Know Thanjavur

If you are looking to visit a city that is teeming with culture, heritage, and historical monuments, then look no further than Thanjavur (or Tanjore as it was earlier known), a beautiful historical city located in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Set in the delta of the Cauvery river, this city is known as the ‘Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu’ and covers an area of about 36.3 square kilometers. The city is well connected by roads and railways, however, the nearest airport is in neighboring Tiruchirapalli located about 60km away. There is no dearth of hotels here as the tourist footfalls in this city of ancient architectural beauty are high and the Sangam group of hotels has a branch here too, to serve the discerning traveler’s needs.

It is believed that this ancient city got its name from Hindu mythology, with Thanjavur being derived from Tanjan, the legendary demon. The city is believed to have risen to prominence during the reign of the Medieval Cholas and was the capital of the empire. After the fall of the Cholas, and amid numerous wars, the city was ruled by many, including the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Madurai Nayaks, the Thanjavur Nayaks, the Thanjavur Marathas, and finally by the British Empire.

With the city lying in the rich Cauvery delta region, agriculture is the main source of economy and it’s considered the most fertile region of the state. Rice, as well as coconuts and sugarcane, are the main crops grown. The industries here are agro-based and include rice and oil mills.

The city’s culturally-rich Chola temples are now UNESCO World Heritage Monuments and are a sight to behold with their beautiful carvings depicting tales from the Hindu scriptures. The Brihadishwara temple is a sight to behold and best seen in the early morning hours or during sunset when its rock body captures the colors of the sun. Other well-known temples include the Garbarakshambigai temple, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, the Raahu Navagrahahasthalam temple, the Thirunallar temple, the Thirumananjeri temple and the Punnainallur Mariamman Koli temple.

The Schwartz church and the Calimere Wildlife and bird sanctuary are also great places to visit. Also, the Thanjavur Royal palace, which is a maze-like complex that is a mix of renovation and ruins and shouldn’t be missed! Thanjavur is also home to the famous Tanjore style of paintings, which is unique to this region.

All in all, a great place to steep yourself in the mystique of ancient history! Do drop us a message if you’d like to know more or book rooms with us.