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TTDC
in Thanjavur |
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TamilNadu Tourism Development Corp., Jawans Bhavan Building,
Thanjore-613001.
Phone +91 (04362) 30984/416449 |
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The places of interest
in Thanjore Town |
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Bragatheeswarar Temple |
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The Big Temple. Rajaraja Cholan, the Great Chola king built
Bragatheeswarar Temple. Big Temple is an example for the Indian
sculptural architecture greatness. Temple is surrounded by
moat on two sides and Grand Anaicut river on the other side.
This temple is unique to have the tallest tower over the sanctum
sanctorum unlike the other temples. It is 216 feet tall. The
stupa at the top is made of bronze.The walls of the sanctum
are covered, with the wall paintings of Chola and Nayak periods,
comparable to the famous Ajanta cave frescoes. |
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Guarding the inner shrine of the temple, is the gigantic statue
of Nandi, the Bull. The Nandi is 12 feet tall, 191/2 feet
long and 81/4 feet wide. And it weighs around 25 tons. Nayaka
kings constructed a Mandapam for the Nandi to protect it from
sun and rain. |
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Saraswathi Mahal Library |
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This library has one of the most important oriental manuscripts
collections, in India. Established around 1700 AD, the library
contains a collection of over 44,000 palm leaf, and paper
manuscripts in Indian and European languages. Over eighty
per cent of its manuscripts are in Sanskrit, many on palm
leaves, some very rare or even unique. The Tamil works includes
treatises on medicine, and commentaries on works from the
Sangam period. |
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Palace |
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The Palace, on the east main street is a series of large and
rambling buildings of fine masonry, built partly by the Nayaks
around 1550 AD, and partly by the Marathas.On the southern
side of the third quadrangle is a Vimana like building, 190
feet high with eight storeys and it is the Goodagopuram. Madamaligai
is the tower which rises from the palace roof beyond the Goodagopuram.
It has six storeys. |
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Sivagangai Garden |
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A very beautiful park, located north of the big temple. It
has a good collection of beautiful flower plants and birds
and animals. |
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Punnai Nallur Mariamman Kovil |
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Its around 4 Kms from the town. |
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Tamil University |
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Established in 1981, the university is engaged in research
and advanced study in Tamil. Tamil University Museum has a
collection coins and musical instruments. |
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Rajarajan Manimandapam |
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Constructed on the eve of the World Tamil conference held
at Thanjavur. It is a beautiful park. |
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Schwartz Church |
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In the palace
garden, this church was built in 1779 A.D by Rajah Serfoji
in token of his affection for the Rev. C.V. Schwartz of the
Danish Mission. |
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Museums |
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Archeological Museum |
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Houses an interesting
collection of sculpture. |
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Tamil University Museum |
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Contains coins and musical instruments. |
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Saraswathi Mahal Library
Museum |
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One of the most
important oriental manuscript collections in India, closed
to the public, but by scholars from all over the world. Over
eighty percent of its 44,000 manuscripts are in Sanskrit,
many on palm-leafs, and some very rare or even unique. |
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Nayak Durbar Hall Art Museum
and Rajaraja Chola Museum |
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Contains magnificent
collection of Chola Bronzes-all discovered locally -fills
the Nayak Durbar Hall Art Museum and next door, the Rajaraja
Cholan Museum houses Chola stone sculpture etc. |
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Places of interest around the
town and in Greater Thanjavur district |
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Darasuram |
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Darasuram, 34
Kms away, has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which was built
by Rajendra Chola. It also boasts a silk weaving centre. |
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Kumbakonam |
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Famous for the
Mahamaham festival held every 12 years, Kumbakonam, 36 Kms
from Tanjore, also boasts of five temples. The important ones
among them are Sarangapani, Kumbeswarar, Nageswara and Ramaswamy
temples. These temples are noted for their semi erotic sculpture. |
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Mannargudi |
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Rajagopala Temple,
Lord Krishna is featured as Rajagopala in Rajagopala Temple,
Mannargudi. This temple was constructed in the 12th century
and received patronage from the Nayaka Kings. |
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Mayiladuthurai |
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Used to be called
Mayuram, situated on the banks of river Cauvery. Mayuranatha
Swami temple, Parimala Ranganatha Swamy temple, Kasi Vishwanatha
Swamy temple, Punukeeswarar temple, Vadhanyeswarar temple
and Ayyarappar temple are some of the famous temples in Mayiladuthurai. |
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Manora |
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65 Kms away, has a 8 storey victory
tower, built by Raja Serfoji. |
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Nagore |
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88 Kms away, is a famous Muslim
pilgrimage site. People of all faiths visit the Nagore durgah. |
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Point Calimere |
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112 Kms away,
is a famous bird sanctuary, known for its migratory water
birds, especially flamingoes. The best time to visit is the
period from November to January |
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Poompuhar |
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Was the capital
and port city of Cholas, also called as Kaveeripumpattinam,
as the river Cauvery drains into the Bay of Bengal here only.
Kovalan and Kannagi of the great epic Silappathikaram, written
by Ilangovadigal, lived in this town. "Silappathikara
Kalaikkodam" a panorama of sculptures depicting scenes
from Silappathikaram. |
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Poondi Matha Kovil |
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A very famous
Catholic church for Matha. People of all faiths visit the
church. |
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Puliyur Vyagrapureeswarar Temple |
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Around 80 Kms
from Thanjavur, situated 3/4 Km North of Ramarmadam Busstop
in Nagapattinam - Tiruvarur Main Road. The ancient history
says Kamadhenu, the devalogha cow prayed to Lord shiva in
this shrine to get rid of its sabam. One more speciality about
this temple, on evenings, Nataraja is worshipped first prior
to all other gods. This is also referred as Dhakshina Chidambaram.
chidambaram is where famous temple of lord Nataraja located.
This village is also called as Vyagrapuri named after the
lord. |
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Sikkal singaravelavar Temple |
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Around 80 Kms
from Thanjavur situated in Nagapattinam Tiruvarur Main Road.
The ancient history says here only Lord Murugan got the 'Sakthi
Vel' from Parvathi (refered as Velnedunkanni amman in this
temple ) and killed Suran. This temple is one of the few temples
in Tamilnadu which has both Siva and Vishnu in the same campus.
The 'Vel vankuthal' festival in the Tamil month of Iyappasi
is very famous here. |
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Sirkazhi |
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Goddess Parvathi gave Gnana milk to Thirugnana Sambandar here,
when he was a child. After this, he sang the famous Devaram.
Lord Shiva as Thoniappar resides in a thoni (boat). The boat
symbolizes that Thoniappar helps people cross their sea of
birth. Every year during Thiruvadirai Nakshatra of Chiithirai
month, the famous Thirumulaippal Utsav is held. |
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Swamimalai |
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Located 32 Kms
away, Swamimalai is one of the six abodes (Arupadaiveedu)
dedicated to Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan preached Pranava mantra
"OM" to Lord Shiva and that why he is called Swaminathan.
The 60 steps to the temple indicate the 60 years of the Tamil
calendar. This temple is praised by Arunagirinadar. Every
Thursday, Lord Swaminathan is decorated with Diamond
Vel. |
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Thirubuvanam |
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45 Kms away,
Thirubuvanam has a 13th century Chola temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva. Also well known for its silk weaving industry. |
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Thirukandiyur |
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The temples at Thirukandiyur are dedicated to Brahmasirekandeswarar
and Harshavimochana Perumal, and are famous for their fine
sculptural work |
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Thirunallar |
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101 Kms away,
is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Saneeswara. |
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Thiruvaiyaru |
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13 Kms from Thanjavur, where the famous saint Thyagaraja lived
and attained samadhi. The famous temple at Thiruvaiyaru is
dedicated to Shiva, and is known as Panchanatheswara. An eight
day music festival is held here, every January, in honour
of the saint. |
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Thiruvarur |
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55 Kms away
from Thanjavur. The Thyagarajaswami Temple is famous for the
largest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. This vast temple houses
Thyagaraja, Kamalamba and Vanmikanathar and has been sung
by the Saiva Saints. The pillars and the halls here are of
great beauty. Rajaraja Cholan was an ardent devotee of Thyagarajaswami.
This temple is also referred to as a Prithvi (Earth) Sthalam.
Thiruvarur is also the birth place of saint Thyagaraja. |
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Vaitheeswaran Kovil |
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Vaitheeswaran,
Thaiyal Nayaki, Muthukumaraswamy (Shiva, Parvathi, Subramanya
Swamy) An ancient temple dedicated to Shiva - as Vaitheeswaran
literally meaning the divine provider of cures. Adorned with
imposing towers, Mandapams and pillars, this well visited
shrine has been sung by the Saivite Saint Poets. It is of
said that Angarakan - Mars, Kartikeya, Jatayu and the Rig
Veda worshipped Shiva here. This shrine is also referred to
as an Angarakasthalam. |
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Vedaranyam |
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104 Kms away,
is renowned for the festivals held on full moon day, in July-August
and January-February. |
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Vellankanni
Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni |
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90 Kms away,
noted for the church dedicated to 'Our Lady of Health', attracts
devotees of all faiths. |