THANJAVUR PALACE - THANJAVUR PART-2

THANJAVUR PALACE

THANJAVUR PALACE COMPLEX

MAIN ATTRACTIONS INSIDE THE PALACE

The Main attractions to visit in the Palace are Saraswathi Mahal Library, Royal Palace Museum, Serfoji Memorial Hall, Durbar hall, Art Gallery, Bell Tower, Sangeeth Mahal and Sarjah Madi.

At the main ticket counter we can buy the tickets for entry and also camera fee excluding the Royal Palace Museum and Serfoji Memorial Hall for which the tickets are sold at the entrance of these two places.The entry tickets and camera tickets are checked at all entry points and stamped.

Saraswati Mahal Library.

This building is easily identifiable with a very colourful frontage. There are many books and palm leaf manuscripts in this well-maintained library. There are also atlases, dictionaries and rare old books. Originally started by the Nayaks during their rule, this library got most of its patronage under the Marathas, especially under Serfoji II.The most important collection of the library are the palm leaf manuscripts written in various scripts.

Photography is not allowed inside the library.

There is an audio-visual center next to the Saraswathi Mahal Library where a presentation of important places to visit in and around Thanjavur, which is well narrated and presented.

DARBAR HALL

This large hall has the ceiling painted beautifully similar to which we had seen in Nandi Mandapam at Brihadeeswara Temple - a type of art form very common to the Maratha rule. At the centre is the portrait of the maharaja. The art work and painting on the ceiling are beautiful.

The Durbar hall is the place where the Maratha Kings used to meet their Ministers and common citizens. This is quite large and is full of colorful paintings. At the center is the portrait of Maharaja. At the outside of Durbar hall is a courtyard with Nandi.

ART GALLERY

This place was basically the Nayak Palace, originally built by the Nayaks who ruled before the Marathas. The rooms have now been converted into a museum where there is a good collection of beautiful statues & sculptures.

On the south side of the courtyard is the Arsenal Tower. This, as the name suggests, is an eight-storied structure which was used as a storage place for weapons and ammunitions by the Marathas built in the year 1885. 

BELL TOWER

Right next to the Art Gallery is the Bell Tower. This seven-storied structure was built by the Nayaks and is said to be used for offering prayers.

SANGEET MAHAL

Right opposite to the Art Gallery is Sangeet Mahal, built in the year 1600 by Sevappa Nayak. Due to shortage of time we could not visit Sangeet Mahal.

The Thanjavur Palace is a must-visit place, especially the Art gallery and Saraswathi Mahal.