Tanjore became a major cultural center during the 18th & 19th centuries, under the Maratha rule.
Thanjavur is one of the chief political, literary and religious centers of southern India, known for its contribution to Carnatic music, it has produced many classical musicians and Bharathanatyam dancers.
Tanjore is well known for bronze sculptures and its unique painting style called Tanjore Painting, a percussion instrument called the Thavil, a divine classical string instrument Veenai and the Bobblehead Thanjavur Dolls.
40 km away you will enjoy Kumbakonam known as the "temple town" due to the prevalence of a number of temples here and is noted for its Mahamaham festival which attracts people from all over the globe. Darasuram located 3 kilometers from Kumbakonam is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century AD. The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument
