Celebration Of 1,000 Years of Rajendra Chola’s Legendary Maritime Expedition

Posted 24 Jul 2025

2 min read

Ministry of Culture is celebrating the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Rajendra Chola I’s maritime expedition to Southeast Asia.

The festival also honours Tamil Shaiva Bhakti traditions, especially the 63 Nayanmars, saint-poets supported by the Chola dynasty.

An image showing expanse and influence of Chola empire.

About Rajendra Chola I (1014 to 1044 CE)

He was son of the Rajaraja I the most powerful Chola ruler who became a King in 985.
He conquered the Ganga valley earning the title Gangaikonda Cholan (“The Chola who conquered the Ganges”).
- To commemorate this victory, he founded a new capital named Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and also built a temple of same name.
He led successful naval expeditions against Sri Lanka and the powerful Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia (refer the map).
- The name Sri Vijaya Puram for the A&N Islands’ capital is inspired by this victory.
- Srivijaya was a dominant maritime power in Southeast Asia by the 7th century.

About Chola Empire

Beginnings: Started as minor chiefs in Uraiyur under Pallava, the Cholas rose to power in the 9th century under Vijayalaya Chola.
Local Governance: Irrigation helped ur (settlements of peasants) prosper. Groups of such villages formed nadu, which handled justice, and tax collection.
Tax System: Common ones include Vetti (forced labour), and Kadamai (land revenue).
Key inscription: Uttaramerur inscriptions that detail the Chola administrative system and elections.
Cultural Marvels
- Splendid Temples: The Great Living Chola Temples (Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Airavatesvara, and Brihadeeswara) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Bronzes: Known for exquisite bronze sculptures, especially the iconic Nataraja.