Formerly known as Tanjore, Thanjavur is a city in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu also an important center of South Indian religion art and architecture. Most of the Chola temples are UNESCO world heritage monuments and they are all located near Thanjavur. Home to Thanjavur paintings which is very unique to the region . The city is an important agricultural center located in the Cauvery delta and is also known as the rice bowl of India. Thanjavur emerged as an important regional center during the British regime and after independence it continued to be the district headquarters. Thanjavur is located on the Cauvery Delta

Thanjavur is an important pilgrim’s center and it also attracts a lot of tourists. Thanjavurhas a lot to of heritage, tradition and culture still alive and lively. The South Zone Culture centeris a regional cultural center that was established by the government of India primarily to promote the heritage and culture of India, especially Tamilnadu.

A lot of tourist crowd and pilgrims can be seen visiting the Brihadeeshwarar temple. Built by Raja Raja Chola, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple has been declared as a heritage site.
The Thanjavur Maratha Palace constructed by the rulers of Thanjavur Nayak kingdom remained the official residence of the Thanjavur Marathas. The palace and the surrounding fort continued to be with the Thanjavur Marathas.
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araswathi Mahal library is located within the premises of the palace and comprises of nearly 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts that were written on palm, leaf and paper. Majority of the manuscripts are in Sanskrit.

The Rajaraja Chola art gallery is also housed within the palace and comprises of a huge collection of stone and bronze image collections. The gallery houses several idols most of which were collected from different temples of Tanjore. The Sivaganga Park located on the east of Brihadeeswarar temple was built by Raja Raja chola too. The park was created for the people during the 1870-71 and houses a good collection of plants, animals, birds, etc. The park serves as a zoo for children within the city.

Thanjavur also houses the Schwartz church which is a historic monument located in the palace garden. The church was built by Serfoji II for Rev C.V.Schwartz of the Danish mission.  Thanjavur also houses five museums- Archaeological museum, Tamil university museum, Raja Raja Chola museum, Nayak Durbar museum, Saraswathimahal library museumwhich also makes for an interesting attraction in Thanjavur.

Raja Rajan Manimandapamis a major tourist attraction in Tanjore and was built during the Tanjavur Tamil conference.  Thanjavur is a hub for several cultural and art activities From Carnatic music to dance forms like Bharatnatiyam, such major dance and music forms and styles have developed from Thanjavur. The art and culture also revolves around religious beliefs and deities. Lord Krishna is the central image depicted in most art, dance performance and even music that’s played or sung. A tour of Thanjavur will offer you a tats of the Southern side of India in its truest and passionate form, where art and art forms create a medley that’s traditional and appealing to the ears an the eyes.