Thanjavur - Tourist Information
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Thanjavur - Tourist Information
Thanjavur is famous for the Brahadeeswara Temple (also called as Brihadeeswara temple) built by Rajaraja Chola, the first sailor king of India. The Brahadeeswara 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 king Serfoji II 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.
Thanjavur is one of the chief political, literary and religious centres of southern India, known for its contribution to Carnatic music, it has produced many classical musicians and Bharathanatyam dancers. Tiruvaiyaru, which is close to Thanjavur, is the place where the great musician Saint Tyagaraja lived. It is also 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.
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Tourist Office, Jawan's Bhavan,
Opp. Head Post Office, Thanjavur, India
Phone : +91- 4362-230984.
Tourist Information Centre,
Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex,
Gandhiji Road, Thanjavur, India
Phone : +91-4362-231421
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 Palace, on the east main street is a series of large and rambling buildings of fine masonry, built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD, and partly by the Marathas.On the southern side of the third quadrangle is a Vimana like building, 190 feet high with eight storeys and it is the Goodagopuram. Madamaligai is the tower which rises from the palace roof beyond the Goodagopuram. It has six storeys.
Art Gallery: In the Palace there are a number of granite and bronze statues of the Chola period. Visiting Times: 9.00 - 13.00 hrs and 15.00 - 18.00 hrs.
Saraswathi Mahal Library: 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.Visiting Times: 9.00 - 13.00 hrs and 14.00 - 17.00 hrs.Wednesday Holiday. This library has one of the most important oriental manuscripts collections, in India. Established around 1700 AD, the library contains a collection of over 44,000 palm leaf, and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages. Over eighty per cent of its manuscripts are in Sanskrit, many on palm leaves, some very rare or even unique. The Tamil works includes treatises on medicine, and commentaries on works from the Sangam period.
Hall of Music: Also in the Palce is this acoustically perfect ancient music hall.
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.
Sivaganga Tank: Situated near the palace this tank is known for its sweet water.
Thirukandiyur (10 kms.): Temples of Brahmasirekandeswarar and Harshavimochana Perumal.
Kumbakonam (36 kms.): Famous for Sarangapani, Kumbeswarar, Nageswara and the Remaswamy temple. Mahamagam congregation takes place once in 12 years, last held in 1992.
Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) (105 kms.): This coastal town was a Danish settlement from 1624 to 1825. There are two churches and a fort. This is one of the special tourist areas.
Swamimalai (32 kms.): One of the six Abodes (Arupadaiveedu) dedicated to Lord Subramanya.
Darasuram (34 kms): This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva, was built by Rajendra Chola. Darasuram is also a silk weaving centre. Darasuram: Darasuram, 34 Kms away, has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which was built by Rajendra Chola. It also boasts a silk weaving centre.
Thirubuvanam (45 kms): 13th Century Chola temple dedicated to Lord Siva.
Thiruvaiyaru (13 kms.): Where the famous Thyagaraja lived and attained etesnity. A music festival is held here every January in honour of the saint.
Nagore (88 kms.): A renowned Muslim Pligrim centre.
Vailankanni (90 kms.): Roman Catholic Pilgrim centre.
Kodikkarai (Point Calimere) (112 kms.):This place is noted for its congregation of migratory water fowl, particularly flamingoes from November to January. Other wildlife like blackbuck and wild ponies are also found here.
Vedaranyam (104 kms.): Festivals, on full moon days in the Tamil Months of Adi (July-August) and Thai (January-February) attract pilgrims from all over Tamil Nadu.
Manora (65 kms.): The 8-Storey victory tower was built by Rajah Serfoji in 1814.
Nagapattinam (83 kms.): Nagapattinam is an important port town. TTDC runs a Hotel Tamil Nadu here.
Tiruvarur (55 kms.): The Thyagarajaswami Temple here has the biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. This is the birth place of Saint Thyagaraja - One of the musical trinity.
Thirunallar (101 kms.): The famous saturn temple town.
Vaitheeswaran Kovil: Vaitheeswaran, Thaiyal Nayaki, Muthukumaraswamy (Shiva, Parvathi, Subramanya Swamy) An ancient temple dedicated to Shiva - as Vaitheeswaran literally meaning the divine provider of cures. Adorned with imposing towers, Mandapams and pillars, this well visited shrine has been sung by the Saivite Saint Poets. It is of said that Angarakan - Mars, Kartikeya, Jatayu and the Rig Veda worshipped Shiva here. This shrine is also referred to as an Angarakasthalam
Swamimalai: Located 32 Kms away, Swamimalai is one of the six abodes (Arupadaiveedu) dedicated to Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan preached Pranava mantra "OM" to Lord Shiva and that why he is called Swaminathan. The 60 steps to the temple indicate the 60 years of the Tamil calendar. This temple is praised by Arunagirinadar. Every Thursday, Lord Swaminathan is decorated with Diamond Vel.
Sikkal singaravelavar Temple : Around 80 Kms from Thanjavur situated in Nagapattinam Tiruvarur Main Road. The ancient history says here only Lord Murugan got the 'Sakthi Vel' from Parvathi (refered as Velnedunkanni amman in this temple ) and killed Suran. This temple is one of the few temples in Tamilnadu which has both Siva and Vishnu in the same campus. The 'Vel vankuthal' festival in the Tamil month of Iyappasi is very famous here.
Sirkazhi: Goddess Parvathi gave Gnana milk to Thirugnana Sambandar here, when he was a child. After this, he sang the famous Devaram. Lord Shiva as Thoniappar resides in a thoni (boat). The boat symbolizes that Thoniappar helps people cross their sea of birth. Every year during Thiruvadirai Nakshatra of Chiithirai month, the famous Thirumulaippal Utsav is held.
Vyagrapureeswarar Temple : Around 80 Kms from Thanjavur, situated 3/4 Km North of Ramarmadam Busstop in Nagapattinam - Tiruvarur Main Road. The ancient history says Kamadhenu, the devalogha cow prayed to Lord shiva in this shrine to get rid of its sabam. One more speciality about this temple, on evenings, Nataraja is worshipped first prior to all other gods. This is also referred as Dhakshina Chidambaram. chidambaram is where famous temple of lord Nataraja located. This village is also called as Vyagrapuri named after the lord.
Poompuhar: Was the capital and port city of Cholas, also called as Kaveeripumpattinam, as the river Cauvery drains into the Bay of Bengal here only. Kovalan and Kannagi of the great epic Silappathikaram, written by Ilangovadigal, lived in this town. "Silappathikara Kalaikkodam" a panorama of sculptures depicting scenes from Silappathikaram.
Mannargudi: Rajagopala Temple, Lord Krishna is featured as Rajagopala in Rajagopala Temple, Mannargudi. This temple was constructed in the 12th century and received patronage from the Nayaka Kings.
Mayiladuthurai: Used to be called Mayuram, situated on the banks of river Cauvery. Mayuranatha Swami temple, Parimala Ranganatha Swamy temple, Kasi Vishwanatha Swamy temple, Punukeeswarar temple, Vadhanyeswarar temple and Ayyarappar temple are some of the famous temples in Mayiladuthurai.
Thanjavur - Tourist Information
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