Tanjore Palace - Tamilnadu
The Tanjore Palace is the best place to visit in Tamil Nadu due to its stunning architectural work of art that takes tourists to the heyday of the Nayak dynasty and is tucked away in the center of Tanjore. The Nayak kings and then the Maratha monarchs occupied this magnificent building, which is also referred to as the Maratha building. It still serves as a reminder of South India's rich cultural legacy and architectural prowess. The Nayak king Sevappa Nayaka constructed the Tanjore Palace in the sixteenth century. It functioned as the Nayak kingdom's administrative and residential hub, dominating a sizable portion of southern India. Tanjore was taken over by the Maratha Empire in the eighteenth century, and the palace served as their bastion. Numerous significant historical occurrences took place in the palace, including the British exile of Maratha ruler Serfoji II in 1855.
Tanjore Palace’s architecture
A masterwork of architecture, Tanjore Palace is a must-visit place in Tamil Nadu to witness Rajput, European, and Dravidian architectural elements blending together. The enormous courtyard of the royal complex is encircled by towers, gates, and thick walls. The central tower of the two-story main palace building soars to a height of one hundred feet. The tower is decorated with elaborate murals, sculptures, and carvings that represent historical and mythological subjects. The Grand Hall is among Tanjore Palace's most striking features. The Durbar Hall, as it was also called, was a large room used for public meetings and ceremonial events. The hall has a high ceiling that is decorated with beautiful paintings and chandeliers, and it is supported by enormous pillars. Life-size images of the Nayak and Maratha emperors adorn the walls. A museum showcasing the rich legacy and artistic creations of the Nayak and Maratha dynasties is currently housed in the palace. A variety of objects, such as paintings, sculptures, textiles, weapons, and furniture, are kept in storage inside the museum. The exquisitely carved Sarfoji Throne, which the monarchs utilized during rituals, is one of the museum's attractions. The Assault on Tanjore Palace (1741) was a crucial combat that took place at Tanjore Palace. With an army of 100,000 soldiers, Maratha General Raghoji Bhosale overthrew the Nayaks and took control of the palace. A bloody battle later, the Marathas broke through the palace defenses and took control of the stronghold. Tanjore came under Maratha rule after this victory. Every day, anyone can visit the Tanjore Palace. The Grand Hall, the museum, and the palace complex are all open to visitors for a small entrance fee. The palace is a well-liked location for cultural events, including weddings. Tanjore Palace, a captivating work of art, welcomes guests to explore Tamil Nadu's rich historical and cultural legacy. For everyone interested in Indian history and architecture, it is a must-visit location because of its magnificent architecture, expansive halls, and rare relics. You nearly feel as though you are traveling back in time to a world of monarchs, battles, and artistic splendor as you stroll through the royal corridors. One of Tamil Nadu's top attractions is Tanjore Palace, which is renowned for its exquisite architecture combining elements of European, Dravidian, Nayaka, and Maratha design. There are numerous regions within the palace complex, and each one has its own special architectural qualities, like elaborate carvings, ornamental lines, grand arches, and large, exquisite murals that depict scenes from mythology.
Tanjore Palace’s Special Features:
A vast collection of antiques, sculptures, paintings, weapons, music, writings, and mementos from many eras can be found in Tanjore Palace's museum and art gallery. The museum provides excellent insight into Thanjavur's art, culture, history, and ruling dynasties. Tanjore Palace also has the significant Royal Palace Museum. Numerous antiquities and private belongings belonging to the royal family are on exhibit, encompassing apparel, accessories, furnishings, and armaments. One of Asia's oldest libraries, the Saraswati Maha Library, is located next to Tanjore Palace. It has a sizable collection of rare books, historical papers in multiple languages, palm leaf books, and ancient manuscripts. For the purpose of using these rare and valuable resources, scholars and researchers from all over the world should come here.
How to reach Tanjore palace
By Air – Trichy airport is the nearest to reach Tanjore palace covering 63 Km
By Train – Tanjore railway is the nearest junction to reach Tanjore palace covering 32 Km
By Road – Driving from Tanjore via East Main Street is the best way to reach Tanjore palace covering less than 1 Km.