Thanjavur
Cultural hub of Tamil Nadu

Built in 1010 AD by Raja Raja I, an excellent Chola ruler, the Brihadeeswara (Brihadishwara ) Temple has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its outer fortifications were later put up by the Nayak rulers, for extra protection. Thanjavur’s most prominent landmark, it’s also referred to as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or the ‘Big Temple’. it’s a fine example of Chola architecture and was constructed using a number of the foremost advanced techniques of that point . The temple houses inscriptions that give detailed accounts of the town and its life from a 1,000 years ago. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple may be a towering structure at 212 ft, and houses one among India’s tallest shivlings, about 13 ft high. Another highlight is India’s second-largest monolith of Nandi (bull god), which is 12 and a half ft high, eight ft long and five ft wide. It stands at the doorway of the temple, as a protector of the land. the large Temple celebrated its 1000th year of construction in 2010. the main festival celebrated here is Maha Shivaratri during the second week of February.

About 110 km from Thanjavur, the holy town of Chidambaram is noted for its Dravidian architecture temples. because the morning bells start to peel, you’ll awaken to a fresh cup of hot coffee, and after a luxurious breakfast, fix to explore the quintessential Tamil town. the most attraction is Chidambaram Natarajar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. this is often revered together of the five shrines scattered across the state that represent five elements (air, water, earth, fire and wind). Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja, the god of dance, while in most places he’s revered as a shivling. consistent with legend, Lord Shiva came to measure during this town, but since it already served because the abode of Goddess Kali, the duo decided to resolve the difficulty through a dance competition. Lord Shiva gave a splendid performance of his cosmic dance, tandav, while Kali enacted the lasya. Lord Shiva won the competition and have become the Lord of Chidambaram. Lord Vishnu is additionally worshipped during this temple as Lord Govindaraja Perumal. Another attraction is that the Annamalai University, one among the simplest academic centres within the country. Tourists can buy gold jewellery within the town because it is renowned for its ornament-making.

Lying on the outskirts of the town , the town of Darasuram is best known for the Airavateshwara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple was inbuilt the 12th century by Raja Raja Chola, an excellent Chola ruler. It houses shrines of Goddess Parvati, Lord Yama (god of death), Lord Subramanya and Goddess Saraswati, aside from an idol of Lord Shiva. Tourists also can admire the sculptured representations of Saptamatrikas and various Shaivite devotees. Right ahead of the most shrine may be a mandapa (open tent of sorts) of Alankara. The colonnade of piers at the mandapa has square panels on their sides, and every panel is roofed in scenes sculpted from Shaivite traditions. On the south end of the mandapa, each base has large stone wheels supporting it and a horse to top it all, giving the mandapa the design of a chariot. During the 14th century, the temple’s architectural designs were changed to brick-mortar statues so as to resemble the format used at the large Temple in Thanjavur.

With lush green landscapes surrounding it, the temple established by Rajendra Chola holds richly carved sculptures of Mahisasuramardini, Nataraja, Ardhanariswara and Chandikeshwara. there’s also a huge monolith of Nandi and two majestic Dwarpalas guarding the doorway . The temple complex may be a a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site grouping of Chola Temples and makes for a desirable visit. the location may be a fine example of Chola architecture and encapsulated a really integral period of the dynasty’s rule. The temple has sculptures of outstanding quality; the bronze sculptures of Bhogasakti and Subrahmanya are Chola masterpieces of metal while the Saurapitha (Solar altar), the lotus altar with eight deities, is widely considered to be auspicious. Gangaikondacholapuram was the capital of Rajendra Chola (1012-1044 AD), the son of Raja Raja Chola. When Rajendra Chola settled down here, 70 km faraway from Thanjavur, he also built a temple for Lord Shiva on ground, equivalent in magnificence to the large Temple in Thanjavur. Legend states that when , during his travel, when he had conquered several northern kingdoms, the king brought back water from the holy River Ganga here during a golden pot as a sacrifice to Shiva. As a mark of celebration, he also established a liquid pillar of victory called Jalamaya Sthamba. Rajendra Chola was bestowed with the name Gangaikondan (the one who brought the Ganga). The town was then named after him. Recently, ASI unearthed remains of a ruined palace built by Rajendra Chola at a site southwest of the town; the world is currently under their protection. While here, attempt to pay a visit to the palace too.

Kumbakonam (Coommbaconum) is an idyllic town skirted by Cauvery and Arasalar rivers. Popular as a temple town, Kumbakonam is home to around 188 temples, the foremost prominent of which is that the Kumbeswarar Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it’s the oldest shrine within the area, inbuilt the 7th century. the simplest time to go to is during the celebrations of the Mahamaham Festival. Another attraction is that the 12-storey-high Sarangapani Temple built by the Nayak kings. Raghunatha Nayak, who ruled the town within the 16th century, got scenes from Ramayana painted on the walls of the Ramaswamy Temple. Kumbakonam is additionally known to possess a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the Hindu god who is liable for the creation of the universe and of life on earth. There are only a few temples of Lord Brahma within the world and Kumbakonam has one among them.

Lying in close proximity to Thanjavur, Swamimalai Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is perched on a hillock. One must climb 60 steep steps to succeed in it that represent 60 years of the Hindu Years Cycle. Legend says that Lord Murugan himself taught the meaning of the pranaya mantra meant to worship his father Lord Shiva, at this site once. Swamimalai is additionally believed to be one among the six holy abodes of Lord Murugan. it’s referred to as the Padai Veedugal (Battle Camps) of Lord Murugan. there’s also a shrine of Lord Shiva situated just a touch below the temple on the hillock. the simplest time to go to the temple is during Temple Car Festival, held in April and Panguni Uthiram Festival organised during the month of March.

In the chronicles of history, Thanjavur Palace features a unique place as a site reflecting the convergence of Tamil and Maratha heritage. The palace is found only one km faraway from the large Temple and has served as a crucial centre for both the Nayak dynasty and therefore the Maratha kingdom. Surrounded by magnificent walls for fortification, it had been built by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and later expanded on by the Marathas between 1676-1855, and thus, is additionally sometimes referred to as the Maratha Palace. The building houses huge corridors, intricately designed durbars, tall observation towers, decorated rooms and stunning fresco walls and ceilings. The stucco works here are a treat for the eyes. The ornate balconies provide a wide ranging bird’s eye view of the city; access to them however, is usually restricted. Thanjavur Palace also houses the royal family’s sacred temple dedicated to Lord Chandra Mauleeswara. The architectural display makes it a must-visit and therefore the sheer amount of art it holds within the sort of carvings, engravings and ornate balconies is nothing in need of fascinating. While here, one should specifically look out for the Arsenal Tower, the tower , the Darbar Hall and therefore the Sangeetha Mahal. Tourists also can visit the gallery and therefore the Saraswathi Mahal Library that are absorbed within the bottom of this complex.

Located within the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu , Chettinad Showcases the rich heritage, striking art and grand architecture of the state. aside from being referred to as a temple town, the Chettinad Cuisine is that the most famous within the repertoire of Tamil Nadu . The word “Chetti” may be a Sanskrit term meaning wealth. it’s derived from the first traders of the region who dealt in salt and spices for marbles and other decorative items utilized in the development of their properties. it’s an elaborately vibrant culture and an over the highest extortionate township comprising of ridiculously opulent mansions, palatial homes, magnificent temples and interesting museums.
Chettinad comprises mainly a town referred to as Karaikudi and a cluster of 96 surrounding villages. the town has, perhaps, the foremost elaborate and rich culture and a few truly fascinating traditions. The place is extremely much in India, but it dances to its tunes. There are temples, palaces, museums, fantastic food and everything else you’ll wish for during a vacation. This place will still stay in your memory for its incredible history and therefore the truly memorable experience.