Raja Raja Chola I’s Birth Anniversary Celebration in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

• Celebrates the birth anniversary of the legendary Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I annually during the Sadhaya Vizha in Thanjavur.

• Born as Arulmozhi Varman in 947 CE, Raja Raja Chola I was a visionary ruler who inherited his ancestors’ legacy and crafted a flourishing empire.

• His reign, from 985 to 1014 CE, was marked by military prowess and profound administrative vision.

• The celebration takes place in the Tamil month of Aippasi (mid-October to mid-November), honoring the legacy of a ruler whose influence extended to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

• The celebration is centered at the iconic Brihadeeswarar Temple, a tribute to Raja Raja’s devotion to Lord Shiva.

• The event includes religious ceremonies, cultural performances, and a procession carrying the deity through the temple.

• The celebrations extend to Udaiyalur near Kumbakonam, where Raja Raja Chola’s mortal remains are believed to be interred.

• The temple houses Tamil inscriptions detailing the temple’s construction, daily rituals, offerings, and special worship ceremonies.