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Thanjavur, formerly known as Tanjore, is a city in
Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. The city lies on the south bank of the
Kaveri River, 200 miles south of Chennai. Thanjavur is also the capital of
the Thanjavur District
Thanjavur District is the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. The Big Temple and the
other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. Thanjavur
was the cultural capital of the country in 1790. Thanjavur gained prominence
during the period of Chola Kings, who made it as their capital. Thereafter,
it was ruled by Nayaks and Maratta Kings, who nurtured art and culture.
Thanjavur is one of the thirteen coastal districts of Tamil Nadu in the
production of marine fish which accounts for about 5 % of the total marine
fish catch of the State. The district is famous for its exquisite ancient
handicrafts-making of bronze icons, Thanjavur art plates, bell-metal
castings, bowls, napkin and powder boxes of metal with beautiful and
artistic in-laying and engraving work of motifs well known as "Tanjore swami
work". It is equally well-known for pith-work, ornamental fans, mats and
making of musical instruments of jack-wood. It is also a flourishing center
of handloom silk and cotton sarees.
Thanjavur is famous for the Brihadeeswara Temple built by Rajaraja Chola,
the first sailor king of India. The Brihadeeswara Temple also known as the
Big Temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple is enclosed
in two courts, surmounted by a lofty tower and including the exquisitely
decorated shrine of Subrahmanya. Among the other historic buildings is the
Vijayanagara fort, which contains a palace that was expanded by the Maratha
raja Sarfoji with an armoury, a Bell Tower and the Saraswathi Mahal Library,
which contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm
leaf and paper.
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HOW
TO REACH
By air - Thanjavur is easily accessible from other cities of India. In
terms of air transport the Tiruchirapalli airport that is 58 kms away from
Thanjavur is the nearest.
By rail - Thanjavur is directly connected with Trichy, Madurai, Nagore, and
Madras by rail.
By road - The excellent road network links Thanjavur with the major towns in
Tamil Nadu and the neighboring states of Kerala and Karnataka.
WHEN TO GO
Thanjavur can be traveled round the year.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple - Thanjavur has as
many as 74 temples but the most superb is the Sri Brihadeswara temple.
The temple dedicated to Nandi, the Bull is a masterpiece of the
captivating Chola architecture. The mount of Lord Shiva i.e. Nandi has
been made from a single granite rock. Similarly the dome of the temple
rests on one granite rock. The Chola king Raja Raja I built the
Brihadeswara temple way back in the 10th century AD. The architecture of
the temple is simply put beautiful and wondrous the best amongst the
many in the temple town of Thanjavur. The Brihadeswara temple stands 216
ft. tall but it has been built in such a manner that throughout the day
its shadow never falls on the ground! Built by the great Chola
King, Raja Raja I in the 10th Century AD is an outstanding example of
Chola architecture.
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The Palace - The Palace near the temple is a
vast building of masonry built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and
partly by the Marathas.Right next to the temple is the Palace that was
built by the Nayaks and the Marathas in parts is worth visiting for its
magnificent masonry. The Palace is home to the Mannar Saroboji
Saraswathi Mahal Library, Art Gallery and Sangeetha Mahal. In the north
of the Big temple is the Sivagangai Garden, the gorgeous greens must be
visited to check out the amazing flora and fauna.
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Art Gallery - In the Palace there are a number
of granite and bronze statues of the Chola riod.The tourists throng the
Thanjavur Art gallery for its splendid statues in bronze and stone,
which date back to the 9th to the 12th centuries.
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The Saraswathi Mahal Library - The Library
is renowned for its compilation of manuscripts on paper and palm leaves
in several Indian and European languages. The 16th century library is
home to works of ancient and medieval periods. At the library you will
come across the biography of Muhammad Ghazni as well as books on the 64
Bathing Ghats of Varanasi.
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Schwartz Church - (In the Palace garden) Built in
1779 AD by Rajah Serfoji in token of his affection for the
Rev.C.V.Schwartz of the Danish mission. Rajah Serfoji had built the
church in appreciation of the Rev. C.V. Schwartz of the Danish Mission.
The other remarkable structure built by Raja Serfoji is the eight-story
victory tower at Manora, which happens to be at a distance of 5
Kilometers from Thanjavur
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Tamil University (7 Kms.) - Established in
1981, is engaged in research and advanced study in Tamil. The University
Museum has several splendid sculptures, for a captivating collection of
coins and musical instruments do visit the Tamil University Museum. As
it is the Tamil University that opened up recently in the year 1981 is
associated with the research as well as advanced study of Tamil
language.
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Hall of Music - The Sangeetha Mahal or the Hall
of Music is located in the first floor of the Palace. This is a fine
auditorium with perfect acoustics, revealing the engineering skill of
the ancient builders, Also in the Palce is this acoustically perfect
ancient music hall.
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Mariamman Temple - The Mariamman temple is
located 6kms from Thanjavur.
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WHERE TO EAT
There are few good restaurants which serves delicious pure vegetarian food.
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