Royal Palace Museum — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Thanjavur Royal Palace Museum is one of the ancient museums in the town which holds ancient items, images, paintings, sculptures. The most important fact is that this museum gives every detail about the earlier period. The paintings of the old Chola age, the sculptures and the statues of the Pallava dynasty and Chola dynasty enrich the place and Chola dynasty enrich the place and make it significant.Thanjavur is an important tourist destination that attracts thousands of tourists every year. The rich heritage can be seen in the huge collection of the antiques, images, paintings and art in the museum. The idols and the old sculptures from the age old temples like Brihadeshwara Temple and Gangaikondacholapuram Temple decorate the museum and allow the tourists to get an idea of the past.Apart from the stone work, there are bronze sculptures. The metal sculptures of the Chola dynasty and Nayak dynasty, the idols of Hindu god and goddess give the tourists a feel of the religious background of the by gone days. The ancient work of art, the glass paintings are the most attractive features of the museum. The sculpture of ‘Bhikshatanamurti’ popularly known as Shiva in his different form as a beggar is an uncommon statue of Hindu God. The image of Shiva and Parvati at the time of their marriage can be seen in the museum. Apart from these main images there are sculptures, statues and paintings of other Hindu God and goddess. The gallery of the sculptures only holds the statues from Pallava, Chola, Nayak and Pandya periods. There are house hold images that that depict the life of the common people of the age. They show the social picture of the age. The societies, the interiors of the houses of the age are displayed in this museum.The wooden furniture and the intricate wooden work show the heritage and background of art and crafts of Thanjavur. The colorful paintings, the jewelry, costumes and reflect the lifestyle of the people of that age and are displayed for the visitors. The Royal Palace museum, Thanjavur is centrally located and is accessible by the tourist with the help of any mode of...

This is situated in the Sardar Mahal part of the Thanjavur Palace Complex . At present , The Ticket gives entry only to Saraswathi Mahal Library , The Art Gallery and a Documentary film show . The famous and fabulously photogenic Durbar Hall is closed for renovation , but this fact is not divulged at the ticket counter . Moreover , there is another so called “palace /royal museum’’ on a first floor , which is just an old hall with crumbling plaster , filled with dusty knick-knacks of no great value . Very disappointing , but a separate charge of 5 rupee is demanded for this ! The documentary film show in the mini theater at the entrance of Saraswathi Mahal serves as a primer to the history and culture of Thanjavur .

SARASWATHI MAHAL library is WONDERFUL with many rare and interesting manuscripts collected by the Thanjavur Maratha Kings . Photography is strictly prohibited here and the supervisor gets quite nasty even if a person is seen holding a mobilephone in hand ! The ART GALLERY Section has a GREAT COLLECTION of exquisite Stone and Bronze icons , ranging from 8th Century to 19th Century . (Rs50 is charged for the Photography Permit and it is issued only at the main Ticketing Counter ) The above two deserve 5 Stars.

Just outside the art gallery is the tall watch tower . A local handicraft showroom is located on the first floor of the arcade on the opposite side . There are chairs for resting in the porch of Saraswathi Mahal. (The ceiling of this porch is colourful and decorative.)Some publications of the Library , majorly in Tamil , with a few in English and Hindi, are available here .

Unfortunately , the overall impression is marred by the poor upkeep of the surroundings , with trash and construction junk piled up here and there . Except for one nice person , I found all staff working here unhelpful , unfriendly and disinterested . This is no way to run a wonderful place so close to a World Heritage Site that draws visitors from all over the world.

The “Pay and Use” toilet...

The Royal Palace Museum in Thanjavur (Tanjore) is a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the Maratha dynasty and the cultural heritage of the region.

Location & Accessibility Address:Near the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Getting There: Easily accessible by auto-rickshaw or taxi from the city center.

Highlights of the Visit Historical Significance The palace was built by the Nayak rulers in the 16th century and later expanded by the Maratha kings (like Serfoji II). Served as the royal residence and administrative center.

Architecture & Sections Saraswathi Mahal Library: One of the oldest libraries in Asia, housing rare palm-leaf manuscripts, ancient books, and European atlases. Durbar Hall: A grand hall where kings held court, adorned with Belgian mirrors and intricate carvings. Art Gallery: Displays an impressive collection of Chola bronzes, stone sculptures, and Maratha-era paintings. Royal Armory: Exhibits weapons, armor, and cannons used by the Maratha rulers.

Museum Collections Maratha-era artifacts(coins, jewelry, utensils). Rare manuscripts(some in Sanskrit, Tamil, and Persian). Portraits of Serfoji II and other rulers. Pros. Rich historical ambiance with well-preserved artifacts. The Saraswathi Mahal Library is a treasure trove for history buffs. Affordable entry fee (around ₹20-50 for Indians, ₹200 for foreigners). Less crowded compared to the Brihadeeswarar Temple.

Cons: Some sections need better maintenance. Limited English descriptions for artifacts. Photography restrictions in certain areas.

Tips for Visitors Best Time to Visit:Morning or late afternoon to avoid heat. Timings: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Fridays & national holidays). Entry Fee:Nominal (around ₹20-50 for Indians). Photography:Allowed in most areas (may require extra fee).

A must-visit for history lovers, though it could improve in maintenance and information displays. The Saraswathi Mahal Library alone makes it...