However, the art work and scribbles by the modern visitors have taken the sheen off it to an extent.Īdjoining the durbar hall is a gallery which displays numerous stone sculptures of various gods and mythological characters, some of which dates back to the Chola times. Both the colours and the carvings are quite intricate and have terrific detailing. Along with beautiful arches, the colourful pillars and ceilings accentuate the charm of this hall.
Built by the Nayaks and later renovated by the Marathas, the vibrant Durbar hall with its magnificent carvings is the major highlight here. The Thanjavur Palace complex is a stroll back to the times when the place was ruled by various dynasties. Less than a kilometer from the canon is Ranees tower, a historical clock tower built in 1883 during the rule of Serfoji II which later became a war memorial during the First World War. Rajagopala beerangi, a canon located near the eastern gate of the fort is believed to be one of the largest in India. The church has quite a simple setting with writings and carvings on marble slabs. He was quite close to the then Maratha ruler, King Serfoji II and the church even has marble sculptures of the King and the missionary on the walls inside. Swartz church next to the shivganga park was built in 1779 CE by a Danish missionary, Christian Swartz. The shivganga fort which encircles the Brihadeeshwarar temple also houses a park for children, a small zoo and shivganga tank which provides boating facility. A moat can still be seen near the entrance of the temple. While visitors throng the temple through the day, the ideal time to visit is early in the morning or in the evening when the temple gets bathed in myriad shades that the sun splashes over the gorgeous sculptures.īuilt in the 16 th century by Vijayanagara empire and later by the Marathas, the Shivganga fort spreads over 35 acres and has most of its outer wall in shambles. The premise also houses numerous other shrines dedicated to Subramanya, Amman, Ganesha, Chandikesvara, Varaha, Karuvur Devar etc. The courtyard is surrounded by a pathway lined with numerous carved pillars. The extensive sculptures on the outer facade of the shrine is a sight to behold. Atop the tower is a beautifully carved granite block which was rolled up a ramp by many elephants during those days. What takes all the attention here is the massive tower over the main shrine with intricate carvings and an imposing frame. The large courtyard houses the main shrine with a shivlinga and a colossal nandi sculpture facing it. Located within Shivganga fort, the temple sprawls over 33,000 sq ft and has two grand entrance towers with beautiful carvings. Built in 11 th century by the Chola king Rajaraja Chola I, the temple which is a part of the great living chola temples and is a UNESCO world heritage site is a majestic creation detailing the Chola temple architecture. All these art and architecture have also been testimony to Thanjavur’s glorious past which one can notice while strolling through its sculptures, art galleries and temples.īrihadeeshwarar temple is synonymous with Thanjavur and is undoubtedly the biggest attraction in the town. However, despite that, Thanjavur has refused to part with its love for art which is evident in the form of dance festivals, paintings and Chola architecture that can be seen even today. Once referred as the granary or rice bowl of the state due to its rich agricultural prosperity, Thanjavur has slowly over the years turned into another Indian town with all the hustle and bustle. Brimming with Tamil culture, Thanjavur is known for its dance, art, music, paintings, temples and literature.
Nestled in the Cauvery belt, Thanjavur was always a favourite land of the rulers such as Cholas, Nayaks and Marathas since the 9th century.