Thanjavur has many charms and draws acclaim for its ancient temples, rich culture and enormous agricultural produce.

Located in South India, Thanjavur is often referred to as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. This city is also known as Thanjai in the native language Tamil. Counted as being amongst the most ancient cities in India, its history dates back to the Sangam period. Thanjavur is named after the legendary asura or demon of Hindu mythology, Tanjan.

A tour to Tamil Nadu is incomplete without a visit to this rich cultural and historical abode of Thanjavur.

History of Thanjavur

The history of Thanjavur mirrors that of many other South Indian cities. The Cholas were the earliest rulers and made this historic city their capital. This was followed by a brief rule under the Pandyas. They were then succeeded by the Vijaynagar Empire. The Nayaks followed suit and later the Marathas held siege of this city. Finally Thanjavur shared a similar fate as was the case with the rest of India and was occupied by the British till India gained independence in 1947.

Tourism in Thanjavur

The Brahadeewarar temple otherwise known as the “Big temple” is probably the most famous tourist destination in Thanjavur. Built by the Cholas this Lord Shiva temple has been declared as a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO. Besides the massive “Mahalingam” in the main shrine and the monolithic sculpture of the Nandhi, the fresco paintings which color the inner walls of the temple are an added attraction.

Close to the temple is the Thanjavur palace. This imposing structure was initially built in the 14^th century AD by the Nayaks and later the work was completed by the Marathas. The palace is home to the Maratha royal family and is filled with large halls, towers, corridors and stucco works.

For the connoisseur of art, the art gallery may be of special interest. It exhibits several bronze and stone sculpted artifacts which are of special importance to a student of history. Of course one must also endeavor to mention the Saraswathi Mahal library. It is counted as one the few libraries in the world which is home to a splendid collection of medieval literature.

The Sangeeth Mahal, the Maratha Durbar hall and the royal museum are other places of interest.

For those interested in Tamil literature, the Tamil University in the city can be an interesting stop over. Established in 1981, the university has made great strides in advancing the Tamil language and spreading its usage across the state.

You can spend the evening taking a stroll along the Sivaganga tank. This tank lies behind the temple wall and is known for its natural sweetness.

The best time to visit Thanjavur is between October to March.

So if you are planning a tour to South India and would like to revel in its cultural and historic heritage, then Thanjavur is likely to be your tourist destination.