This is also called the Big temple and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The great Chola king Raja Raja I (985-1012 A.D) built this temple. It is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture. Its unique architectural excellence has made the UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Monument.
Just 1 km away from Brahadeeswarar Temple is the magnificent palace. This palace is surrounded with huge fort walls. It dates 14th century A.D and was partly built by the Nayaks and partly by Marathas. Even now the royal family of the Marathas resides in this palace. It measures 110 acres in size.
It contains a very rare and valuable collection of manuscripts, books, maps and paintings on all aspects of Art, Culture and Literature established around 1700 AD. Over eighty per cent of its manuscripts are in Sanskrit, many on palm leaves, some very rare or even unique.
It is a major form of classical South Indian painting and the art form dates back to about 1600 AD. Tanjore paintings are known for their surface richness, vivid colors, compact composition and especially the glittering gold foils used to give the paintings their rich look.
The Art Gallery has a fabulous collection of bronze icons. The stone sculptures are unique in their priceless quality. One can see and enjoy the finest pieces of stone sculptures and bronze icons of the gods of Hindu Mythology in different forms which helps the viewer get enlightened regarding the greatness of Chola art .
It lies on the banks of river cauvery, on the road connecting Kumbakonam and Thiruvaiyaru. It is most famous for the being one of the six "Padai Veedugal" (Battle Camps) of the Lord Murugan. The name of the town means 'God's mountain'. It has the only school that teaches the art (craft) of making bronze icons.
The Thyagarajaswami temple here has the biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. This is the birthplace of Saint Thyagaraja, the poet-saint and composer. T Boating at the Kamalalayam Temple tank is being organised by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Raja Raja Chola II built the Airateswara temple. It is an excellent example of 12th century Chola architecture & is well preserved to this day. During the 14th century the large stone statues surrounding the temple were replaced with brick & mortar statues similar to those found at the Big Temple in Thanjavur.
Dedicated to the god Shiva worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the "God of healing". It is one of the nine Navagraha (nine planets) temples associated with the planet Mars. The holy water of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex contains nectar, and a holy dip is believed to cure all diseases
The tamil trinity of carnatic music; Arunachala Kavirayar(1711–78), Muthu Thandavar(1525–1600) & Marimutthu Pillai(1712–87), originated from sirkazhi. The saiva saint tirugnanasambandar, foremost of the saiva nayanars, was born here in the 7th century. The town is centred on the Sattainathar Temple.
Kumbakonam is known for its Mahamaham festival which attracts people from all over the globe. The town reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture; and it acquired the cultural name, the "Cambridge of South India".
Situated at a distance of 20 kilometres from the district capital Tiruvarur, Mannargudi is the largest town in the district. Apart from being a rice-production centre, Mannargudi is known for the Rajagopalaswamy Temple. This temple was constructed in the 12th century and received patronage from the Nayaka Kings
Gets its name from the peahen form in which the hindu goddess parvathi worshipped god shiva at this place. mayuranatha swami temple, parimala ranganatha swamy temple, kasi vishwanatha swamy temple, punukeeswarar temple, vadhanyeswarar temple & ayyarappar temple are some of the famous temples.
The Manora fort is situated 65 km away from Thanjavur. The fort was built by Maratha ruler Serfoji II in 1814–1815 to commemorate the successful advance of the British over Napoleon Bonaparte. It is an 8-storied, hexagonal tower, which is 23-meters high overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
A five centuries old islamic shrine, nagore dargah attracts millions of pilgrims irrespective of caste, creed or religion. The festival season in nagore occurs during the month of may, typically, but the festival dates will change based on the lunar calendar. The popular kandhuri festival is celebrated with festivities and pomp.
This is also called the Big temple and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The great Chola king Raja Raja I (985-1012 A.D) built this temple. It is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture. Its unique architectural excellence has made the UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Monument.
It was once a flourishing ancient port city known as Kaveri puhum pattinam, being the capital and port city of Cholas, also called as Kaveeripumpattinam, as the river Cauvery drains into the Bay of Bengal here only. Kovalan and Kannagi of the great epic Silappathikaram, written by Ilangovadigal, lived in this town.
About 35 kms from thanjavur and the nearest railway station is budalur. It is a roman catholic pilgrim centre like velankanni. It is in the dome of the church the statue of the miraculous lady of poondi is placed. The miraculous statue is one of the three that were made in france after the apparition of our lady at lourdes.
Vyagrapureeswarar temple is a hindu temple located at perumpuliyur. The principal deity is shiva. Vyagrapureeswarar temple also known as perumpuliyur is one of the five shrines associated with the saivite saint vyagrapada. hymns have been composed in praise of the temple by sambandar in the thevaram.
45 Kms away, Thirubuvanam has a 13th century Chola temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also well known for its silk weaving industry anybody can get pure silk saris here with best Cost (Like as kanchipuram). Here is one old Big Temple (Kambahareswarar Temple). It was built by King Cholas Family.
Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple in Thirukkandiyur dedicated to Lord Shiva is incarnated by the hymns of Tirugnana Sambandar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is located 21 km away from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam- Tiruvaiyaru- Tanjore road. The temple is 2 km away from Tiruvaiyaru.
Thirunallar is most noted for the shrine of Lord Shani (Saturn), Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple within the temple dedicated to Lord Darbharanyeswaran, a form of Lord Shiva. Whenever (planet) Saturn transits from one zodiac sign to another (an occurrence roughly every 2.5 years), millions throng this shrine for worship
Thiruvaiyaru is more renowned for its association with Saint Thyagaraja, who, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Sastri, comprises the Trinity of Carnatic music. Thiruvaiyaru means Five Rivers around the city. The Five Rivers are Arisilaaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamuruttiyaaru and Kaveriaaru.
Velankanni (90 kms) Just 12 kms south of Nagapattinam, is one of the most popular Christian pilgrim spots in this part of India. People of all faiths and religions come to this church to pray at the shrine of Our Lady of Health. Velankanni is particularly crowded during the festival period in August-September.
