Here is a detailed Tourist Map Guide of Thanjavur (Tanjore). This guide organizes all the key historical, cultural, and architectural landmarks into logical touring clusters, ensuring you have all the information needed without needing a separate map.
1. The Brihadeeswarar Temple Complex (The Big Temple)
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Peruvudaiyar Kovil) (A):
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site; the center of Chola power.
- Architecture: Built by Raja Raja Chola I (11th Century).
- Features: Famous for its 66-meter Vimana (tower), the enormous Nandi statue, and the massive granite Kalasam (finial).
- Location: Center Point.
- Sivaganga Garden & Tank (B):
- Function: Well-maintained recreational park adjacent to the Big Temple.
- History: The Sivaganga Tank is ancient, believed to have supplied water to the Palace.
- Distance: ~0.5 km (Adjacent to the East of the Temple).
- Vijayanagar Fort (C):
- Detail: Remnants of the old fort that once enclosed the Palace and the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
- Purpose: Provides a historical perspective on the city’s fortifications.
- Distance: ~1 km.
- Rajarajan Manimandapam (D):
- What It Is: A memorial hall and museum.
- Purpose: Commemorates the 1000th coronation anniversary of King Raja Raja Chola I.
- Content: Often houses historical artifacts and archaeological findings.
- Distance: ~1 km (South of Temple).
2. The Thanjavur Palace Complex
- Thanjavur Maratha Palace (Aranmanai) (E):
- What It Is: The official residence of the Maratha Bhonsle family.
- Architecture: Sprawling complex showcasing Indo-Saracenic style.
- Location: Cluster center, about 1 km North of the Big Temple.
- Saraswathi Mahal Library (F):
- Location: Inside the Palace Complex (E).
- Significance: One of Asia’s oldest libraries.
- Content: Houses over 60,000 rare volumes, including ancient palm-leaf and paper manuscripts.
- Raja Raja Chola Art Gallery (G):
- Location: Inside the Nayak Durbar Hall of the Palace Complex (E).
- Collection: Holds a remarkable collection of Chola-period bronze sculptures and stone idols (9th-13th centuries).
- Goodagopuram (Arsenal Tower/Bell Tower) (H):
- What It Is: An eight-story structure within the Palace.
- Purpose: Used as a watchtower and for storing arms.
- Feature: Offers a panoramic view of the town (if access is allowed).
- Sangeetha Mahal (Hall of Music) (I):
- Location: Within the Palace Complex (E).
- Feature: Famous for its excellent acoustics.
- Builder: Built by the Nayak rulers.
- Schwartz Church (St. Mary’s Church) (J):
- History: Built in 1779 by Rev. C.F. Schwartz, funded by Maratha King Serfoji II.
- Style: Simple, elegant colonial architecture.
- Distance: ~0.5 km (Near Palace Complex).
3. Attractions Outside the City Center (Day Trips)
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram (K):
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site; the capital city of Rajendra Chola I.
- Temple: Features another magnificent Brihadisvara Temple.
- Distance: ~70 km Northeast.
- Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram (L):
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site; the third of the “Great Living Chola Temples.”
- Architecture: Built by Raja Raja Chola II (12th Century).
- Feature: Known for its exquisite, miniature, and highly detailed carvings.
- Distance: ~40 km East (Near Kumbakonam).
- Swamimalai Temple (M):
- Significance: One of the six sacred abodes (Arupadaiveedu) of Lord Murugan.
- Artisan Fame: Famous for its hereditary bronze casting artisans.
- Distance: ~32 km Northeast.
- Punnainallur Mariamman Temple (N):
- Dedication: Popular local temple dedicated to Goddess Mariamman.
- History: Built by the Maratha King Venkoji in 1680 AD.
- Distance: ~6 km East.
- Manora Fort (O):
- What It Is: An eight-story, hexagonal seaside tower.
- History: Built by King Serfoji II to commemorate the British victory over Napoleon Bonaparte (1814).
- Distance: ~65 km Southeast (Near the Bay of Bengal).
Thanjavur Navigation Tips
- The two primary clusters (Brihadeeswarar Temple and Palace) are only about 1 km apart and easily walkable.
- Auto-rickshaws are the most convenient transport; agree on the fare beforehand.
- A full-day taxi hire is recommended for the Chola trail sites: Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram.
- The main Thanjavur Bus Stand is located outside the city center, connecting to surrounding cities.