a “sentimental attachment” to the location may have also influenced the decision.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram flourished as a political, commercial, and cultural hub, controlling much of South India. Descriptions from Tamil literature paint a picture of a bustling metropolis with forts, palaces, and well-planned streets. However, the city declined after the fall of the Chola empire in the 13th century. The Pandyas are believed to have razed the city in revenge, leaving only the temple standing.
Today, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a quiet village, its former glory largely forgotten. However, efforts are underway to excavate and showcase the city’s rich past. R. Komagan, chairman of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Development Council Trust, is calling for a commemoration of the millennium since the Ganga water was brought to the city, as a tribute to its founder and his legacy. The Gangaikonda Cholisvaram temple remains a testament to the architectural and artistic achievements of the Chola dynasty, a silent witness to the rise and fall of a once-powerful empire.
First Piper 