Thanjavur formerly Tanjore, is an important center of South Indian religion,v art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. Thanjavur is a city in TamilNadu, India. Its famous for many temples including the 11th-century Brihadeeswarar Temple, a vast Chola dynasty–era complex with a frescoed interior Thanjavur was the capital of the great Chola (Cola) king Rajaraja I, and it was he who commissioned the site’s magnificent temple, the Brihadishvara, in the early 11th century.
Thanjavur is the headquarters of the Thanjavur District. The city is an important agricultural centre located in the Cauvery Delta and is known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. After the fall of Cholas, the city was ruled by various dynasties like Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks, Thanjavur Marathas and British Empire. It has been a part of independent India since 1947. The period from November to February in Thanjavur is pleasant, with a climate full of warm days and cool nights and is the best time to visit.
Thanjavur is an important pilgrim centre and a major tourist destination of Tamil Nadu with several important places worth visiting. The Thanjavur Maratha palace was the official residence of the Bhonsle family who ruled over the Thanjavur region from 1674 to 1855.. The Sivaganga Park is situated to the east of the Brihadeeswarar Temple and encompasses the Sivaganga Tank believed to have been built by the king Raja Raja Chola. It was created as a people’s park by the Tanjore municipality in 1871–72. Also worth visiting are Schwartz Church, a historic monument located in the palace garden, was built in 1779 by Serfoji II as a token of affection for Rev. C.V. Schwartz of the Danish Mission.
There are five museums in the city, namely: Archeological Museum, Tamil University Museum located with the Tamil University premises, the Saraswathi Mahal Library Museum, Oldest Library in Asia is located inside the Saraswathi Mahal, Nayak Durbar Hall Art Museum and Rajaraja Chola Museum..[Raja Rajan Manimandapam is one of the tourist attractions in Thanjavur, built during the Thanjavur Tamil Conference in 1991. Thanjavur Maratha Palace is home to the centuries-old Saraswathi Mahal Library, with palm-leaf manuscripts.
contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper History buffs can visit Thanjavur Art Gallery, adorned with bronze statues and Tamil University Museum that displays coins, folk artifacts and musical instruments. Sangeetha Mahal has a permanent handicrafts exhibition centre. Thanjavur is the cradle for many of the arts and crafts in South India. Thanjavur is an important music centre for Carnatic music, it was codified in Thanjavur and the art flourished during the Nayak rule in the 16th century..
Bharathanatyam, a classical dance form of South India, had its major styles developed in Thanjavur The city is also known for a distinctive painting style in which such materials as gold foil, lace, and semiprecious stones are used to embellish the painting—and for a style of embossed metal plates. Sathaya Thiruvizha is the annual birthday festival of Raja Raja Chola held during October every year.[47] Thanjavur is the base for the Tyagaraja Aradhana, a Carnatic music festival held annually during January – February at Thiruvaiyaru, located 13 km (8.1 mi) away from the city. Thanjavur is an important centre of silk weaving in Tamil Nadu.
Thanjavur is also famous for the’Thalaiyatti bommai’ or ‘Dancing dolls’ which is a doll made from clay, wood or plastic. The city produces bell metal craft like Thanjavur metal plates, bronze images bowls, napkins and powder boxes made of copper and bronze. The city is a major manufacturer of pith works consisting of models of Hindu idols, mosques, garlands and other bird figurines. Manufacturing of musical instruments like veena, tambura, violin, mrithamgam, thavil and kanjira is another economic activity in the city.
well connected by rail, road and air city is a major education centre that attracts students from across India. other places worth visiting are Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Punnainallur Mariamman Koil, Thirunallar Temple,, Swami Malai Temple, Chandra Sthalam Thingalur (Kailasanthar) Temple, Thenkudi Thittai Sree Vashisteswarar Temple- Guru Stalam, Kal Garuda Perumal Koil, Ragavendra Temple, Siva Ganga Garden, Punnainallur Mariamman Temple, Punnainallur Mariamman Temple..
there are numerous hotels, lodges and guesthouse that provide luxurious, mid range and budget accommodation. Tourist interested in shopping can buy the famous ‘Thanjavur dancing doll’, metal works and ornament, silksaree, handicraft, artifacts, painting, There are numerous restaurants that provide traditional veg /non veg Tamil cuisine. A visit to Thanjavur is a great opportunity to get acquainted with India’s rich cultural heritage.
