Celebrating the Legacy of Raja Raja Chola I

Sub : History

Sec : Medieval India

Why in News

The birth anniversary of the revered Chola Emperor, Raja Raja Chola I, is celebrated annually with great enthusiasm during the Sadhaya Vizha festival in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. This celebration commemorates the emperor’s military achievements and cultural contributions, making it a notable event in Indian history.

About Raja Raja Chola I:

Born as Arulmozhi Varmanin 947 CE.
Reigned as Raja Raja Chola Ifrom 985 to 1014 CE. Also known as Raja Raja the Great.
Belonged to the Chola Dynasty, one of the longest-ruling dynasties in South India.
Expanded the Chola Empire to include parts of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and southern India.
Successfully captured northern Sri Lanka and named it Mummudi Chola Mandalam.
Annexed territories of the Pandyas and Cheras, asserting Chola dominance.
Established Chola naval supremacy in the Indian Ocean, leading to the first overseas conquests in Indian history.

Administrative Reforms:

Introduced efficient revenue administrationand a well-structured bureaucracy.
Conducted land surveysto assess resources and implement tax collection.
Standardized weights and measures, enhancing economic management.
Divided the empire into administrative units called Valanadu(province) and Kurram (sub-division).

Cultural Contributions:

A great patron of art, architecture, and literature.
Commissioned the construction of the Brihadeeswarar Templein Thanjavur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Promoted Tamil literatureand encouraged the composition of religious texts and hymns.
Supported Saivism(devotion to Lord Shiva), reflected in temple architecture and iconography.

Economic Achievements:

Strengthened the economy through irrigation projectsand development of agricultural infrastructure.
Promoted trade with Southeast Asia, establishing strong maritime trade routes.
Issued high-quality gold and copper coins, standardizing currency and trade.

Legacy:

Laid the foundation for the Chola naval fleet, making the Cholas a dominant naval power.
His governance style set a precedent for administrative efficiencyand cultural patronage.
His life and rule are popularized in Tamil literature, particularly in Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel Ponniyin Selvan.

Religious Patronage:

Built and renovated several temples, solidifying his reputation as a temple builder.
Generous patron of Shaiva sects, promoting the worship of Shiva.
Endowed temples with lands, gold, and other resources for the conduct of religious ceremonies.

Death and Succession:

Died in 1014 CE and was succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola I, who expanded the empire further.
His burial site is believed to be at Udaiyalur, near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

About Chola Dynasty:

The Cholas (8th-12th century AD) are remembered as one of the longest ruling dynasties in the southern regions of India.
The reign of the Cholas began in the 9th century when they defeated the Pallavasto come into power. This rule stretched over for over five long centuries until the 13th century.
The medieval period was the era of absolute power and development for the Cholas. This is when kings like Aditya I and Parantaka
From here Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Cholafurther expanded the kingdom into the Tamil region.
Later Kulothunga Cholatook over Kalinga to establish a strong rule. This magnificence lasted until the arrival of the Pandyas in the early 13th century.

Sadhaya Vizha Celebrations:

The Sadhaya Vizha is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aippasi (mid-October to mid-November) with religious and cultural activities.
The heart of the celebrations is the iconic Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, a symbol of Raja Raja’s devotion and architectural legacy.
The festival includes sacred rituals such as the abhishekam (holy bath) of Lord Peruvudaiyar, followed by the perundeepa vazhipaadu, a lamp-waving ceremony, and the swami purappadu, a grand procession of the deity.
The celebrations feature classical dance performances and hymns sung by traditional Tamil singers, known as odhuvars.

About Brihadeeswarar Temple:

The Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as the “Big Temple,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a prime example of Chola architecture, dedicated to Lord Shiva (Peruvudaiyar).
Raja Raja Chola I personally oversaw the temple’s construction, ensuring it stood as a testament to his devotion and vision. The temple remains a symbol of Chola grandeur.
The temple contains extensive Tamil inscriptions that provide details on its construction, rituals, offerings, and administrative matters, highlighting Raja Raja’s meticulous planning.