Thanjavur - The Chola Legacy

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Thanjavur

Introduction:

 Thanjavur is one of the oldest cities in India and this is eleventh largest city in Tamilnadu state in India. Thanjavur is a municipality and the headquarters of the Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu, it has been the treasure house of art for centuries. Thanjavur is called the Rice Bowl of Tamilnadu. The name Thanjavur is origin from "Tanjan", a legendary asura in Hindu mythology. The city rose into conspicuousness during the rule of the Later Cholas when it served as the capital of the Chola empire. After the fall of the Cholas, the city was ruled by the Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, the Madurai Nayaks, the Thanjavur Nayaks, the Thanjavur Marathas and the British. Thanjavur town is a important agricultural center in Tamilnadu. The Thanjavur town is located in the centre of the Kavery delta. Its 320 kms from the state capital Chennai and 56 kms from Tiruchirapalli. Tanjore is well known for  its unique painting style called Tanjore Painting, a percussion instrument called the Thavil, a divine classical string instrument Veenai and the Thanjavur Dolls. The Tanjore paintings are very popular and are renown around the world.

Attraction in Thanjavur:

Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple:  Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple is the one of the most attractive Temple in Thanjavur. This Temple is built by the great Chola King, Raja Raja I in the 10th Century AD. Its a outstanding example of Chola architecture.

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. The Thanjavur Palace, as it is Known, has huge halls, spacious corridors, observation & arsenal towers and a shady courtyard.

Art Gallery: In the Thanjavur Palace there are a number of granite and bronze statues of the Chola and Nayaka period. This art gallery gives information about the entire history of Tamil Nadu from the 9th century to 18th century AD.

Saraswathi Mahal Library: Saraswathi Mahal Library is one of the few medieval Libraries that exist in the world. The Library was started as a Royal Palace Library during the Nayak Kingdom over 1535-1673 A. D. and it was developed by the Maratha Kings of Thanjavur in 1676-1855 A D. In another section of the Palace is the library where over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in India and European languages are preserved 

Sivaganga Tank: Situated near the palace this tank is known for its sweet water.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area	29.24 sq. kms.
Population	200,216 (1991 census)
Altitude	59 meters
Cleimate	Max. Min.
Summer	36.6oc 32.5oc
Winter	23.5oc 22.8oc
Rainfall	111.37 mm average
Season	Throughout the year
Clothing	Tropical.
Language	Tamil, English and Marathi.