In December 2018, a 23-year-old woman from Delhi who had traveled to Kumbakonam for work was sexually assaulted by a group of men after getting off a train at the Kumbakonam Railway Station late at night. The News Minute The sequence of events as per the police investigation and trial records was roughly as follows: Courts will uphold strict punishments in cases of sexual violence, particularly where the prosecution proves its case beyond reasonable doubt. Evidence such as survivor testimony and corroborating material — like videos or witness accounts — can be decisive in upholding convictions on appeal.

The Kumbakonam betel leaf of Thanjavur and the Thovalai flower garland of Kanyakumari have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) Tags by the Government of India. The Kumbakonam betel leaf of Thanjavur and the Thovalai flower garland of Kanyakumari have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) Tags by the Government of India. This recognition brings the total number of GI products from Tamil Nadu to 62. The announcement was made after a four-month review period, with the official GI status published in the Government Gazette on November 30, 2024.

A court dismissed a plea seeking permission to build a memorial for Rajaraja Chola, stating it requires scientific evidence and a government policy decision. The Madras High Court bench in Madurai heard a petition requesting a memorial at the purported burial site of Rajaraja Chola in Udayalur, Thanjavur district. The court noted the lack of scientific documentation for the burial claim. The court stated that even with submitted documents, policy decisions on such matters rest with the government, not the judiciary, leading to the case’s closure. The Madras High Court refused to entertain a plea for building a Rajaraja Chola memorial at Udayalur in Kumbakonam taluk, saying there’s no scientific or historical evidence showing the emperor was buried there. The court noted that constructing a memorial based only on belief cannot be ordered judicially; it’s up to the government if credible proof emerges in the future.

Southern Railway has initiated a Rs 99-crore redevelopment project for Kumbakonam Railway Station, with the tendering process underway to select an executing agency. The project, approved by the Railway Board, is expected to be completed within 18 months of awarding the contract. Originally opened in 1877, the historic Kumbakonam station—classified as a Non-Suburban Grade 4 (NSG-4) station—will be demolished and rebuilt with world-class amenities. The detailed project report (DPR) includes features such as separate entry and exit points, a departure lobby with ticketing facilities, escalators and lifts, a spacious concourse with diverse waiting lounges, cloakroom, baby care room, retail and F&B outlets, and Tamil Nadu Tourism kiosks. Additional infrastructure includes electric vehicle charging stations, modern parking, and advanced security systems like baggage scanners and metal detectors. Officials confirm the station will be ready ahead of the next Mahamaham festival in March, 2028, which draws a large influx of pilgrims to the temple town.