But WE - Gokul - Vizag Dhiwakar - Orissa Balu - REACH CHANDRA's Sister Mrs. UMA & Chandra (of course) - started exchanging mails and mooted the idea of 1000 yr of Rajarajeswaram in the year 2006 - recalling that it was in the year 1006 AD - the foundtion stones were laid for the big temple !!
We brought this to the kind attention of then ASI Suptt Dr. Thyaga Sathyamurthy - Dr. Kudavayil and several other Scholars and to the polity. Though we could not succeed in drawing the attention of the Power Centres in 2006, slowly this gained momentum and now we have seen the 1000th Year Celebrations are conducted in grand scale by our State Government in collaboration with ASI - State Archaelogy and INDAG also participated !!
Undoubtedly we can feel pride that our PS Group has sparked this idea for such a grand celebration.
As our dear Vijay rightly pointed out - along with the Big temple foundation,
Kudavai Jinalayam by Kundavai (Near Tindivanam) and
SUNDARA CHOLA VINNAGARAM ( Karivaradha perumal) (near Tindivanam)
by Pinranthagan Azhwar Kundavai Pirattiyar !!
Another RAJARAJECHARAM by Krishnan Raman (who constructed Thiruchutru to the Big temple) at the instance of Kundavai Pirattiyar in Dadapuram (near Esalam / Tindivanam)
- Foundation was this also was laid in the same year 1006 AD !!
That the 25th Year - SILVER JUBILEE YEAR of Rajaraja I - was an eventful Year !!
His Secular Credentials also came to light.
It is also interesting to note that NAGAI BUDDHA VIHARAM also commenced almost in the same period as could be seen from the GREATER LEYDEN GRANTS ( Aanamangalam Village Granted to this Buddha Vihar!!).
It also should be interesting to note that later - while the Nagarathar's Ambassador met the Chinese Emperor in 1015 AD in China -they humbly pointed out that such Buddha Vihar is constructed in the Southern India and permission to construct a similar such Siva Temple in China may be granted by His Majesty and accordingly it was granted - quoting Historian Lee !!
There was a tag that the Bigtemple was inauspicious in certain ways etc., etc.
THE GRAND SCALE CELEBRATIONS, THE SOUL SEARCHING SPEECHES BY THE SCHOLARS AND THE POWER SEATs, in memory of the 1000th Year of the Temple construction -
have eradicated such negative observations -
thanks to our Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr. Kalaignar!!
A commemoration Coin, A commemoration STAMP issued by the Central Government !!
Truly Fitting Tribute to the Emperor who has brought Glory to all of us !!