Stalin lays foundation for Chola museum in Thanjavur

Trichy: Chief minister M K Stalin laid the foundation for the Grand Chola Museum in Thanjavur on Friday via videoconferencing. The museum, which will be set up at Rs. 56.4 crore, will highlight the history, arts, culture, and contributions of the Chola Empire.The museum will be constructed on a 50-acre site on the Tamil University campus. According to sources, the state govt also plans to install a 120ft-long statue of King Raja Raja Chola on the campus in future.The proposal for the museum was first announced in the state budget 2023–2024. Subsequently, the tourism department issued an order on Feb 29, 2024, and provided approval for the funds during the financial year 2025–2026.The museum will have a total built-up area of 5,419sqm spread across three floors, reaching an overall height of 22m, including the domes. The entrance area will include a lobby and reception zone equipped with an information desk, ticket counter, and souvenir shop. The ground floor will have an auditorium, a museum laboratory, storage areas, and dedicated rooms for curators. The galleries here will display exhibits on the emergence of the Cholas, artefacts and inscriptions related to the early Chola dynasty, models and murals reflecting the empire's promotion of multi-faith tolerance, as well as sections on revenue administration, naval prowess, and international trade.The first floor will house a 3D theatre offering virtual archaeological tours, administrative offices, a library, and a specialised research wing. The galleries here will focus on the Cholas' architectural achievements, urban planning, water management systems, land administration, art and culture, societal structure, economy, and literary heritage.The second floor will exhibit replicas of bronze sculptures and temple models. The galleries on this level will emphasize maritime trade networks and the Chola Empire's foreign relations.The event in Thanjavur was attended by higher education minister Govi Chezhian, Thanjavur MLA K G Neelamegam and Tiruvarur MLA Durai Chandrasekaran.In a separate event, Stalin also inaugurated a new fire and rescue services station in Srirangam constructed at Rs 4.8 crore, and an integrated commercial taxes department office near Cantonment built at Rs 26.4 crore.