PM Modi's visit sets off tourism boom at Gangaikonda Cholapuram

TEN days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gangaikonda Cholapuram, hordes of people have also started paying a visit to the historic site.

- P THIRUSELVAM @Ariyalur

According to local officials, both domestic and international tourists are flocking to the town to explore the Chola-era architectural marvel.

On July 27, Prime Minister Modi visited the temple to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Emperor Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition to Southeast Asia, coinciding with the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival. Dressed in traditional Tamil attire, he offered prayers at the sanctum of the Brihadeeswarar temple.

The PM also attended a live concert by maestro Ilaiyaraaja and released several commemorative works. Videos and images from the event quickly went viral, kindling fresh interest in the temple and the Cholas.

According to the Tamil Nadu tourism department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the average daily footfall of visitors has nearly tripled in the last one week.