Thanjavur Temple, Tamilnadu, Hindu Pilgrimage in India
THANJAVUR
FACTS & FIGURES
Location:
Tamil Nadu, southeastern
India
Best time to Visit: Throughout the year
Significance : 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.
Best time to Visit: Throughout the year
Significance : 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.
Thanjavur,
formerly known as
Tanjore.
The city lies on
the south bank of
the Kaveri River,
200 miles south
of Chennai. 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 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 Past
A
demon by the name
of Tanjan-an asura
lends its name to
the terrific town
of Thanjavur. As
per the legend the
last wish of the
demon was that the
place should be
named after him,
Sri Anandavalli
Amman and Sri Neelamegapperumal
granted it.
Pilgrim/Tourist Attractions in Thanjavur
Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple

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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Mariamman Temple
The Mariamman temple is located 6kms from Thanjavur.How to Reach Thanjavur
Air
: In terms of air
transport the Tiruchirapalli
airport that is
58 kms away from
Thanjavur is the
nearest.
Rail
:Thanjavur is directly
connected with Trichy,
Madurai, Nagore,
and Madras by rail.
Road
:The excellent road
network links Thanjavur
with the major towns
in Tamil Nadu and
the neighboring
states of Kerala
and Karnataka.