ARIYALUR: PM Narendra Modi praised the Chola dynasty as a shining example of India’s historical and cultural legacy, announcing plans to erect statues of emperors Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola in Tamil Nadu.“These statues will serve as modern pillars of India’s historical consciousness,” Modi said Sunday at Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, commemorating Rajendra Chola I’s birth anniversary at the Brihadisvara temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram of Ariyalur district.Wearing a traditional dhoti and angavastram, Modi invoked the Cholas’ contributions to Shaivism and temple architecture, describing their era (300 BCE-1300 CE) as one of India’s golden ages, defined by cultural achievement, strategic vision, and naval prowess. Modi released a commemorative coin in Rajendra Chola’s honour and symbolically poured Ganga water at the temple, echoing the emperor’s famed expedition to bring the river’s waters southward a millennium ago.“The economic and strategic advancements achieved during the Chola era remain a source of inspiration,” Modi said. “Tamil Nadu remains one of the most significant centres where this living tradition continues to thrive.”He also underlined efforts to repatriate India’s looted heritage. “Since 2014, over 600 ancient artefacts have been brought back from abroad, including 36 from Tamil Nadu,” he said.The PM marked the day as also being the death anniversary of former President APJ Abdul Kalam. “India needs millions of youth like Kalam and the Chola kings to lead a developed nation,” he said. While Modi addressed the gathering, dozens of Congress workers in Trichy were detained for waving black flags and protesting his visit.