Tanjore Temples

TANJORE DISTRICT TEMPLES

          Tanjore, also known as thanjavur, is a city and a municipality in tanjore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. tanjore is also the capital of the tanjore District and lies 322 km to the southwest of Chennai. The city lies on the south bank of the Kaveri River. tanjore was the capital of the Mutharayars and Cholas when they were at the peak of their power. Since then, tanjore has been one of the chief political, cultural and religious centres of South India. tanjore is home to the famous Brihadeeswara Temple, one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites tanjore derives its name from Tanjan - an asura (demon) who according to local legend caused devastation and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Sri Neelamegapperumal. Tanjan's last request, that the city might be named after him, was granted.

tanjore paintings
tanjore medical college
tanjore chola temple


Under the Cholas

         Tanjore or Tanjapuri as it was called in the ancient times was chosen by the Mutharayar king and later conquered by Vijayalaya Chola. Vijayalaya built a temple for his favourite goddess Nisumbhasudani in the city. Although subsequent emperors made Kanchipuram a subsidiary capital, tanjore maintained its position as the chief city. The great Brihadisvara Temple, built by Rajaraja Chola I was completed around 1010 CE. It remained the centre of the Chola administration for many years, channelling the state revenue into a number of civic projects. It also acted as a repository of the empire's records, as the great Rajaraja had its walls covered with numerous inscriptions recording his conquests and his endowments to various charities. The impression we get from the inscriptions is of a wealthy, progressive city, although totally dominated by the temple.

tamil University
tanjore district


After the Cholas

           A Mighty Cannon of forge-welded Iron. This cannon was built during the reign of Raghunatha Nayak (1600 - 1645CE), and it was located at the defense barricade at the Eastern entrance to the city.After the Cholas the Pandyas conquered the Chola country. Madurai was the Pandya capital and tanjore remained in the background, as a province of Vijaynagar empire.Later in 1535,the Vijaynagar king installed a Nayak king hence the era of Tanjore Nayaks which lasted till mid-17th century, until attacked by the Madurai Nayaks. Later slipped into the hands of Marathas.Tanjore was conquered by the Marathas in 1674 under Venkaji, the half-brother of Shivaji the Great; his successors ruled as rajas of Tanjore. The British first came into contact with Tanjore by their expedition in 1749 with a view to the restoration of a deposed raja of Tanjore Nayak lineage. In this they failed, and a subsequent expedition was bought off.


THE OTHER MAIN TEMPLES IN TANJORE

1.Ganapathy Agraharam near Thiruvaiyaru
2.ThiruVeezhiMizhalai ( Padikkasu Vinayagar)
3.Thiruchengattangudi near Nannilam
4.Punaani nallur maariyamman temple near thanjavur
5.Sikkal near Nagappatinam
6.Ettukkudi
near Thiruvarur ( 23 kms )
7.Thiru chaikkadu near poompuhar ( Murugan has a Bow instead of Vel)
Vaiteeswaran Koil ( Muthukkumara swamy )
8. Ramar temple near Thiruvaiyaru( 12 kms from tanjore ).
9.Kannayiramudaiyaar Koyil-Vaiththeeswaran Koil
10.Andhisamrakshaneeswarar Koyil-Mayilaaduthurai
11.Aabhathsagaayar Koyil-AAyyampaettai
12.PanchaNadheeswarar Koyil-Thanjaavoor
13.KruthaPureeswarar Koyil-Thanjaavoor
14.VyaagraPureeswarar Koyil-Thanjaavoor
15.Vajrathambaeswarar Koyil-ariyaloor 16.SemmaeniNaathar Koyil-tanjore.
16.Ganapathy Agraharam near Thiruvaiyaru
17.Sivan temple thiruvidamaruthur,thirukkuvalai taluk..

tanjore hotels
tanjore tourism
tanjore train
tanjore colleges
temple town kumbakonam
tanjore dolls






Tanjore - Periyakoil


TANJORE BIG PRAGATHESWARWA TEMPLE
The Brihadeeswarar temple (also spelled Brihadeshvara Temple or Birhadeeshwara temple), originally called as Peruvudaiyar Koil in Tamil, is an ancient Hindu temple located at tanjore in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This 10th century CE temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples", is a prominent example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. The central temple known as the Periya Kovil (Big Temple) stands within a fort, whose walls were later additions built during the 16th century. The name periya kovil came from its original name "periya aavudayar kovil" (aavudayar being a local name of Lord Shiva). The vimana (main tower) of the temple is approximately 65 m (215 ft) high and is the tallest in the world. It was so designed that the vimana never casts a shadow at noon during any period of the year.


From the Preface to Rajarajesvaram, the Pinnacle of Chola Art by B.Venkataraman, 1985. For the Cholas, temple building was not merely an outpouring of artistic talent but also away of life, for the entire fabric of the society was woven round the temple.

Towering Gopurams
        The Gopurams display some of the finest examples of Dravidian art. The Gopuram tower of the temple is 216 feet high and is topped by a block of granite 25 feet square and 80 tons in weight. This stone was hauled four miles over an inclined plane and put on top of the tower. The dome carved from a single stone weighing 80 tons, is surrounded by 250 arcades, each containing a lingam. It is rightly said of the Cholas that they conceived like giants and finished like jewellers.
source:http://www.tamilnation.org/


Thiruvarur Thiyagaraja Temple

This is in Tanjore district, Lord Tyagaraja dwells here Birth in Tiruvalur gives Moksha Just as death in Benaras gives Mukti.

O Lord Tyagesa!
O Sankara, O Sambhu,
O Lord of Mercy,
Who kept the poison in the throat
To Save the world.
O Neela Kantha, O blue-necked one!
Prostrations unto Thee.
Give me that third eye of wisdom
To behold Thee everywhere;
Give me that soft heart
Which will melt easily
When I see the suffering of others;
Let me ever recite Thy Name–
OM Namo Sivaya.


Trivadi Tiruvayar Temple
Trivadi, Tiruvayar or Tiru-ayyaru is seven miles north of Tanjore. It is situated on the banks of Kaveri. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva—Panchanadiswara. The samadhi of Saint Tyagaraja is here on the banks of the river. All the Tamil songsters and Bhaghavatars assemble here and celebrate his birthday anniversary.


Suryanar Koil
There is a temple here dedicated to the Sun. It is two miles away from Tiruvadamarudar in the district of Tanjore, South India.


Transport Facilities to Tanjore:

By Bus : Tanjore has the big and well bus stand. town buses available from Tanjore main bus stand to Tanjore Big Temple (Periya Koil).
By Train : Tanjore has the railway junction. It has the train faculities from Chennai, Trichy , Banglore, etc. From Railway station to Tanjore big Temple (Periya Koil) buses and autoes are available.
By Air : Trichy is the nearest airport. It is just 60 km distance from Tanjore Periya Koil.

Hotel Facilities For Tanjore Temple:

Tanjore is an ancient city, It was once a stronghold of the Cholas. It was they who made Tanjore a center for learning and culture.Tanjore is particularly known for its handicrafts. In fact, Tanjore is a major exporter of local handicrafts worldwide. The entire Tanjore region is drained by the mighty river Cauvery. It is the presence of this water body that makes the entire region fertile and hence favorable for rice cultivation. Tanjore is hence fondly called the Rice Bowl of South India. A city deeply involved in arts, Tanjore patronizes Carnatic music and arts. The culture of the region is well reflected in the Navagraha Temples in Tanjore. Tanjore is a big town. It has well Boading and Lodging facility. So many lodges are available near Tanjore temples. There are the lodges in tanjore listed below

Ideal River View Resort
Hotel Gnanam
PL.A. Residency
Hotel Sangam
Hotel Ramanath Thanjavur
Hotel Parisutham
Adithya Hotel
Hotel Tamilnadu
Raja House
Ashok Lodge