Shivaganga Fort: The Quadrangular Shivaganga Fort is situated towards the south west of the old city. Built by the Nayaka ruler, Sevappa Nayaka, in the mid-16th century, the battlemented stone structure covers an area of 35 acres surrounded by a part rock-cut moat. The fort contains the great Brahadeeshwara Temple, Schwartz Church, and Shivaganga Garden. The Shivaganga Tank in the fort was excavated by Rajaraja I and later renovated to provide drinking water for the City.
Brahadeeswarar Temple (or) Big Temple:
Thanjavur is famous for the Brahadeeswara temple built by the great chola king, Rajaraja Cholan, during the 11th century. The Brahadeeswara Temple, also known as the Big Temple, is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, completed in 1010 AD and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple entrance has an imposing gateway on the east, on either sides of which stand two small shrines dedicated to Ganapathi and Murugan and further through there is another Gopuram 90 feet high. This way leads into an outer court.
Brahadeeswarar Temple (or) Big Temple:
Thanjavur is famous for the Brahadeeswara temple built by the great chola king, Rajaraja Cholan, during the 11th century. The Brahadeeswara Temple, also known as the Big Temple, is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, completed in 1010 AD and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple entrance has an imposing gateway on the east, on either sides of which stand two small shrines dedicated to Ganapathi and Murugan and further through there is another Gopuram 90 feet high. This way leads into an outer court.
A second and magnificent Gopuram further leads into the main court in which the temple is built. The inner court is about 500 feet long and 250 feet broad, is well paved with brick and stone. The court is surrounded on all sides by a cloister. The temple basement is covered with inscriptions that give details of the temple’s administration and revenue, and provide valuable historical information on Chola society and government. The 64. 8 Mt. tall vimanam (tower over the sanctum sanctorum) is testimony to the engineering skill of the Cholas. The Great Nandhi is 12 feet high, 19.5 feet long and 18.25 feet wide. The Nandhi is a monolith weighing about 25 tons and it is the second largest Nandhi in India.
Schwartz Church: The 18th century Schwartz Church is a legacy of Thanjavur’s colonial past, standing to the east of the Shivaganga Tank. This church was constructed by the Danish missionary, Reverend Frederik Christian Schwartz in 1779 AD. When he died, the enlightened Maratha ruler Serfoji II donated a striking marble tablet to the church. This tablet made by John Flaxman has been placed at the western end of the church. It depicts the dying missionary blessing his royal patron, surrounded by ministers and pupils from the school that he established.
Sivaganga Garden: A very beautiful park, located north of the big temple. It has a good collection of beautiful flower plants, birds and animals. There are children playing area at the heart of the park. The park has a cute little train and also a pond. Boating is also available in the pond.
Rajagopala Beerangi (Cannon): This is a huge cannon placed at the eastern gate of the Fort. The place is called ‘Beerangi Medu’. The Cannon is amazing in size and the quality speaks of the metallurgical knowledge of the people of those times. The Beerangi is the biggest in India.
Timing: 10.00am to 6.00pm
Royal Palace: Just 1 km away from the Brahadeeswarar Temple is a magnificent palace, surrounded by huge fort walls. This palace was originally built by Nayaka rulers as their royal residence and was further reconstructed by Maratha rulers. A large quadrangular courtyard leads into the palace complex. Outside the palace there is a seven-storeyed observation tower meant for the royal families. The splendid Maratha Durbar Hall, built by Shahji II in 1684 has elaborately decorated pillars, walls and ceilings. The Durbar Hall now houses the Rajaraja Museum and Art Gallery with an impressive collection of bronze and stone idols dating from 7th to 20th centuries.
The Royal Museum too is located in the Thanjavur Palace complex only. This museum houses mixed collections of manuscripts, weapons, utensils, stone sculpture, musical instruments and clothing that were used by the Royal Family of Thanjavur (Serfoji II).
Royal Museum:
Art Gallery: The Art Gallery is situated inside the Thanjavur Palace. The place is a must visit in Thanjavur as it houses some of the most magnificent and precious Granite and Bronze statues of the Chola period, and other artifacts belonging to the Chola and the Nayaka periods. This art gallery gives information about the entire history of Tamil Nadu from the 9th century to 18th century AD. The stones as well as the bronze sculptures are housed inside the Nayak palace building in three sections, namely the Pooja Mahal for stone sculptures, Indira Mandir for arsenals and the Rama Chowdam Hall displaying bronze sculptures.
The Saraswathi Mahal Library: Next to the museum is the Saraswathi Mahal Library, constructed by the Maratha rulers. This is one of the most important reference libraries in India. It has remarkable collection of about 30,433 sanskrit and other vernacular palm leaf manuscripts and 6,426 printed volumes, besides a large number of journals. This library is the effort of the three hundred years of collections by the Nayak and Maratha kings.
Tamil University: Established in 1981, the university is engaged in research and advanced study in Tamil. Tamil University Museum has a collection of coins and musical instruments.
Rajarajan Manimandapam: Constructed on the eve of the World Tamil conference held at Thanjavur and is a beautiful park. This Manimandapam has a museum in its ground floor.
Tholkappiyar Sadukkam: Tholkappiyar Sadukkam was constructed during the 8th World Tamil Conference. This is actually a Square that encloses a tower. The tower offers a panaromic view of the bustling Thanjavur Town.
A very minute work in a stone
Sivaganga Garden: A very beautiful park, located north of the big temple. It has a good collection of beautiful flower plants, birds and animals. There are children playing area at the heart of the park. The park has a cute little train and also a pond. Boating is also available in the pond.
Rajagopala Beerangi (Cannon): This is a huge cannon placed at the eastern gate of the Fort. The place is called ‘Beerangi Medu’. The Cannon is amazing in size and the quality speaks of the metallurgical knowledge of the people of those times. The Beerangi is the biggest in India.
Timing: 10.00am to 6.00pm
Royal Palace: Just 1 km away from the Brahadeeswarar Temple is a magnificent palace, surrounded by huge fort walls. This palace was originally built by Nayaka rulers as their royal residence and was further reconstructed by Maratha rulers. A large quadrangular courtyard leads into the palace complex. Outside the palace there is a seven-storeyed observation tower meant for the royal families. The splendid Maratha Durbar Hall, built by Shahji II in 1684 has elaborately decorated pillars, walls and ceilings. The Durbar Hall now houses the Rajaraja Museum and Art Gallery with an impressive collection of bronze and stone idols dating from 7th to 20th centuries.
Palace watch tower
Royal Museum:
The Saraswathi Mahal Library: Next to the museum is the Saraswathi Mahal Library, constructed by the Maratha rulers. This is one of the most important reference libraries in India. It has remarkable collection of about 30,433 sanskrit and other vernacular palm leaf manuscripts and 6,426 printed volumes, besides a large number of journals. This library is the effort of the three hundred years of collections by the Nayak and Maratha kings.
Rajarajan Manimandapam: Constructed on the eve of the World Tamil conference held at Thanjavur and is a beautiful park. This Manimandapam has a museum in its ground floor.
Tholkappiyar Sadukkam: Tholkappiyar Sadukkam was constructed during the 8th World Tamil Conference. This is actually a Square that encloses a tower. The tower offers a panaromic view of the bustling Thanjavur Town.
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