CHENNAI: The curtains came down on the millennium celebrations of the Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara Temple here Sunday evening with the state government announcing several development projects for Thanjavur costing around Rs.12 crore.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who attended the closing ceremony, announced the setting up of free dispensary and a cancer department at the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital.
He also said that the government would take up several infrastructural development schemes in Thanjavur with a project outlay of Rs.12 crore.
The chief minister also renamed Semmai paddy as Raja Rajan-1000 in memory of the Chola emperor Raja Raja Cholan who built the temple. A commemorative postage stamp and a five-rupee coin on the temple were also released on the occasion.
He also hoped the central government would release Rs.25 crore for the improvement of tourist facilities in the city.
The function was attended by union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan union ministers A. Raja, V. Narayanaswamy and Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, among others.
Built in 1010 A.D., the temple popularly known as the "Big Temple", is the world's first complete granite temple and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 216-feet tower above the sanctum is one of the tallest in the world.