Saraswathi Mahal Library — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Saraswathi Mahal Library, also called Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji's Saraswathi Mahal Library is a library located in Thanjavur (Tanjore), Tamil Nadu, India.It is one of the oldest libraries in Asia established during 16th century by Nayakas of Thanjavur and has on display a rare collection of Palm leaf manuscripts and paper written in Tamil and Sanskrit and a few other languages indigenous to India.The collection comprises well over 49,000 volumes, though only a tiny fraction of these are on display. The library has a complete catalog of holdings, which is being made available online. Some rare holdings can be viewed on site by prior arrangement.Encyclopedia Britannica mentions the library as the "Most remarkable library of India".The Saraswathi Mahal library was started by Nayak Kings of Tanjavur as a Royal Library for the private intellectual enrichment of Kings and their family of Thanjavur (see Nayaks of Tanjore) who ruled from 1535 CE till 1676 CE.The Maratha rulers who captured Thanjavur in 1675 promoted local culture and further developed the Royal Palace Library until 1855. Most notable among the Maratha Kings was Serfoji II (1798–1832), who was an eminent scholar in many branches of learning and the arts. In his early age Sarfoji studied under the influence of the German Reverent Schwartz, and learned many languages including English, French, Italian and Latin. He enthusiastically took special interest in the enrichment of the Library, employing many Pandits to collect, buy and copy a vast number of works from all renowned Centres of Sanskrit learning in Northern India and other far-flung areas.During 1918 the Saraswathi Mahal Library was open to public.The Library is located within the campus of Tanjavur palace.Efforts were made to microfilm and catalogue the contents way back in 1965 when Indira Gandhi was Information and Broadcasting Minister, Government of India who sanctioned the fund for the library's development. Since then no efforts were made to scan the documents and computerise the same using present day technology. It is also a designated 'Manuscript Conservation Centre' (MCC) under the National Mission for Manuscripts...

Saraswati Mahal Library in Thanjavur is a treasure trove of knowledge and history, making it a must-visit for book lovers and history enthusiasts. Established during the Nayak and Maratha periods, this library houses an extensive collection of ancient manuscripts, rare books, and palm leaf inscriptions in various languages, including Tamil, Sanskrit, and Telugu.

The library is well-maintained and offers a serene and scholarly atmosphere. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, providing valuable insights into the rich history and significance of the collection. The museum section within the library showcases fascinating artifacts, including old maps, paintings, and historical documents, offering a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the region.

One of the highlights is the collection of rare manuscripts, which are meticulously preserved and displayed. The library also has a reading room where visitors can browse through some of the rare books and manuscripts.

Photography is not allowed inside, so be prepared to soak in the experience without capturing it on camera. The library is easily accessible and has ample parking space. Visiting hours are limited, so it's advisable to check the timings before...

Timing 📌 10 am–1 pm 1:30–5:30 pm

The royal objects that are on display in the museum include royal clothing, headgear and hunting weapons. On the upper floor is a skeleton of a 92-feet whale that washed ashore near Tranquebar in 1955.

Thanjavur Palace has the famous Saraswathi Mahal library, an art gallery and the Royal Museum with an interesting collection of artifacts, paintings, books and other memorabilia.

The paintings in the Darbar Hall retell the stories from the epic Ramayana. The walls and ceilings are covered with detailed stucco figures of gods and goddesses

Saraswathi Mahal Library - Tanjore

One of Asia's oldest libraries is this one. There are over 60,000 volumes in the collection, although only few of them are on display

It is one of the few remaining mediaeval libraries in the world constructed by Nayak and Thanjavur Maratha rulers. More than 49,000 manuscripts, both on paper and on palm leaves, are kept in this library. The manuscripts are of diverse languages like Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and...