Thanjavur
lies on the south bank of Kaveri river in Tamil Nadu and is famous by
anglicised version of its name- Tanjore. A 10th century city of
Cholas(dynasty), Thanjavur holds a prominent seat of chief cultural,
religious and political caiptal of South India. The city rose fom a cluster
of village settlements to an embossed identity on the world map famous for
Brihadeshwara Temple, a World Heritage Site. Thanjavur or Tanjore is a city
much applauded for its contribution to carnatic music and Bharatnatyam
dance. A worldwide heritage tour destination, Thanjavur is spatted with temples
paddy feilds, mango groves, small panoramic setlements all over. Thanjavur
is ready to entertain tourists in its cultural surroundings and lets you
comprehend the meaning later. If you are a culture and heritage enthusiast, you
are surely going to remember your tour to Thanjavur for a long time to come.
Travel
Attractions in Thanjavur
Your travel to Thanjavur will be quiet enthralling as there are lot to see
and do. The Cauvery Delta is full of temples. There is really no village
here which does not have its shrine that doesn't have an interesting legend
to tell. Besides, within this relatively smal, well connected regions are
three superb UNESCO World Heritage Monument- at Thajavur, Darasuram and
Gangaikondacolapuram. Plus the oldest link to Sanskrit street theatre and
the biggest chariot in Asia.
Brihadeshwara Temple
The Brihadeshwara Temple is located towards north-west of the railway
station. The temple is big, large and called as 'Periya Koil' meaning a
large temple in Tamil. Every thingh about this temple is simply B-I-G. It
spans a area of 33,000 sq. ft. The sanctum has a single block of granite.
The 13 -tiered viamana(tower ovedr the sanctum) is over 197 ft high. The
lingam is 12 ft high and so is the monolithic Nandi Bull faces it. The Nandi
here is the second largest in India. Another specilaity of the temple is
that it took 6 years. The Temple was declared as UNESC0 world heritage site
in 1987. [Timings : 6am- 12 noon and 4-9 p.m open daily]
Shivaganaga Fort
The Brihadeshwara temple is girdled by 16th Century Shivaganga Fort (35
acres) includes the temple, Schwartz Church, the Royals Palace along with
two museums and Shivaganga Tank and Park to its north, close to the junction
of the west and south ramparts of the fort. [Entry to Rajaraja Museum Indian
Rs 10, Children Rs 5; foreigners Rs 50 and Children Rs 25, Timings 9 am-1 pm
and 3-6 pm]
Saraswati Mahal Library
The
Saraswati Mahal Library, close by, is known for its staggering collection of
44,000 palm leaves manuscripts. [Timings 10 am-1 pm and 1.30-5.30 pm, Camera
: Rs 30, Video Rs 200 Closed on Wednessday]
Palace Museums
The small palace within the complex exhibits the personal collection of the
royals family: arms, vessles, clothes and Sarabhoji II still livesin the
section of the Palace. Just towards the north east of the Shivaganga Tank is
a Schwartz Church now protected by ASI.
Popular
Shopping Centres In Thanjavur
Thanjavur has long been synonymous with Tanjore Paintings. Buy them in the
antique shops in South Keezha Veedhi, prices vary from Rs 1, 500 to 1
lakh.Thanjavur is much known for Veena. Apart from these the antique peices
one can get head nodding dolls made of clay and papier mache, these rounded
dolls come in pairs of male and female.
Eating Out/
Restaurants In Thanjavur
A typical three course meal is served on a banana leaf and includes a
poriyal (vegetables garnished with coconut oil) a kootu (vegetables in
coconut cumin gravy), some varuval (deep fried raw banana), a vadai, a sweet
pachadi(fresh fruit jam) and appalam(papad). Payasam(kheer) is the prefered
sweet dish. Pickles are another line of favourites and maangai thokku (spicy
grated mango) is unque to the region. Mutton Chicken and river fish are
prrfered meats . The idlis are always soft 'like jasmine', and cofffee
aromatic, Thanjavur's roasted cashew nuts are favourite snacks. Try the
regular plantain leaf veg meal at Venkata Lodge, Gandhiji Road towards the
east of the Big Temple.
Thanjavur Travel(Air/Rail/Road) Information
The best time for Thanjavur travel is as soon as the rains are over and the feilds
are emerald green. Reaching Thanjavur is all the more easy as it is located
343 kms of Southwest of Chennai. The nearest airport to reach Thanjavur is
Trichy that conects Tanjore with places like Chennai and Thiruvananathapuram
along with other internatiponal cities of India. The city has its own
railhead. Driving down to Tanjore is a toast to your eyes. East Coast from
Chennai to Pondicherry is a scenic drive. One can ply in night buses that
are available in plenty; Kumbakon makes a better bus hub. Satiating your
accomodation needs at Thanjavur smugly convinces you of its suave south
Indian hospitality quiet fast. There are number of offering that one can
succumb to depending upon their needs.
Tourist Preferred Hotels in Thanjavur
Travellers to Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu do not have a wide range of options
when it comes to 5 star deluxe hotels. However, there are a number of budget
hotels and economy hotels in Thanjavur where accommodation is quality type
and affordable. From most of the hotels in Thanjavur, the Trichy Airport is
at around 50 km. Some tourist preferred hotels in the city are as follows.
» Hotel Ganesh
» Hotel Aristo
» Hotel Ashok Bhawan
» Hotel Ajanta
» Hotel Lakshmi
» Hotel Vignesh
