The DMK government has revealed its intention to erect a 125-foot statue of Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola at the upcoming Grand Chola Museum in Thanjavur. This statue is set to be the focal point of the museum project, as stated by Public Works Department (PWD) Minister E.V. Velu. The minister emphasized that the statue will be modeled after a similar one near Sivaganga Park in Thanjavur, installed during the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Preparatory work for the statue includes studying the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The foundation and base of the statue in Gujarat were made of steel, with the outer structure crafted from copper plates. Discussions are underway with Larsen & Toubro, the company behind the Patel statue, for the construction of the Raja Raja Chola statue. The Grand Chola Museum, situated in the Tamil University campus at Thanjavur, is a Rs 56.41 crore project overseen by the Museums Department and the PWD.
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced the Grand Chola Museum project in his 2023–24 Budget speech. This museum aims to celebrate the Chola dynasty’s contributions and house various artifacts and monuments from that era. The narrative of the museum will be enriched by the presence of two small bronze idols of Raja Raja Chola and his queen, Lokamadevi, recovered by the Tamil Nadu Police in 2018. These idols will be ceremonially placed at the Thanjavur Big Temple on Sathaya Vizha, the Chola king’s birth star.
The Grand Chola Museum will showcase galleries highlighting the Cholas’ historical significance, Sangam-era origins, religious influence, governance, architectural prowess, and cultural heritage. It will delve into various aspects such as society, economy, literature, trade, naval power, and military strength of the Chola dynasty. The museum, along with the statue, aims to provide a comprehensive insight into one of Tamil civilization’s most prominent dynasties.
