Scattered with gorgeous monuments, a legacy of the mighty Cholas, and ancient temples that are works of art, Thanjavur (popularly called Tanjore), in Tamil Nadu , stands as an excellent tribute to its former kings. At the guts of the town, is that the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brihadeeswarar Temple that was inbuilt the 11th century and is adorned with unique carvings and sculptures, along side inscriptions that give an account of life 1,000 years ago. While the temples are awe-inspiring, the city’s opulent palaces are not any less, testifying of the grandeur of the traditional Dravidian civilisation.

A true embodiment of South Indian art and craft, Thanjavur boasts a fine selection of traditional handcrafted items like bobblehead dolls, the divine Tanjore paintings and palm leaf articles. Thanjavur is additionally popular for serious music and Bharatnatyam dance. it’s the birthplace of the percussive instrument thavil, popularly utilized in Indian serious music .
Fringed by several quaint towns, Thanjavur acts because the gateway to serene destinations like Chidambaram, famous for the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple and Nagore, about 85 km away, that’s revered by Muslims.
Legend has it that Thanjavur has been named after a demon, Tanjan, who was killed during a battle by Lord Vishnu. His last request was that the region be named after him, which was granted by the lord.