Thanjavur Maratha Palace
தஞ்சாவூர் அரண்மனை
A palace complex of the Nayak and Maratha dynasties, housing the Chola Bronze Gallery, a clock tower, and a music hall. It's the perfect first stop for learning Thanjavur's history.
Thanjavur Maratha Palace was founded in the 16th century under the Nayak dynasty and expanded under the Maratha dynasty in the 17th to 19th centuries. It is a complex of brick courtyards, towers, and halls. The highlight is the Thanjavur Art Gallery inside the palace, which holds 9th- to 12th-century Chola bronzes, including the famous Nataraja (Dancing Shiva), a world-class masterpiece. Other attractions include a clock tower with views over the city, the Maratha royal audience hall, the Sangeetha Mahal music hall, and the Royal Museum. Each gallery sells separate tickets, totaling several hundred rupees, and cameras cost extra. The palace is about 5 minutes by taxi from the Big Temple and can be visited together with the Saraswati Mahal Library.
Opening hours
approx. 09:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Saraswathi Mahal Library
- Schwartz Church
- Brihadisvara Temple
- Punnainallur Mariamman Temple
- Aiyarappar Temple, Thiruvaiyaru
- Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai
- Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram
- Adi Kumbeswarar Temple