Places to visit in Thanjavur

Brihadeshwar:

Brihadeshwar temple or the Big temple is the prime attraction of Thanjavur. Brihadeshwar temple was built in the early 11th century by Rajaraja Chola I. The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture in granite.  Brihadeshwar temple, known also as Rajarajesvaram, is one of the well preserved Heritage Sites in Tamil Nadu. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a 2.7 m high Shivalinga, which is about 7 m in diameter. The construction which encloses sanctum sanctorum is known by the name 'Periya Kovil' or the ‘Big temple’.  The 70 m high ‘Vimana’ of the temple is built in such an architectural precision, that its shadow never falls outside itself.  The Shikharam, which weighs about81.25 tons, is carved out of a single stone.

Thanjavur Royal Palace:

Thanjavur Royal Palace offers Nayak Hall, Durbar Hall, Serfoji’s Saraswati Mahal Library and the arsenal tower for the tourists.Nayak Hall, built by the Nayaks, house Thanjavur Art Gallery, where various Thanjavur artefacts belonging to the period of Cholas are displayed. Durbar Hall, built by the Marathas, displays a throne canopy decorated in Thanjavur styled mirror-glass works. Serfoji's Saraswati Mahal Library, situated adjacent to the Nayak Hall, houses a rare collection of Sanskrit books and palm-leaf manuscripts. 

Vijaynagara Fort:

The palace also offers clear view of the Vijaynagara Fort complex and the Gopuram and the Vimana of the Brihadeshwar temple from the top of the arsenal tower, the erstwhile Palace watch tower and the arsenal of the Thanjavur Kings till 1855. Located about 2 km towards the north east of Brahadeeswarar temple, the fort was built by the Nayak King Vijay Raghav but its construction was completed by the Maratha rulers. Within the fort, you find Thanjavur Palace, Sangeetha Mahal, Serfoji’s Saraswati Mahal library, Art Gallery and Siva Ganga Garden. 

Gangaikonda Cholapuram:

Considered as one of the most historically important places during the Chola dynasty, Gangaikonda Cholapuram was pronounced as the capital of the regions under the Chola rulers by RajendraChola I from 1025 CE for about 250 years. The city was actually founded by the emperor to memorialize his victory over a battle with the Pala dynasty. Back in those days, the entire administration affairs of South India, ranging from Tungabhadra in the north to Ceylon in the south, was once controlled by this city.