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About Thanjavur
 Popularly referred as the ‘Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu’, Thanjavur District is renowned worldwide for its rich and varied culture and heritage. Located 342 kms from the state capital – Chennai, Thanjavur rose to glory between the 10th and 14th centuries and flourished as a center of learning and culture under the reign of the Chola kings. Later on, the town came to be ruled by the powerful dynasties of the Nayaks and the Marathas also.
A Tour to Thanjavur will introduce you to the cultural, architectural and scholarly pursuits of these glorious rulers, as reflected in the numerous historic temples and monuments of Thanjavur like Sri Brihadeeswara Temple, Grand Anaicut, Rajagopala Temple and Saraswathi Mahal Library, to name a few.
Most of the ancient temples in Thanjavur are located on the banks of the river Cauvery and its tributaries. On your tours to Thanjavur, you will be delighted to see that the district is also home to several shrines belonging to different religions.
Thanjavur’s fame as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu is also partly because of its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and South Indian Musical Instruments. Include a tour to Thanjavur in your Tamil Nadu Tour itinerary, and the enriching experience will surely remain etched in your memory forever.
Accesibility
- Air: The nearest airport is at Tiruchirapalli, at about 58 kms
- Rail: Thanjavur is directly connected by trains with major cities like Trichy, Madurai, Nagore and Chennai.
- Road: Thanjavur is well-connected with roadways to all major cities.
Tourist Attractions in And Around Thanjavur
- Sri Brihadeeswara Temple –
Sri Brihadeeswara Temple was built in the 10th century by famous Chola King, Raja Raja I. An exemplary specimen of Chola architecture, the grandeur of this temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva – is simply excellent.
- The Palace –
Built around 1550 AD partly by the Nayaks and partly by the Marathas, the majestic Palace is a fine work of masonry and a must–include in your Thanjavur tour.
- Art Gallery –
The Art Gallery in the Palace exhibits several granite and bronze statues of the Chola period.
- Saraswathi Mahal Library –
Located within the Palace, the library has preserved over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Indian and European scripts.
- Schwartz Church-
This church was built in the Palace garden by Rajah Serfoji in 1779, to show his affection for Rev.C.V.Schwartz of the Danish mission.
- Sivaganga Tank-
Famous for its sweet water, this tank is also a popular tourist spot located near the palace.
- Rajagopala Temple –
Dedicated to Rajagopala, this famous temple boasts of a huge complex, with a 100 year old history. Popularly referred as ‘Dakshina Dwaraka’ Rajagopala temple is located in the town of Mannargudi, and is well-connected by rail and road to Thanjavur.
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