PM Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, prays at Chola-era Lord Shiva temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow here on Sunday soon after his arrival to preside over a function to mark the birth anniversary of the iconic Chola king Rajendra Chola-I.

During the roadshow, the prime minister stood on the running board of his vehicle and waved at the people who lined up on both sides of the road.

Workers of the BJP and AIADMK enthusiastically gathered on roadsides and they showered flowers and petals on Prime Minister Modi all through the 3-kilometer road show route; the flags of the BJP and AIADMK fluttered.

PM Modi started his roadshow after leaving the helipad at Ponneri and it culminated at the Chola-era Lord Brihadeeswara temple.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the 'victory city' constructed by Rajendra Chola following his victorious maritime expedition to South East Asia about 1,000 years ago.

The prime minister arrived here from the Tiruchirappalli airport by an IAF chopper.

PM Modi worshipped at the Chola-era Lord Brihadeeswara temple here on Sunday.

Amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai, PM Modi prayed at the temple and brought a 'kalasam' (metal pot) with traditional decorations which is believed to contain water from River Ganga regarded as sacred.

On his arrival, the PM was received by temple priests with traditional temple honours, the "poorana kumbham".

Clad in veshti (dhoti), white shirt and angavasthram worn around the neck, the prime minsiter circumambulated the inner corridor of the temple, a part of the great living Chola temples, a UNESCO heritage site. He also offered prayers by conducting a "deeparathanai."

The PM also visited an exhibition organised by the Archaeological Survey of India on Chola Shaivism and architecture.

Modi is in Tamil Nadu for a two-day visit.

PTI