Tamil Nadu CM inaugurates ₹301.71-crore Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam, a ₹301.71-crore facility in Coimbatore on Thursday, marking a significant addition to the state's cultural infrastructure. The complex, dedicated to social reformer and rationalist Thanthai Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, aims to serve as a centre for knowledge dissemination and cultural preservation.

As part of the inauguration ceremony, Stalin unveiled a bronze statue of Periyar at the facility, honouring the legacy of the freedom fighter and social activist who championed the causes of social equality and rationalism in Tamil Nadu. The monument serves as a focal point within the broader campus dedicated to his ideals and contributions to Indian society.

The Periyar Arivulagam is envisioned as a multifaceted institution combining educational, cultural, and recreational spaces. The facility is expected to host exhibitions, seminars, and programmes centred on Periyar's philosophy and contributions to the rationalist movement in South India.

The project reflects the state government's commitment to preserving and promoting the legacy of social reformers who shaped Tamil Nadu's intellectual and political landscape. Periyar, who lived from 1879 to 1973, remains an influential figure in the state's cultural consciousness and continues to inspire contemporary discourse on social justice and rational thinking.