Thanjavur- Big Temple Festival

Darasuram is a town located near the city of Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is renowned for the Airavatesvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Great Living Chola Temples. The Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century during the Chola dynasty's rule. The temple is an architectural masterpiece and is known for its intricate carvings, exquisite sculptures, and ornate design. The temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture, which is characterized by pyramid-shaped towers (vimanas), intricate sculptures, and elaborate ornamentation. The Airavatesvara Temple, along with the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur, is part of the "Great Living Chola Temples" and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple complex features a Nandi (sacred bull) mandapam, which is notable for its life-sized sculptures and intricate detailing. The walls of the temple are adorned with numerous sculptures depicting various deities, celestial beings, and scenes from Hindu mythology. The exquisite craftsmanship and artistic details make it a significant cultural and historical site. The temple is known for its inscriptions that provide valuable information about the musical traditions of the Chola period. These inscriptions are an important historical and cultural record. Darasuram is situated about 3 kilometers west of Kumbakonam, a well-known temple town in Tamil Nadu. The town is easily accessible from Thanjavur and serves as a popular destination for those interested in exploring the cultural and architectural heritage of the region. The Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram attracts tourists, history enthusiasts, and devotees who appreciate the historical and architectural significance of the Chola temples. The Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram stands as a testament to the architectural brilliance and cultural richness of the Chola dynasty.​

The city of Pazhayarai was one of the capital towns of the Chola empire. The temple is a part of the series of temples built by Aditya Chola along the banks of river Cauvery to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam battle. Sri Vimalanayaki along with Sri Dharmapureeswarar grace the temple at Vadathali. This temple is also known as Vallalar Koil and it is considered as one of the “Vaippu Sthalams”. This is a Madakkoil built by king Kochengat Cholan. It is believed that once this temple was closed and buried under the ground by some Jains (Samanar). When Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) had come to Pazhayarai, he realized that something was unusual about Vadathali. When he enquired the local people, he was told that the temple in the village was hidden under the ground by the Jains. He then started fasting (“Sathyagraham”) here in order to find the location of the Shivalingam. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the dream of the local Chola king Manimudi Devan and told him to assist Appar. The temple and the Shivalingam were found and re-established for worship.​​

The Saraswathi Mahal Library is situated within the premises of the Thanjavur Maratha Palace in the heart of Thanjavur. The library has a long and illustrious history, dating back to the Nayak period in the 16th century. It was later enriched and expanded under the Maratha rule in the 17th century, particularly during the reign of Serfoji II. The library was established by the Nayak rulers and further developed by subsequent rulers, including the Marathas. The Maratha kings played a significant role in augmenting the collection of manuscripts and books. Saraswathi Mahal Library is known for its extensive collection of manuscripts, books, and artifacts. It houses a diverse range of materials in various languages, including Sanskrit, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, and others. The library is particularly renowned for its vast collection of ancient manuscripts on subjects such as literature, philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and more. Some of the manuscripts are rare and valuable. In addition to manuscripts, the library also preserves rare printed books, many of which are considered priceless due to their historical and literary significance.The library is organized into different sections, each dedicated to specific subjects or types of materials. The sections include the Manuscript Section, the Rare Books Section, the Rajarajan Collection, and more. While the library is a valuable resource for researchers and scholars, it is also open to the public. Visitors can explore the library and view some of its treasures. Saraswathi Mahal Library is an integral part of Thanjavur's cultural heritage and represents the intellectual richness of the region. The library is under the administration of the Tamil Nadu Government. Efforts are made to preserve and maintain the priceless collection, and ongoing initiatives focus on digitization to ensure the conservation of manuscripts.​