The Cultural Capital of South India
Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the centre of the city. Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region.
Thanjavur is an important pilgrim centre and a major tourist destination of Tamil Nadu. The most visited monument in Thanjavur is the Brihadeeswarar Temple, whose construction, the historian Percy Brown described as "a landmark in the evolution of building art in South India". Built in the 11th century by the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I (985–1014), the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The walls of the sanctum are covered with wall paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods. The temple was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is replicated in the Gangaikonda Cholesvarar Temple constructed by Raja Raja's son Rajendra Chola I (1012–44).
Other major tourist spots in Tanjore include:
- Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple
- Tanjore Maratha Palace - was the official residence of the Bhonsle family who ruled over the Thanjavur region
- The Saraswathi Mahal Library, established around 1700 - among the oldest libraries in India
- Sivagangai Park
- Tamil University Library
- Archeological Museum in the Palace
- Nayak Durbar Hall Museum
- Rajaraja Chola Museum in Mani Mandapam
- Navagraha temples (Temples for 9 planets) - located around a radius of 30-40 km from Tanjore
- South Zone Cultural Centre
It is also worthwhile to mention that Carnatic music was codified in Thanjavur and the art flourished during the Nayak rule in the 16th century. The famous Bharathanatyam, a classical dance form of South India, had its major styles developed in Thanjavur.
Some important cultural Events
- Thyagarajar Aradhana, a Carnatic music festival held annually during the Tamil Month of Maargazhi at Thiruvaiyaru, located 13 km away from the city. It is a music feast for Carnatic music lovers. Prominent singers from all over the country attend the mass gathering and sing the ever-green devotional songs written by the great Music Scholar Thyagarajar
- During Maargazhi, bhajans are performed, stories are told and knowledge is disseminated across many old temples (mainly associated with Vaishnavism) in Thanjavur. Divine music from Mridangam and Nagaswaram is echoed all over the old streets of Thanjavur which one must experience atleast once in their lifetime
- Sathaya Thiruvizha is the annual birthday festival of Raja Raja Chola held during October every year which is of high cultural importance. Cultural events are organized around Thanjavur during this time. Sathaya Thiruvizha is probably the only grand event celebrating a great and victorious King in India
- Maha Shivratri at Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple is a grand event at any scale. People from all over Thanjavur pour into the big temple at the night to have dharisanam of Lord Shiva. Throughout the night till the dawn, Bhratnatyam performance is done by troops from all over the World. Notable ones are generally from Chennai, Bangalore, Thanjavur, Sigapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka
- Salangai Naadham: This is a cultural fest that happens in the South Zone Cultural Centre wherein Artists from all over India perform continuously for around 10 days in the evening. Handicrafts from various states are also displayed in the campus which is a feast for Handicrafts and Arts lover. You can also drop in at our Chola Impressions Gallery as it is situated right opposite to South Zone Cultural Centre
Disclaimer: We advice you to do groundwork while planning as some of these places may not be open all the time