Thanjavur district stands unique from time immemorial for its agricultural activities and rightly acclaimed as `the Granary of the South India'. Lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and criss-crossed by lengthy network of irrigation canals, this coastal district abounds in green paddy fields, tall coconut groves, vast gardens of mango and plantain trees and other verdant vegetations. Various testimonies available in the ancient Tamil literature referring to the Cauvery as possessing the sanctity of the Ganges in conformity with the legendary and mythological stories attributed to it's divine origin, rightly point out why the river is popularly called the `Mother Cauvery' and it's sacredness is evident from `Kaviri-Thala-Puranam'. The river has also been named `Ponni' because it is yielding `Pon'-Gold in the form of paddy. That is why it is said with pride that every iota of the earth of Thanjavur is equal to an iota of gold. The tillers in Tamil literature have been rightly called as `Kavirippudhalvars'-the sons of the Cauvery, as they alone are worthy of this title for the rich production of grains in this fertile soil. It is no wonder therefore that at the very threshold of the district itself, one can feel the distinguish green vegetation and call Thanjavur as `the green mansion' of the South. With an average annual rice yield, roughly about one- third of the total rice yield of Tamil Nadu, the district tops all the other districts of India in the production of rice and remarked as `the rice bowl of India'. The district is famous for its exquisite ancient handicrafts - the making of bronze icons, Thanjavur art plates, bell-metal castings, bowls, napkin and powder boxes of metal with beautiful and artistic in-laying and engraving work of motifs well-known as `Tanjore swami work'. It is equally well-known for pith-work, ornamental fans, mats and making of musical instruments of jackwood. It is also a flourishing centre of handloom silk and cotton saris. The `Kattadi' silk saris of Koranad are renowned and in demand throughout the State. The Thanjavur district, with vast expanse of rice-fields and fruit gardens, is one of the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. It extends to an area of 3603 sq. kms. bounded on the north by Perambalur Thiruvalluvar district and on the west by Perumidugu Mutharayar district. it is flanked on the south by the district of Pudukkottai and the Palk Strait while on the east by Nagappattinam-Quaid-E- Milleth district. The district take its name from Thanjavur town which is the seat of the district administration.

COMMUNICATIONS 

There is neither any national highways passing through the district nor it is directly passing through the district nor it is directly linked with the State capital by air. The nearest airport is at tiruchirappalli at a distance of 65 km. Thanjavur town is however an important meter-gauge railway junction and is not linked with any broad gauge railway line so far. The meter-gauge rail links is direct with Madras and other neighbouring towns in the State served by the metregauge line. The district has a good network of roads.

TOURISM 

The Cholas of Thanjavur (9th to 12th century) were not only great conquers but also mighty builders, who erected a large number of temples in their empire, some of which constitute the finest historical monuments and specimens of South Indian architecture. Although they inherited the traditional architectural skills of the pallavas, yet the edifices erected during their time reflect the unique glory and genius of their authors. Koccengen, Aditya I, Rajaraja I, Rajendra are some of the well known Chola rulers who showed a keen zeal in the religious sphere and have left lasting monuments of their greatness to posterity. They encouraged fine arts in the service of these temples like the sculpture, painting, wood carving, music and dance. The sculptures, the paintings and the inscriptions in the passages of the sanctums in elegant Chola Grantha and Tamil letters portray to what extent the great arts had flourished especially under Rajaraja I (985-1014). 'With a colossal effort, paralleled only by the ancient Egyptian Kings, he built the most magnificent temple of Rajarajeswara at Thanjavur, the finest specimen of Tamil architecture.' The temple is remarkable for it's stupendous proportions and bold simplicity of design and continues to remain a historical monument of glory and a spiritual solace. There are numerous shrines of religious and historical importance in the district. Among these, some selected ancient temples are briefly described in the sub-joined paragraphs. Sri Adikumbeswaraswamy temple is an ancient shrine of all India importance of Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam was the capital of Chola Kings in 7th century A.D. and is a well known pilgrim centre for both Saivites and Vaishnavites. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Adi Kumbeswara and his consort is Sri Mangalambigai. The temple was in existence even in the 7th century A.D. It was built by a Chola King and the temple building itself would seem to have been extended and improved by the Nayak rulers. The temple, covers an area of more than 4 acres and bears stone inscriptions. Lord Kumbeswara is a Swayambu lingam; Sri Mangalambigai is in standing pose. On a single block of stone in the Navarathri mandapam all the twenty-seven stars and twelve 'Rasis' have been carved out. Of the festivals celebrated almost every month, the Makham festival in the month of Masi (February-March) is the most important. Once in 12 years the Mahamakham festival is celebrated when lakhs of pilgrims from far and wide worship in full reverence and take a bath in the holy Theertham, the Mahamakham tank. The temple is managed by a Board of three honorary trustees and a paid Executive Officer appointed under the provisions of a scheme of administration settled by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board. The ancient shrine of Sri Sarangapani- 10th swamy at Kumbakonam is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was built more than a thousand years ago. Sri Komalavalli Thayar are the presiding deities of the temple. The shrine of the Lord has been designed to look like a chariot with wheels and horses. The temple covers an area of over three acres and has a pagoda and two prakaras. The Chithrai and Thai Brahmothsavam, Vasantha Uthsavam, Pavithra Uthsavam, Navarathri, Margazhi Adhyayana Uthsavam and the floating festival in the month of panguni are the regular festivals, observed every year, of which the Chithirai and Thai Brahmothsavam are the most important; these attract thousand of devotees from the neighbouring villages and towns. The temple is managed by a Board of Five Trustees and an Executive Officer, appointed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board. The Brihadiswarar temple at Thanjavur known as the Big temple is the most ambitious of the architectural enterprises of the Cholas and is a fitting symbol of the magnificent achievements of Rajaraja. True to his surname 'Sivapadasekhara' Rajaraja spared nothing for embellishing and endowing the great temple. The temple has been constructed of granite, mostly of large blocks. It was a colossal task, the plinth of the central shrine is 45.72 sq.m. and the shrine proper 30-48 sp.m. The most striking feature of this shrine is its imposing Vimanam, which rises perpendicularly from a square base to a height of 60.96 m. The stone constituting the huge 'Sikhara' is said to weigh 81.28 tonnes and was raised to its present height by being dragged on an inclined plane of 6.44 Km. length. The big Nandhi made of a single stone is about 2 m. high, 6 m. in length and 2.5 m. in width and weighs roughly 20 tonnes. The presiding deity is 7 m. high. The priests have to mount up a ladder for archanai and abishekam. The Rajaraja being a great warrior and conqueror, glorified the theme of Tripuvartaka, the mighty warrior god. In the sanctum by the side of the mighty lingam is the copper idol of His consort. There is a separate sanctum for the consort Sri Brihannayaki. The Subramanya temple in the outer prakaram, built by the Nayak rulers is an example of delicate but brilliant carvings. The sculptural decoration of the tower is very pleasing to look at. To the south of the shrine of Sri Brihannayaki is the sanctum of Sri Natarajar and Sri Sivakamasundari; both the idols are made of Copper. The highest achievement in plastic art in the Chola period is revealed in the fine series of the one hundred and eight dance poses carved all around the inner walls of the first floor of the temple. These form an invaluable document in the history of Indian art. The important festivals that are celebrated in the temple are the Brahmothsavam in Chithirai, Sivarathri, Arudhara Darshanam. Thai Poosam, Masi Magham, Skanda Shasti, Panguni Uthiram and Vinayaga Chathurthi. The temple is under the administration of the Tanjore place Devasthanam. The hereditary trustee is assisted in the administration by the Treasurer and Manager appointed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Madras. The district is also famous for a few Muslim shrines which are thronged by thousands of devotees who come in full faith to evoke the blessings of the saints entombed there. One such shrine where Saint Shekih Alauddin Sahib is entombed is located at Atriampattinam, a small port living about 13 kms. South-east of Pattukkottai. The annual Kandoori festival is held at the tomb and is largely attended to. Two famous 'dargas' situated in the village of Sambavanodai attract annually thousands of Muslims from all over the State. The most renowned of all these is the 'darga' at Nagore of Saint Shah-Ul-Hamid popularly known as Miran Sahib who was also honoured by the rulers of Thanjavur. The Saint was born about 500 years ago at a place known as Manikapore. He is said to have possessed miraculous spiritual powers. In Autumn every year, the annual kandoori festival is celebrated to commemorate the day of his death anniversary. On the occasion, thousands of devotees visit the darga in full reverence and evoke the blessings of the saint for getting their vows and wishes fulfilled. The devotees include a good number of persons following other faiths. Apart from the selected religious places of historical importance out lined in the preceding paragraphs, other places of interest for the tourists are Saraswathi Mahal library and Art Gallery, Sangeetha Mahal. The Sarabhoji Maharaja palace in Thanjavur is a vast building of architecrural grandeour built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 A.D. and partly by the Marathas. It is a grand pile of buildings with huge corridors and spacious halls. The palace houses the Saraswathi Mahal library, which has rare collection of ancient books and manuscripts on a variety of subjects in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and other European languages. Among other books, library is famous or 10000 priceless rare collection of palm leaf and paper manuscripts. In all there are more than 30000 manuscripts in the library. The two Durbar halls and their surrounding portions of the Mahal now house the Thanjavur Arts Gallery which was inaugurated in 1951. The Arts Gallery contains a good collection of granite and bronze images and stone sculptures which provide an insight into the rich cultural and historical heritage of Thanjavur especially of Chola period. In the palace, another place worth seeing is the Sangeetha Mahal, an acoustically perfect music hall. It is a striking example of the engineering skill of it's ancient builders.

INDUSTRIES

 The major portion of Thanjavur district is covered by Cauvery alluvium and reported to have potential mineral wealth. Vallam stones, laterite, sandstone, kankar and yellow aochre have been reported from this district. Quartz crystals rolled into pebbles occur in the Tertiary formations. In the neighbourhood of Vallam, iron ore is found to exist. Vallam and Gandarva- kottai areas in Thanjavur taluk yield laterite of fine quality. Pebbles of transpatent quartz occur in the conglomeratic sandstones near Vallam. These are of the amethystine citrine and smoky varieties. Similar pebbles occur west of Techchan-gurichchi village, about 30 Km., south-west of Thanjavur. Kankar and tuffaceoues limestones occur under red soil laterite ranging in the thickness from 0.3 to 1.0 m. Kankar layers are also noticed in stream sections. The important occurrences are seen on the Grand Anicut canal cutting between Kuruvadipatti and Pudur and also in the neighbourhood of Tirumalai Samudram. The thickness of kankar in Tirumalai Samudram area ranges from 2 to 2.5 metres and the total reserves have been estimated to be bout 0.5 million tonnes. The kankar is of good quality, coal ranging from 48.42 to 52.72 per cent are low in magnesia and silica contents.