Located in the heart of Tanjavur town, The Tanjavur Maratha Palace is currently the residence of the Bhonsle family that occupied Tanjore from 1674 to 1855. The palace locally called Aranmanai, was originally built by the Nayaks but after their defeat against the Marathas, the palace was taken over by the Marathas. The Department of Archaeology protects the important monuments present in the palace complex.
History of the Thanjavur Maratha Palace
The construction of Tanjavur Palace began in 1534 during the reign of Sevappa Nayak, and was completed in 1535. The Palace was called “Sivagangai Fort” and was under the Nayak family until April 1674, when the Maratha ruler Venkoji captured it. The Marathas, who expanded the complex, used it until 1799 after which it was finally annexed by the British.
Inside the Palace Complex
The Palace is divided into eight different sections – Royal Palace Museum, Serfoji Memorial Hall, Darbar hall, Saraswathi Mahal Library, The Art Gallery, Bell Tower, Sangeet Mahal and Sarjah Madi. Once past the main gate, you first reach the Ticket counter wherein you can pay for the entry tickets and camera fee. Separate tickets counters are available outside the Royal Palace Museum and Serfoji Memorial Hall.
Royal Palace Museum:
The Maratha Palace complex now owned by the Bhosle family has the Royal Palace Museum as its first section. It has a collection of royal headgears, weaponry, beautiful sculptures and many more items used by the royals.
Maharaja Serfoji Memorial Hall:
This hall is right next to the Palace Museum. Tourists have to get separate entry and camera tickets at the entrance. This hall commemorates the Maratha King Serfoji II (1798-1832). The place is a large hall with crafts items and photographs.
The Maratha Durbar Hall:
The Maratha Durbar Hall is the royal court hall which currently houses the Tanjavur Art Gallery. The hall has a beautifully painted ceiling and walls adorned by several paintings of yesteryear Maratha rulers and images of deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, Indra with their consort.
Saraswathi Mahal:
The Saraswathi Mahal located outside the palace, is one of the oldest and finest libraries in India. A library found inside the Saraswathi Mahal displays selected books.The library has more than a million manuscripts in various languages including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi.
Art Gallery (Nayak Palace Courtyard/Arsenal Tower):
This place was originally the Nayak Palace, built by the Nayaks. The palace was later converted into a museum with a wide collection of statues, weapons, old coins etc. In front of the palace is a big courtyard providing an extensive view of the building.
Koodagopuram/Arsenal Tower:
The Koodagopuram/Arsenal Tower, to the south of the courtyard, is a pyramidal structure with eight floors and is 192 feet tall. It was initially constructed in the year 1645 with two floors by the Nayaks, and was later renovated and finished by the Marathas in the year 1855. It was predominantly used for military purposes – second floor for the King’s martial arts training, first floor as a watchtower and remaining floors for storage of arms and ammunition.
The Maadamaaligai/Bell Tower:
This is a rectangular mansion as its name rightly suggests in Tamil language. The tower has seven floors and was once used as a time teller using the mechanical bell that rung every hour from the top.
Sangeet Mahal:
Sangeet Mahal is an indoor auditorium located opposite to the Art gallery. The hall was built by Sevappa Nayak in the year 1600. It was so acoustically designed so as to bring out the pure sound of music.
Sarjah Madi (Sadar Madi):
The place is located near to the main ticket counter. It has admirable five circular balconies, each in a different size.
Intriguing Features of the Palace
- The complex having been built by the Nayaks as a fort, and not a palace. The primitive and narrow staircases with short steps, sharp turns and low ceilings, all indicate how the complex was built to disrupt the enemies’ rapid advances.
- The palace encompasses at the least 3 hidden chambers, the access to which has now been prohibited by the Government. The chambers is said to have secret interconnecting doors and are believed to have been used as torture chambers and to conduct discreet meetings.
- The palace also has two underground passages that were designed as a getaway route during war. One of the tunnels, a mile long, is said to be connecting the palace to Brihadeeswara Temple.
- The Chandramouleshwar Temple is the royal family’s temple located on the ground floor. It is a very modest temple with a Shiva Lingam and two Nandhis (sacred bulls) in front. It was constructed by Achuthappa Nayak in the year 1589. The deity is worshipped every morning by the Royal families.
- The Arsenal Tower houses a 92 feet skeleton of “Whalebone Whale” also known as the Baleen Whale. The dead whale is said to have been washed ashore on 26th February 1955 in Tharangambadi Beach. The bones were soon after brought into the palace and preserved.
- Audiovisual displays are available on an hourly basis between 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM showcasing the history, main attractions of Tanjavur.
Timings & Entry Fee
The Royal Palace is open everyday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM , remains closed during lunch hours and is closed on public holidays.
Entry Fee – Rs. 30, Still Camera Rs. 30, Video Camera Rs. 300
How to reach Thanjavur Maratha Palace
Tanjavur is well connected to other cities. There are frequent local buses to Tanjavur, and it also has direct buses from Hyderabad, Ernakulam and Bangalore. Tanjavur Junction is the nearest rail head and Trichy International Airport is the nearest Airport.
Epilogue
Tourists are guaranteed a vivid experience through the display of colourful paintings, sculptures, ancient manuscripts, Indian art and history. The place is a storehouse of knowledge and information for History enthusiasts. With the assistance of guides, make sure you leave no stones unturned while exploring the amazing architecture and paintings of the primeval times.
Amir Mahal is one of the greatest attraction in Chennai. The Amir Mahal was constructed in 1798 by the British East India Company to house administrative offices of the company. Robert Chrisholm was given the task of converting the office building into a palace. In 1876, the Nawab moved in with his family into the Amir Mahal. The mahal has since been the residence of the Nawabs of Arcot. Nawab of Arcot used to live here along with his family. It is located in the Royapettah.
The living style of this residency is different from other posh houses/Mahal. Prince of Arcot is very friendly with the supremacy. Not only visitors visit this oldest Palace of Tamilnadu but a number of leaders, Presidents, and many other celebrities also love to visit here. Amir Mahal is one of the oldest and most attractive palaces to visit in Tamilnadu. Amir Mahal was constructed in Indo-Saracenic style. It has been the residence of the family since 1876.
The Nawab’s successor, Mohammad Abdul Ali, and his three brothers still live in the palace with their families. It also has a mini-cricket ground which is currently being renovated by the government. With the end of Nawabship, supremacy took the prime residence of Nawab’s which is Chepauk palace, Marina. Kals Mahal is established in an area of 121-acre land. Presently, this Palace is used as a Public Work Department offices.
Rajivji’s grandfather, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, had also visited Amir Mahal twice, as Prime Minister of India, in 1955 and 1963. World standards, extraordinary architecture, innovative layouts, and well-thought execution make this place a highly coveted point of tourist interest. Do not forget to carry your camera and capture special moments. Amir Mahal is a sure way to refresh and relax after a busy weekday. Explore interesting themes, fabulous designs, colorful landscapes, amusing characters, ambient music, props.
Ripon Building, Chennai
The magnificent white color building was commissioned in 1913 and was built by Loganatha Muthaliyar which took 4 years to complete. The inaugural function was huge and massive which was attended by around 3000 elite people of the city. It was beautiful in the structure in white color.
The tower in the middle of the building with the clock is remarkable. The building is constructed with stock bricks and roof is made of teak wood and marble flooring to add grace. It is more than 100 years old building located near Central railway station. The pure white color building is one of the architectural masterpieces.
It is the seat of the Chennai Corporation and generally, entry is restricted. A new block has been constructed, to look like the original, but with all the glass facade, it cannot dream of being a clone.
It is now renovated after metro work. It looks like a white palace with a beautiful garden. Must visit place for architecture lovers.
Fort St. George Museum is one of the most famous museums in the city of Chennai. It was opened to the public from 31st January 1948.
Fort museum is home to a massive collection of around 3661 antique items. It depicts artifacts of different ages of modern Indian history. A treasure trove of a collection in this museum is spread across three floors and divided into 10 galleries. It displays interesting military memorable weapons and artwork from colonial times.
We can find various arms like rifles and pistols, mortars, petard, cannon shots, breastplates, swords, daggers, helmets, baton, bow, and arrow. This museum also displays pieces of shells fired during the World Wars. Everything related to the army is displayed in this museum. We can find the uniforms of various ranks of the British Army, the ceremonial dresses of Madras Governor’s Bodyguards and the Under Secretary of Madras Government, cushions used in the official investiture ceremony, 64 medals and medallions issued by the British Government for honoring its soldiers in various battles and also regimental colors of various units.
Among the most popular collections here are the depictions of two sons of Tipu Sultan as prisoners and paintings exhibiting constructions and renovation works that were carried out in ancient times. At the entrance, the information center, ticket counter and a help desk for physically challenged visitors with facilities like touch screen, audio guide, Braille brochure, wheelchair etc are made available.
An open-air kids gallery is in the rampart garden in front of the main entrance with a life-size cannon model along with its working mechanism and a life-size talking cannon model where the children are allowed to touch and learn. A small library with books related to the freedom movement in India is also available for the visitors.
Government Museum, Egmore, Chennai
It is a museum of human history and culture located on the Pantheon road. It is the second oldest museum in India. It is particularly rich in archaeological and numismatic collections. It also has Roman antiquities.
The colossal museum is one of the most impressive among them. The museum was built in Indo-Saracenic style. The museum complex consists of six buildings and around 50 galleries. The objects displayed in the museum covers a variety of artifacts concern about diverse fields including zoology, archeology, natural history, and sculptures.
It has works of artists like Raja Ravi Varma, palm leaf manuscripts and Amravati paintings. The museum for children in the complex has galleries of dolls adorned with costumes of various nations and civilizations. It also exhibits science, technology, and transportation. It has an impressive architecture in every division.
It also has a huge Whale skeleton hanging in mid-hall is the focal point. Few galleries are dedicated to the collection of stamps and coins from all over the world. It is a place to admire unseen things at cheap entry fees.
Official website of Government Museum Chennai: govtmuseumchennai.org
This town hall is a historical momentum of Chennai. It is one of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
It was located on EVR Periyar Salai near Moore market and between Ripon Building and Chennai central railway station.
It was constructed with red brick and painted with lime mortar. It is the rectangular building has an Italianate tower capped by Travancore style roof. It has been a venue of important public and social events.
Eminent personalities including Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda, Gokul Krishna Gokhale, Subramania Bharathi, and Sardar Vallabhai Patel have addressed meetings in the hall. Many famous artists staged their play in this hall.
The first cinema show in Chennai held in this hall. In later years, it has been a site for sale of literature. Lilypond behind was the scene of much beauty.
This is the heritage building escaped from demolition for metro rail project now houses the South Indian Athletic Association Club. It is a must visit place for architecture admirers.
Image Attribution : Sudhamshu
Samanar Hills, mainly tell us about Jains and Jainism.
It is believed that Samanar (Tamil Jains) saints lived here. So, it was named Samanar hills (Malai). It is situated at Keelakuilkudi village that is 15kms away from Madurai.
The hill shows many inscriptions and sculptures that dates back to the 9th century BCE.
There are two main sculptures Settipodavu and Pechipallam that show Tirthankaras of Jain monks.
Settipodavu shows the image of Mahavira Jain, the last Tirthankara. Pechipallam shows eight sculptures that include Mahavira Jain and Bahubali. It is said that Jains believe that even their breath can kill organisms such as bacteria etc.
Hence, they would kill themselves by fasting and without breathing. Here, evidence of the same can be witnessed in the form of inscriptions.
Stone beds can be seen, where the monks used to rest. The main place to know about Jains and Jainism.
To have a different experience, you must visit this place.
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temple built in 700-728 AD is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India built under the reign of Narasmhavarman II. The temple located in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal and hence is named the Shore Temple. The temple is a complex of temples and shrines, built with blocks of granite dating from the 8th century AD.
The monuments and temples at Mahabalipuram including the Shore Temple complex were collectively classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
History of Mahabalipuram Shore Temple
The south Indian state of Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram was nicknamed “Seven Pagodas” since the first European explorers reached it. Legend has it that apart from the Shore Temple, six other temples once stood with it.
King Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava Dynasty is accredited for the architectural elegance of the Shore Temple as a structural temple complex. The Cholas later built additional parts of the temple after it took over Mahabalipuram from the Pallavas.
In December 2004, The Tsunami that struck the coastline of Coromandel exposed an old collapsed temple and also some ancient rock sculptures that used to decorate walls and temples during the Pallava period. It is inferred that this temple complex was the last in a series of temples that is believed to have existed in the submerged coastline. Only a portion of the Shore Temple was damaged during the Tsunami that occurred in December 2004.
Legend behind the temple
Myth associates the temple with the famous story of Prahalada and his father King Hiranyakashipu. Prahalada was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. The King in his arrogance and rage dared to abuse the Lord and so was eventually killed by the Lord. According to the legend, Prahalada’s son Bali founded Mahabalipuram in this place.
Another myth goes on to state that the Gods caused floods to submerge a part of this temple and the city as they were envious of its architectural beauty.
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temple Structure
The Shore Temple complex encompasses three temples built on the same platform. The main Shore Temple with its chief deity Lord Shiva (in Lingam Form) faces east. This temple is five-storeyed and is built with sculpted granite stones.
The temple has three shrines – main and the second shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva while the third one dedicated to a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The entrance to the temple is from the western gateway through a barren vault Gopuram.
Other Prominent Features of the Temple
- The temple’s sanctum sanctorum having a small Mandapam, enshrines Lord Shiva, and is surrounded by a heavy outer wall with a small space in between for circumambulation.
- The other shrines found in the temple are that of Ksatriyasimmesvara, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga.
- Like the Vishnu shrine, the inner and outer walls around the two Shiva shrines include rich cultural depictions.
- The temple tower or Shikaras of the two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are octagonal in shape and have been built in the Dravidian style of architecture.
- The interior walls of the sanctum of the east facing Kshatriyasimhesvara temple features the Dharalinga and the Somaskanda panel.
- The outer walls of the Shore Temple also consist of artistic structures carved out of boulders, which have worn away in time due to its exposure to wind and water.
- At the entrance wall is a row of bulls representing Nandi (the holy vehicle of Lord Shiva).
- Shore temple stands as a background of the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival held in January/February every year.
- Shore Temple acts as a prominent landmark during the day grasping the first rays of the rising sun and was once believed to be a signal for navigation of ships at night.
- The temple does not involve active worship today but devotees can sometimes be seen worshipping and offering flowers to the deities.
- The temple structure is being conserved by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Significance of the Mahabalipuram Temple
The Shore temple marked an important transition from rock cut structures to free standing structural temple. It is a fine example of the Dravidian style of architecture. The significance of the Shore Temple also lies in the blend of religious harmony as it houses the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
How to reach Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram in Chengalpattu district is well connected through road to all major cities in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is at Chennai (around 55 kilometres away).
Epilogue
The Shore Temple is a perfect destination to explore if you are a lover of art and history. Soak in the beauty of the Shore Temple and the sea while you are in Mahabalipuram.
