Thanjavur City Guide
Thanjavur was the ancient capital of the Chola kings whose origins, go back to the beginning of the Christian era. Power struggles between these groups were a constant feature of their early history, with one or other gaining the ascendancy at various times.
Thanjavur is known as the royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas. It has a rich and varied heritage and is renowned for the same across the globe. The center of knowledge and culture reached its peak between the 10th and 14th centuries under the reign of the Cholas. Though the magic Thanjavur continues un-faded over the period of time. Tour to Thanjavur even today in the era of technology Thanjavur remains a center for classical arts and music. The performances by the classical musicians, percussionists and the Bharatnatyam dancers will definitely mesmerize you.
Appealing Art
Thanjavur is famous for its distinctive art style , which is usually a combination of raised and painted surfaces. Krishna is the most popular of the gods depicted and in the Thanjavur school his skin is white rather than the traditional blue-black
Orientation
The enormous gopurams of the Brihadeshwara Temple dominate Thanjavur. The temple itself, between the Grand Anicut Canal and the old town is surrounded by fortified walls and a moat. The old town, too used to be similarly enclosed, but most of the walls have now disappeared. What remains are winding streets and alleys and the extensive ruins of the palace of the Nayakas of Madurai.
Other Interests
Handicrafts Item Poompuhar (A unit of TamilNadu Handicrafts), Gandhiji Road, Thanjavur.
Tanjore Paintings Thanjavur is famous for a special style of decorating the paintings which were done both on glass and board. In both types, the figures and the background are richly embellished with gold leaf and gems as ornaments. The relief work on board is achieved by applying gesso, a mixture of gypsum or plaster of Paris and glue. Krishna in various poses has been the main theme, but there are also various paintings in temples, of all the other Gods and Saints.
Many of the smaller towns in the Thanjavur area are well known for their impressive Chola temples. The distances of each from Thanjavur are in brackets
Thirukandiyur (10 km) : The temple here, Brahma Sirakandeshwara and Harsaba Vimochana Perumal, are noted for their fine sculptural work.
Thiruvaiyaru (13 km) : The famous temple here is dedicated to Siva and is known as Panchanatheshwara. Accommodation is completely booked out every January, when an eight day music festival is held in honour of the saint, Thiagaraja.
Tiruvarur (55 km) : The Thyagarajaswami Temple ar Turuvarur, between Thanjavur and Nagapattinam, boasts an 807-pillared hall and the largest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. It's dragged through the streets during the 10 days car festival in March. There are numerous cheap places to stay around the bus stand.
Velenkanni (94 km) : This is the famous Christian pilgrim centre, the site of the famous Catholic Roman Church of our Lady of Good Health, people from all religions flock to the Church, many donating gold and silver models of cured body parts. A major festival is held at the beginning of September.
Kumbakonam (36 km) : From Thanjavur you may even visit the kaleidoscopic Kumbakonam comprising the semi erotic sculptures at the Sarangapani, Kumbeswarar, Nageswara and Ramaswamy temples that attract many tourists. Kumbakonam is the venue of the magnificent Mahamaham festival that is celebrated once in every 12 years. The last festival was celebrated in the year 1992. Konda cholapuramm temple lies right next to Kumbakonam. The son of Chola king Raja Raja, Rajendra Chola, had built the temple on the lines of the Big Temple of Thanjavur. Till date even the ruins of the temple are visited for the splendid specimens of the Chola sculpture. Similarly the sculptures at the Nageswaraswami temple of Kumbakonam and the temple of Airavateswara of Darasuram will not fail to sweep you off your feet. The artistic appeal of the carvings is simply put amazing.
Things to see
Brihadeeswara Temple
Saraswathi Mahal Library
