Valluvar Kottam is one of the largest arenas in Asia, and it can seat up to 4,000 people
Valluvar Kottam has been made in the heart of the city to honour the Tirukkural.
Tamil Nadu, steeped in cultural richness, boasts numerous ancient monuments, and among them is the revered Valluvar Kottam in Chennai. Positioned at the heart of the city, it stands as a tribute to the Tirukkural, a renowned Tamil literary work celebrated for its profound ideas. Originating from the visionary efforts of then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in the 1970s, this architectural gem captures the essence of Thiruvalluvar’s contributions. Valluvar Kottam, acclaimed for its intricate design and innovative construction, stands as a testament to the state’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and promoting its literary legacy.
Valluvar Kottam has been built in the shape of a chariot. The monument is 39 metres (128 feet) tall and is a replica of the temple chariot at Tiruvarur. An idol of Thiruvalluvar has also been installed on the chariot of Valluvar Kottam. One of the most prominent features of this monument is that it is very lifelike. Another major highlight of this place is the massive, pillarless arena. A beautiful entrance gate has been installed, which welcomes tourists in front. Crossing the meadow that follows, the tourist will reach an arena where all the 1330 couplets from all 133 chapters of Tirrukural have been engraved. This is one of the largest arenas in Asia, and it can seat up to 4,000 people.
It has been found that despite such a huge capacity, people have stopped visiting the monument, and the government has been putting in efforts to attract people to the monument.
To attract today’s youth and tourists, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to renovate Valluvar Kottam. There have been reports that the Public Works Department (PWD) is going to renovate the Valluvar sector of Chennai with modern facilities such as libraries, theatres, and restaurants as a way to attract tourists.
It is also reported that the Valluvar section will be renovated at a cost of around Rs 30 crore. Reportedly, PWD is preparing a detailed project report for the renovation, and once it is completed, a government order will be issued and the work will begin.
