Thanjavur Tourist Places: The Best Places in The City of Temples

Thanjavur is also known as Tanjore or the city of temples, the city has a great cultural value and is famous for Tanjore paintings, antiques and handicrafts, textiles and saris, its Carnatic music and musical instruments and of course the temples.

Thanjavur has a rich historical heritage and has a very important position in the making of ancient as well modern south Indian civilization. There are numerous religious destinations in and around the district. Siva Ganga Garden, Art Gallery, Palace & Saraswathi Mahal Library, Sangeetha Mahal are the main tourist attractions. Thanjavur is a place where one can constantly feel the magnificent and dynamic cultures of the past and present, giving the area a unique and glorious identity.

Brihadeeswara Temple

The most important attraction of Thanjavur is the Brihadeeswara Temple, which is also known as the Big Temple. Constructed during the reign of the Great Chola emperor, Raja Raj Chola, this temple is an architectural marvel. The temple has deep trenches on the either sides in which the Grand Anaicut River is running through, this temple is very famous among the devotees. The shrine of the temple is 216 feet structure. The sanctum is filled with paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods. 

Vijayanagar Fort

The Vijayanagar Fort is a well known tourist spot which is just 2 km from the Brihadeeswara temple. This majestic fort was constructed by Nayaks and partly by Maratha rulers during the early 1550 AD. The fort has a beautiful Tanjore Palace, Sangeetha Mahal, Library and a magnificent art gallery that includes many sculptures and paintings. At present the fort is mostly in ruins, but it still echoes the strength and glory it once possessed.

Saraswathi Mahal Library

Today in an era when physical libraries are vanishing, and people are attracted to the digital books more and more, this establishment still stands. Its origin dating back to the 16th-17th century increases the significance of the library. The Britannica Encyclopaedia enlists the Serfoji Sarasvati Mahal Library as 'the most remarkable library of India'. Not only books, the library also has a large collection of art, paintings, maps, and manuscripts as well.

Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple

Bangaru Kamakshi Temple is situated in a crowded locality of Thanjavur. The popularity of the temple lies in the history and legend of the temple. The word Bangaru means 'gold'. This is to the golden body of the deity. When the idol was moved to Thanjavore from Kanchipuram and to protect it from the invaders and thieves, the face of the goddess was covered with a black substance called 'punugu'. 

Thanjai Mamani Koil

Thanjai Mamani Koil are three Vishnu temples, together called a Divyadesam. The temple has a myth associated with the origin that has its roots in one of the many canonical myths about Lord Vishnu. The temple provides the opportunity to witness three seats of the Lord at the same place, along with other associated gods. As being one of the 108 Divyadesams, this temple has a different attractiveness altogether.

Royal Palace Museum

The Royal Palace Museum, in Thanjavur, is a blend of history and artistry. The museum is part of the Thanjavur Palace complex, which also houses the famous Saraswathi Mahal Library and an art gallery. The Royal Museum showcases a diverse collection of artifacts, paintings, books, and memorabilia which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Shiva Ganga Garden

The Shiva Ganga Garden is located in the Vijayanagar Fort and is open for the tourists. The garden is well maintained and highly visited sight by tourists. The main attraction of the garden is a square tank is which is located in the Siva Ganga Garden built in 16th century to providing water to the Tanjore Palace and is still in use.

Read More: Top Tamilnadu Tourist Places

Best Time to Visit Thanjavur

The best time to visit Thanjavur is during winter is October to March, although it's an all year long destination. This is the best weather to visit Thanjavur which provides a comfortable environment for exploring the city's diverse attractions. The summers are usually experienced with scorching sun and periods of high humidity, while monsoon is accompanied by light showers. 

Conclusion 

Thanjavur has a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, which makes the city a must visit destination. From visiting the historic Vijaynagar Fort to tasting the culinary delights of the city, there is something for every traveler in this city. So, pack your bags, plan your tour, and move onto an unforgettable journey to Thanjavur.