Tanjore (Thanjavur), which lies in the east of Trichy in Tamil Nadu is popularly known as the “Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu”.. As Tanjore is in Tamil Nadu, I have visited the place umpteen number of times and it still continues to remain as my most favorite spot ! Thanjavur is basically a place ruled by the Cholas and the ancient culverts impart the generosity of the Cholas and their immeasurable charity almost round the clock, due to which there is a belief that, Tanjore might have been called as the “Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu”. Almost every temple at Tanjore reveals the prosperity & copiousness of its ancient rulers.
HOW TO GO TO TANJORE
A very good transportation is available to get to Tanjore. There are great frequency of buses / trains from any part of India. Most tourists plan their trip to Tanjore after they complete their sight-seeing at Trichy ‘cause the road journey from Trichy to Tanjore would be quite a pleasant one ! Also, from the most popular Magaamaham Famous Kumbakonam, Tanjore is about 3 to 3 ½ hours by road.
WHERE TO STAY @ TANJORE
Just like every other tourist spot at Tamil Nadu, Tanjore too proudly possesses many good lodges & hotels at very reasonable charges and a few best among them include, Hotel Temple Tower, Hotel Karthick, Hotel Orient Towers, Hotel Valli, The Raja Raja House etc… In all these lodges, advance bookings could be made via the internet itself or over phone.
MY FAVORITE SPOTS AT TANJORE
--------- Brahadeeswarar Temple ---------
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Not only for me, but for everyone who knows about this wonderful ancient city, the first choice would always be the Brahadeeswarar Temple. Frankly, even one full day would not be enough to go around the complete temple.
This temple has a very deep historic heritage. Tanjore was ruled by the Raja Raja Cholan and around 1, 100 years ago, the Brahadeeswarar Temple had been built by this King, which has the main God as ‘Shiva’. If you desperately desire to know the real meaning of our antique Bronze Sculptures / Paintings, then you should certainly pay a visit to this ‘Big Temple’. Almost every Statue at the temple is poetic and convey thousands of Hoary Stories.
The first and foremost appealing feature at the Big Temple is the enormous Nandi (which is the Statue right opposite to Lord Shiva) placed near the entrance of the temple which is really very very big in size and such a big Nandi has been built of just ONE STONE, which still remains an unbeaten record !
If you pay a visit at least for 2 to 3 days to the Brahadeeswarar Temple, you would get an opportunity to know at least a little of the great heritages of this Big temple. North Indians could book genuine Guides through the Tamil Nadu Tourism Office, who would provide the travellers with a lot of valuable information about the temple.
--------- Tanjore Paintings ---------
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Next to the ancient Big Temple, Tanjore is greatly famous for its Paintings and even a very simple Tanjore painting as on date cost at least around Rs.25, 000/-.
Some KNOWNs and UNKNOWNs about Tanjore Paintings
• Tanjore Paintings are based on a specific style and technique, that had originated almost 5000 years ago during the ruling period of the Marathaas
• Every Painting would contain one base Deity with round or almond-shaped eyes
• Golden Leaves and Dazzling Stones are commonly used to highlight the various significant aspects of the Painting
• The main aim of a Tanjore Painting to make it absolutely visible even in the darkest room. Even in dark, you would find the Painting to be breathtakingly beautiful & charming
• While initially the Artists preferred to draw only Lord Krishna in Tanjore Paintings, the subsequent artists as per the changing trends, have started creating them with other Gods. Recently at a popular exhibition spot, a Tanjore Painting containing Jesus Christ had been kept on display
• The Frames of the Painting are made of precious and expensive teak wood
• Instead of breakable glass, transparent acrylic sheets are used to avoid breakage and for longevity
• While the early Tanjore Paintings during the period of the Cholas were created only with real diamonds, inestimable rubies & other precious stones, due to the posterior changing trends, the Artists had started using artificial stones and semi-precious stones which gained great popularity among the Travellers
Where @ Tanjore can you find these Wonderful Paintings ?
There are special Enquiry Counters (for the Tanjore Paintings) at the State Tourism Offices and any autowala / taxiwala can take the travellers to these offices. Also, to view and cherish at least a few of the REAL Tanjore Paintings, the best place you could visit would be the ‘Saraswathi Mahal Library’ at Tanjore.
OTHER PLACES
There are not many, other than the Big Temple at Tanjore. The Big Temple alone itself is enough to attract thousands of travellers to this holy city each day !
A Tamil University which has been recently established at Tanjore, reveals the deep cultural heritage of Tamil literature and the language. This University possesses precious books and ancient records on Tamil literature, which is a must-see for the Tamilaholic !
There are a few Parks & Gardens for children at very prominent places at Tanjore almost near the Bus Stand. Also, some themeparks have been recently constructed, details of which could be obtained from the Tourism Offices / Lodges.
For all those who pay a visit to Tamil Nadu, the Tanjore Brahadeeswarar Temple is a must-see place. Unless you see the Temple, you would never ever perceive the greatness of the place !