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Most visitors to Thanjavur come for the Brihadeeswarar Temple, but the old royal palace a short drive away is just as rewarding. Known as the Thanjavur Maratha Palace or Royal Palace, it is a rambling complex of courtyards, halls and towers that now holds some of the finest Chola bronzes in India, one of Asia’s oldest libraries and memories of two royal dynasties.
Parts of the complex are run by different bodies, so expect separate ticket counters and slightly different opening hours for each section.
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History
The palace was first built by the Nayaks of Thanjavur, who governed the region from the 16th century, originally as vassals of the Vijayanagara Empire. When the Nayak line ended, the Marathas of the Bhonsle family took over Thanjavur and used the palace as their royal residence from 1674 to 1855.
The best-known Maratha ruler was Serfoji II, a scholar-king who collected books, manuscripts and scientific instruments and greatly enriched the royal library. The British annexed most of the kingdom in 1799 but left the palace with the family. After the death of the last ruler, Shivaji II, in 1855, the Bhonsle family kept possession of the palace after legal action. The architecture mixes Nayak-period building traditions with later Maratha additions.
What to see
- Raja Raja Chola Art Gallery: the highlight for most visitors. Its halls display bronze and stone sculptures of Hindu deities from about the 9th to the 19th century, with an outstanding collection of Chola bronzes whose fine detail shows the jewellery, clothing and hairstyles of their time. There are also coins, paintings and ornaments.
- Saraswathi Mahal Library: established in the Nayak period, enriched by the Maratha kings and above all by Serfoji II, and opened to the public in 1918. It holds tens of thousands of palm-leaf and paper manuscripts in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and other languages, along with books, maps and paintings. The research library is for scholars, but a small museum displays a selection to visitors.
- Durbar Hall: the royal audience hall, a reminder of court life under the Nayaks and Marathas.
- Royal Palace Museum and Serfoji Memorial Hall: housed in the Sadar Mahal, with portraits and objects associated with the Maratha rulers.
- The towers: the palace’s tall watch towers, among them the bell tower and the arsenal tower, dominate the skyline. The arsenal tower area houses the skeleton of a large baleen whale that washed ashore on the Tamil Nadu coast. Access to the upper levels of the towers is sometimes closed.
Timings and tickets
At the time of writing the art gallery is open from about 9 AM to 6 PM. The Saraswathi Mahal Library museum keeps shorter hours, about 10 AM to 1 PM and 1:30 to 5:30 PM, and is closed on Wednesdays and government holidays. Each section sells its own inexpensive ticket, with separate camera fees and higher rates for foreign visitors. Check before you go, as timings and fees change.
Tips for your visit
- Plan the day: see the palace in the morning and the Big Temple from mid-afternoon into sunset.
- Avoid Wednesdays if you want to see the library museum.
- Hire a guide or read up: labels are limited, and the bronzes mean much more when you know the stories behind them.
- Shopping: Thanjavur is known for its gilded Thanjavur paintings and art plates; shops near the palace sell them.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Thanjavur is about 168 km from Pondicherry, around three and a half to four hours by car. Our Great Chola Temples tour and Thanjavur, Trichy and Madurai tour both include time in Thanjavur by car with driver, and our Tamil Nadu forts and palaces tour is designed for travellers who want more palaces and forts. Combine it with the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram on the way. More ideas on our museums and art and heritage and forts pages.
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Thanjavur Maratha Palace?
It was first built by the Thanjavur Nayaks in the 16th century and later extended by the Maratha (Bhonsle) rulers, who lived there from 1674 to 1855.
Is the Saraswathi Mahal Library open on Wednesdays?
No. At the time of writing the library museum is closed on Wednesdays and government holidays.
What is in the Thanjavur Palace art gallery?
The Raja Raja Chola Art Gallery displays bronze and stone sculptures from about the 9th to the 19th century, with an outstanding collection of Chola bronzes.
How far is the Thanjavur Palace from the Big Temple?
It is a short drive or auto ride from the Brihadeeswarar Temple, so both are easy to see on the same day.
