Kanchipuram, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited (Chola), the financial services arm of the Murugappa Group has announced its collaboration with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department (TNHRCE) to support the development of visitor amenities at the historic Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram. This initiative is part of the Adopt a Heritage 2.0 program and underscores Cholamandalam’s commitment to conserving India’s cultural heritage. The Kailasanathar Temple is one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest architectural marvels, located in Karuppadithattadai, Kanchipuram. It stands as a testament to the Pallava dynasty’s cultural and architectural legacy.

The Adopt a Heritage 2.0 is an initiative led by ASI under the Ministry of Culture, aims to enhance the visitor experience at protected monuments by developing essential amenities and infrastructure. The program fosters collaboration between public and private entities including corporations, trusts, NGOs, and societies, to preserve heritage sites while promoting economic growth in surrounding regions. These entities, known as ‘Monument Mitras,’ contribute to the development and maintenance of amenities at monuments and sites initially for a period of Five years by means of a bipartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Mr. Ravindra Kumar Kundu, Managing Director & CEO of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance, expressed pride in the initiative “We at Chola are honoured to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the Kailasanathar Temple, a monument of immense cultural and historical significance. Through the partnership with ASI and TNHRCE, Chola aims to create sustainable tourism infrastructure, improve visitor experiences, and support local communities. The heritage is not only about safeguarding history but also about paving the way for a thriving and inclusive future”

Through this collaboration, Cholamandalam and its partners will focus on creating essential tourism infrastructure and amenities, including parking, sanitation facilities, and visitor information to provide correct narratives about the temple through an interpretation centre and sculpture museum, and monument illumination. The project aims to enhance accessibility and promote cultural and historical awareness while ensuring the site’s long-term preservation through sustainable practices.

The Kailasanathar Temple holds immense historical value as a hallmark of Pallava-era architecture. Located at Karuppadithattadai in Kanchipuram, it is regarded as one of the oldest surviving monuments in the region, with its construction dating back to the 8th century AD. The temple was placed on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2021, which has been recognized for its cultural, architectural and historical significance and is being considered for future inclusion. The temple’s adoption under the Adopt a Heritage 2.0 scheme for FY 2024-25 reflects Chola’s dedication to preserving India’s rich cultural legacy while offering visitors a unique blend of historical and modern experiences.

This partnership highlights Chola’s commitment to integrating history with progress, ensuring that the Kailasanathar Temple continues to inspire awe and admiration for generations to come.

To mark the initiation of the project implementation, a foundation ceremony is being held on January 20th, 2025, in the presence of all significant stakeholders and the Cholamandalam team.