Work on Gangaikonda Cholapuram museum set to begin by Pongal

Work to construct the Gangaikonda Cholapuram museum on the premises of Brihadisvarar temple, a world heritage site in Ariyalur district, is set to begin by mid-January next year

Work to construct the Gangaikondacholapuram museum near the Arulmigu Peruvudaiyar temple, a world heritage site in Ariyalur district, is set to begin by mid-January next year.

The Public Works Department has started preliminary work to build the archaeological museum to commemorate the legacy of Chola dynasty and significance of the famous temple.

Spread over 4.14 hectares, the museum would be located within 150-metre radius of the temple to attract tourists. The ₹22.10-crore museum would be constructed with joint efforts of the Public Works, Tourism, Culture, Religious Endowment and Archaeology departments. This is among several other joint initiatives to establish museums, including the one in Keeladi.

Officials of the Building Centre and Conservation Division said the museum would be constructed on an area of 25,017 sq. ft. with display halls both on the ground and first floors. Besides a central dome, the exterior portion of the building would be designed in temple architectural style. A large central display hall would display antiques unearthed from excavation sites in Maligaimedu and Gangaikonda Cholapuram and have large frames to showcase information about the explorations and history and achievements of Chola rulers be it construction techniques, maritime culture or equipment used.

While the ground floor would have five small display halls, the first floor would have six mini display halls built in an area of 9,135 sq. ft. The project would be completed in 18 months, said K.P. Sathyamurthy, Engineer-in-Chief, PWD (Buildings).

The department would build a compound wall with murals, ornamental entry arches, complete landscaping and form an approach road to the museum. A large statue of king Rajendra Chola would welcome the visitors at the site. Once the main structure is completed, the statues to be installed in the statue garden around the museum would be finalised, the officials said.

The design for the museum had been prepared by Karvin design consultants. Some of the amenities planned in the second phase include amphitheatre, integrated parking facility and tourist amenities centre with additional funds, they added.