This book is a fascinating study of the cultural history of Thanjavur-starting
from its early days of grandeur during the Chola Empire when the Chola ruler
Raja Raja I built the Rajarajeswaram temple, now known as the Brihadeeswara
temple, which celebrated its 1000th year of consecration in 2010. It weaves
together known and unknown histories of the various rulers-the Cholas, the
Nayaks, the Marathas and the British-and of the Big Temple into a rich tapestry
of cultural heritage that is Thanjavur. The historical stories presented in
Thanjavur reveal to the reader the treasure house of the Sarasvati Mahal Library
and lead them into the narrow lanes, or