Tanjavur Temple

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February 16, 2022

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Table of Contents

Tanjavur Temple

About:Thanjavur derives its name from Tanjan-an asura (giant), who according to local legend devastated the neighbourhood and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Vishnu, Sri Neelamegapperumal. Tanjan’s last request that the city might be named after him was granted.Thanjavur was the royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas.The Brihadishwara Temple , also known as Rajarajeswaram, at Thanjavur, is the world’s first complete granite temple and a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas in temple architecture. Rajaraja Cholan, the Great Chola king built The Bragatheeswarar (Peruvudaiyar) Temple, also known as Big Temple. “In the twenty-fifth year of Rajaraja Cholan (A.D 1009-10) on the 257th day of the year the king handed over the copper pot for the finial at the top of the Vimana”. It weighed about 235 lbs., and was overlaid with gold plate of the weight of 292.5 Kalanju or nearly 35 lbs.The main shrine of the temple has three divisions named Keralantakan,Rasarasan and Thiru-Anukkan. These divisions are regarded asDwarapalikas or the guardians of the gate. They are in huge shape andsize and are skillfully carved. There are several sets of these in thetemple; seven of them are of a measurement of 18 feet by 8 feet. Allof them are enormous in size, but they are exquisite pieces of art.On your temple tour to Thanjavur, Sri Brihadisvara temple. This image was originally called Adavallan . Another name was Dakshina-Meru Vitanken. Both the names are found in the thiruvisaipa as the names of the deity at Chidambaram. This is a possible indication that shiva creed derived its support at the time mainly from Chidambaram. Rajaraja Cholan calls the image Rajarajeswaramudaiyar, – The Lord of Rajarajeswaram. There is a tower over the shrine, named Dakshina-Meru after the abode of Lord Shiva at Kailasam, the Uttara-Meru.

Location info:

Address: Thanjavur,Tamilnadu

District: Thanjavur

Nearest City: Thanjavur

Best time to visit: November – February

History:

Rajaraja Cholan the Great, occupies the foremost place in the history of the later Cholas. Vijayalaya Chola was the founder of the later Chola dynasty. He conquered the country from a vassal chief of the pallavas, and established Thanjavur as the capital of the dynasty. His son and successor Aditya I conquered the pallavas and the Kongu country; and his son Parantakan I (AD 907-953), under his leadership, the cholas acquired a dominion which foreshadowed the greater empire Rajarajan and Kulotungan.
Thanjavur rose to glory during the later Chola reign between the 10th and the 14th Centuries and became a centre of learning and culture. It is the headquarters of the disrict of the same name. Thanjavur district, the ‘ Rice Bowl ‘ of Tamil Nadu, is also known for its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and South Indian Musical Instruments.

Interesting places to Visit:

Bragatheeswarar Temple :
The main temple. Rajaraja Cholan, the Great Chola king built Bragatheeswarar Temple. This 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.The Thanjavur PalaceThe Palace of Thanjavur was partly built by the Nayaks and partly by the Marathas around 1550 A.D. The palace is an architectural beauty but the condition it was in, was pitiful. A part of it was destroyed by a lightning stroke and till few years earlier, it was still in ruins. But the reconstruction and preservation work has been taken up. The palace houses many museums that by themselves are a great tourist attraction. It has an art gallery apart from the Royal museum which showcases royal possessions like the costumes, weapons and musical instruments. Tourist get a feeling of living the past when they enter this exclusive museum. It also has a library that houses around 40,000 ancient manuscripts and different volumes of various languages. All the showpieces are well preserved and a treat to eyes.Mariamman TempleThis temple is situated at Punnainallur, a small village around 6 km east to Thanjavur. The temple is widely visited by localities as it is said that the worshiped Goddess treats all physical disabilities. The most auspicious day for visiting the temple is Sunday. The day sees a huge footfall of devotees specially women and children. This is one of the important temples of Thanjavur and now is visited by tourists as well who want to experience the sheer beauty of its architecture.Saraswati Mahal LibraryThe Saraswati Mahal Library came into being around the end of 16th century under the rule of Telugu Nayaka. Library is famous for its collection of manuscripts of several Indian and European languages on paper and on palm leaves. The 16th century library is abode to works of ancient and medieval periods. You will come across the biography of Muhammad Ghazni as well as books on the 64 bathing ghats of Varanasi.Royal MuseumThe Royal museum is located inside the Palace complex. This museum is a must visit for all artifact lovers. Among the show items, collection of rare bronze sculptures are the most famous. There are more than 400 pieces of such sculptures in the museum. Royal museum also has stone sculptures from Pallava, Chola and Pandaya periods and rare paintings done on wood using different colors and gold leafs. It is open on all days from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Thanjavur.

Nearest Airport:Tiruchirapalli 65 kms

Road Transport:Thanjavur is well connected to all the major towns in Tamilnadu through state highways. Tamilnadu Transport Corporation and similar Transport Corporations of the adjoining states provide bus service to cities in and around Tamilnadu.

Nearest Visiting places:Puliyur Vyagrapureeswarar Temple :Around 80 Kms from Thanjavur, situated Nagapattinam. 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.Tirubhuvanam:It is located 8 km (5 miles) Northeast of Kumbakonam, is dedicated to Kumbheswara, the “God who removes Fear”. This is also an old silk weaving centre. Kambaharesvarar Temple was built by the King Kulothunga III (1179 AD – 1216 AD). There are two Gopurams and two Praharams,the Karpagraham, Artha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Muha Mandapam and Somaskandar Mandapam.Swamimalai: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.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Petrol Pump Thanjavur,Tamilnadu,India

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:Hotel Parisutham
Thanjavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu- 04362 231801
Hotel Oriental Towers
Srinivasam Pillai Road, Thanjavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu- 04362 230724
Jennys Residency
3/14 Mc Donald’s Road, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620001- 0431 2414414Sangam Hotel
Near Temple, Trichy Road, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu- 04362 239451
Hotel Rayas
18,19 Head Post Office Road, , Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 612001- 0435 2423270Hotel Gnanam
Thanjavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu- 04362 278501

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:Police Station
Kamarajar Salai, Triplicane, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil NaduTriplicane Police Station
, Triplicane, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil NaduIce House Police Station
Besant Road, Triplicane, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Nearest Hospital:Institute Of Opthalmology -Joseph Eye Hospital
, Kilapudur, Tiruchirapalli, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu- 0431 2460622
Rangashri Child Care Clinic
New 76, Srirangam, Gandhi Road, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620006? – 0431 2435600
Sowmanasya Hospitals Pvt Ltd
6, K K Nagar, Chinthamani, V N Nagar, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620002- 0431 2704304