Thanjavur, also known by its anglicised name Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. The city lies on the south bank of the Kaveri River, 200 miles south of Chennai. Thanjavur is also the capital of the Thanjavur District. Tanjore is also the name of Air India One [1], the special aircraft of the President of India and the Prime Minister of India.

Thanjavur derives its name from Tanjan-an asura (demon) who according to local legend caused devastation and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Sri Neelamegapperumal. Tanjan’s last request that the city might be named after him was granted.

Thanjavur is one of the chief political, literary and religious centres of southern India, known for its contribution to Carnatic music, it has produced many classical musicians and Bharathanatyam dancers. Tiruvaiyaru, which is close to Thanjavur, is the place where the great musician Saint Thyagaraja lived. It is also well known for its unique painting style called Tanjore Painting, a percussion instrument called the Thavil, a divine classical string instrument Veenai and the Thanjavur Dolls.

Facts

State: Tamil Nadu
District(s): Thanjavur district
Coordinates: 10.47° N 79.07° E
Area: 36 km²
Elevation: 54.25 m
Time zone: IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2005): 275,000
Density : app. 7700/km²
Municipal Chairman: C. Sultan Mohideen
Codes: Postal: 613 001 till 009
Telephone: +914362
Vehicle: TN 49

Sights

Brihadeeshwara Temple

The Brihadisvara temple (also spelled Brahadeeswara temple) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This 10th century CE temple, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, is a brilliant example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. The central temple known as the Periya Koil (Big Temple) stands within a fort, whose walls are later additions built during the 16th century. The name periya kovil came from its original name “periya aavudayar kovil” (aavudayar the name of Lord siva). The vimana (main tower) of the temple is about 70 m high and is the tallest in the world.

Thanjavur Palace & Museum
The palace near the temple is a vast building of masonry built by the Nayakas around 1550 and partly by the Maratha. Two of the palace towers, the Armoury and the observation tower are visible from all parts of the city. The palace houses an art gallery, a library and a hall of music. The art gallery occupies the Nayak Durbar Hall. It has a superb collection of Chola bronze statues from the 9th to 12th centuries.

Hotels and Accommodation

Hotel Parisutham
Post Box 86, G.A. Canal Road, Thanjavur - 613 001. Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Tel.: +91 4362 231801/ 231844 (10 Lines)
Fax: +91 4362 230318, E.mail : htparisutham@sify.com
Web : www.hotelparisutham.com

Hotel Oriental Towers
2889, Srinivasam Pillai Road, Thanjavur - 613 001, Tamilnadu, INDIA
For Reservation Please Contact
Tel: +91 0484 402 8153 Fax 0484 236 4485
E-mail: Orientaltowers@hotelstamilnadu.com

Hotel Ganesh Thanjavur
2905 / 3 & 4, Srinivasanpillai Road, Railway Station (Tamil Nadu) - Thanjavur 613 001 - India

List of Thanjavur hotels: www.hotelstamilnadu.com

External links