Thanjavur Palace

Thanjavur Maratha Palace

At the heart of Thanjavur town lies the majestic Thanjavur Maratha Palace also known as Thanjavur Palace, once the dwelling of the Bhonsle family, former rulers of Tanjore from 1674 to 1855. Originally built by the Nayaks and known as Aranmanai, the palace later came under Maratha rule after their triumph over the Nayaks.

Today, the Department of Archaeology preserves the palace’s historical significance, safeguarding its remarkable monuments. Construction of the palace commenced in 1534 under Sevappa Nayak’s reign, concluding in 1535 when it was named “Sivagangai Fort.” The Marathas expanded the complex, holding control until the British annexed it in 1799.

The grand Thanjavur Palace encompasses eight distinct sections, including the Royal Palace Museum, Serfoji Memorial Hall, Darbar hall, Saraswathi Mahal Library, The Art Gallery, Bell Tower, Sangeet Mahal, and Sarjah Madi. As visitors pass through the main gate, they can conveniently obtain entry tickets and camera fees at the ticket counter, with separate counters for the Royal Palace Museum and Serfoji Memorial Hall access.

• Of all sections of the Royal Palace, the must visit sections are the Saraswati Mahal Library Museum and the Art Gallery. Especially for the avid readers, Saraswati Mahal is sure to leave you in awe.
• The Mahratta Dharbar Hall, a section in the Royal Palace, is adorned with some fantastic art of the past and those seeking to learn about Indian art, should definitely step in here.
• History scholars and history buffs are sure to gain a massive amount of knowledge and information from the Royal Palace. So do not forget to take your notes here.

Timings

The Royal Palace welcomes visitors every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a closure during lunch hours. Please note that the palace remains closed on public holidays.

Entry Fee

General Entry Fee: Rs. 30

Still Camera Fee: Rs. 30

Video Camera Fee: Rs. 300

Availability of Guides

Guides and other officials of the Royal Palace are available. They have a great deal of information to be shared and all history buffs should make the most of this. 

The Royal Palace is open on all days except public holidays. One can visit the place anytime of the year. December to May are however the months of priority.

How to Reach Thanjavur Palace

Thanjavur is located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu and is well-connected to other cities. For commuting within the state, local buses are available in plenty, and it is easy to reach Thanjavur. Thanjavur also has direct buses from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ernakulam. Trichy junction is the nearest railway station to Thanjavur. You can then reach Royal Palace by taking the buses or a taxi. The nearest airport to Thanjavur is the Trichy International Airport. After landing here, one can make their way to the Thanjavur’s Royal Palace by taxi or bus.

1. By Air: The closest airport is Tiruchirappalli Airport.
2. By Rail: Thanjavur serves as the nearest railhead.
3. By Road: Thanjavur Old Bus Stand is conveniently located about 950 meters (1038 yards) away from Maratha Palace. It is approximately 6.9 km (4.2 mi) from Thanjavur New Bus Stand and around 58 km (36 mi) from Trichy.

Nearby Attractions of Thanjavur Palace

• Brihadeeswara Temple
• Sukkiran Temple
• Ramaswamy Temple
• Thiruvanajozhi Temple
• Schwartz Church
• Vellai Pulliar Temple
• Sivaganga Garden
• Apatsahayesvarar Temple

Nearby Restaurants

• Hotel Vasantha Bhavan
• Sree Ariya Bhavan
• Karthik Restaurant
• Hotel Thangm Chettinadu
• Hotel Gnanam
• Diamond Restaurant
• Thevar’s Biriyani
• Sathars
• Aaharam
• Nandhis Restaurant