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Contents

 

  1. History
  2. Getting Around
  3. Tourist Traps
  4. Local Customs
  5. Shopping
  6. Communications

Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu and the cultural capital of the country in the 18th century, Thanjavur rose to prominence during the Chola reign. Temple architecture was redefined during their rule, and a new paradigm of Dravidian architecture was set. The 11th century Big Temple or the Brihadeeswara Temple in the heart of the town stands testimony to such a tradition. The structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is unparalleled in terms of grandeur, scale and detailing. Conceived during the heyday of Chola rule by the great Rajaraja Chola I, the Brihadeeswara temple for centuries has attracted fascinated artists, curious historians, sociologists, and travelers who delight in its wealth of sculptures, beautiful calligraphy, frescoes, and over a hundred inscriptions on the walls. This artistic tradition was righteously carried forward by the Nayak and Maratha kings, and one can get a glimpse of it in monuments such as Serfoji Mahal Library and Tanjore Palace to name a few.

History

The history of Thanjavur played a significant role in defining the social, political and cultural scene in the ancient times. It was in the 12th and 13th centuries, under the rule of the culturally-inclined Chola rulers that the ancient city of Thanjavur gained prominence. There were landmark achievements in the field of art, literature and architecture. Of the great rulers from the Chola Empire, Koccengan and Karikala were most successful administrators who helped in the development of Sangam literature. In addition to this, the Cholas built beautiful temples and monuments that added to the grandeur of Thanjavur.

Another great Chola ruler who played an integral part by conquering new territories and expanding the district of Thanjavur was Vijayyalya. Among the Chola kings, Rajaraja Chola I merits a separate mention for he was a meticulous administrator, and conceptualized one of the greatest temples ever built, the Brihadeeswara Temple. From 1120 to 1163 AD, the Cholas went into a period of decline, and subsequently lost power while the Pandya kings rose to prominence. They, however, lasted for a brief span of time before being taken over by the Muslim rulers. Thanjavur went into the hands of the Vijayanagara monarchs during the 14th century who reigned till the 17th century. The Marathas too ruled the city for a short spell.

Finally, Thanjavur was taken over by the British rulers by the Treaty of 1799.

Getting Around

State buses ply in and around important landmarks in the city. To explore the local sightseeing attractions, auto-rickshaws are a decent option. It doesn’t cost any more than Rs 20 to 40 to get anywhere in this temple town. But, make sure to negotiate the fare beforehand in order to avoid any unpleasantness later. Not to mention, the most convenient way of browsing the city is to hire a tourist taxi, and explore at your own pace. In most cases, the cab driver doubles up as a tourist guide and takes you over to even lesser known points of sightsee. They, however, do not follow a fixed process of charging their clients, so it is again better to discuss the tariff before boarding in. Another mode of transport popular among locals is the cycle-rickshaw. It is a great way to soak up street life, drop into bazaars, and get a sense of the local way of life.

Tourist Traps in the City

Before boarding an auto-rickshaw, always negotiate the fare in order to avoid any unpleasantness later. Outside of this, there is no tourist trap of any note in Thanjavur.

Local Custom

Thanjavur is a small, conservative town where the locals are very simple and always ready to help (given you understand their language!). So, when visiting a temple, however big or small, dress up modestly, and avoid wearing short or revealing clothes.

Shopping

Thanjavur is an interesting destination to shop especially if you are an art collector. Everything you find at the handicraft market here is one-off and unique to this part of South India. They range from the famous ‘Thanjavur dancing doll’, Tanjore paintings to Tanjore art plates. You can find an array of Tanjore paintings and other objet d’ art at the Tanjore Palace museum shop. Here old and new artworks are sold, and you can conveniently use your credit card. At the Phoompuhar Art Gallery, both connoisseurs and collectors can revel in its range of artistic bronze statues, Tanjore paintings (a style of painting traditionally practiced in Tanjore depicting scenes from the Hindu mythology), and artistic plates. The genuineness of the artifacts here makes it very popular with foreign tourists.

A haven for craft lovers, Thanjavur owes much of its fame to the exquisite artwork and bronzes made by dexterous artisans. Browse the craft market some more, and you will find interesting weaves in silk, ethnic jewelry, filigree, woodwork, pottery, handloom products, and paintings. Must put up a bargain, for the prices quoted to tourists are on the higher side.

Silk weaving is a prominent traditional craft in the temple town, and many artists are engaged in this profession. When in Thanjavur, don’t forget to pick up a typical silk sari with a broad border adorned with unique motifs in zari work (golden threadwork). Such a sari is famously worn by the locals for weddings and festivals.

The traditional dancing, rather head-nodding, dolls (locally called Thalaiyatti Bommai) make for a wonderful souvenir for your friends back home. You can even go for the Thanjavur plates or brass and bronze depictions of Hindu deities. Shop for all this and more from government-owned stores or private ones spread across the city. Another option is to visit the workshops of local craftsmen, watch them turn out a work-of-art, and purchase directly from them if you like.

Communications

Phones : The prominent GSM service providers include BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea among others. CDMA service providers are Reliance Communications and Tata Indicom.

Internet: There are ample cyber cafes across the city from where you can browse the net, send emails and upload your travel photographs.

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