Tamil nadu-HISTORY

The history of Tamil Nadu is very old and it is believed that human endeavour s to inhabit this area began as early as 300, 000 years ago. It is also suggested that the first Dravidians of Tamil country were part of the early Indus Valley settlers and moved south during the advent of Aryans around 1500 BC. However, the recorded history goes back only to the 4th century BC. There are references in the early Sangham literature to the social, economic and cultural life of people. The proximity to the sea established the Tamil Country on the maritime map of the world even before the dawn of Christian era. The Tamils were bonded through trade links with ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

History rewinds

Prior to the Christian era, the Cheras, Cholas and Pandias ruled Tamil Country. This was the golden period of Tamil literature, the Sangham Age that shadowed three centuries after Christ. The domains of these three dynasties changed many times over the centuries. At times other dynasties like Pallavas and Chalukyas came into power. All these dynasties engaged in continual skirmishes; but their steady patronage of arts served the expansion of Dravidian culture.

It is speculated that the early Dravidians were part of the Indus Valley Civilisation. However, with the coming of the Aryans, the Dravidians were pushed back into the deep south where they ultimately settled around 1500 BC. Excavations have revealed that the features of the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation bore a marked resemblance to that of this region.

Bastion of legacy

Tamil Nadu is famed for its rich tradition of literature , music and dance which are continuing to flourish today. It is one of the most industrialized states in India. Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu (as well as one of the official languages of India).

Tamil Nadu was carved from the old Madras State in the 1950s, when India re-drew some state lines according to language. State politics continue to have a lot to do with protecting and celebrating the Tamil (and Dravidian in general) language and culture

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Thanjavur-palace

The rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, Tanjavur is a bustling country town situated 55 kms east of Trichy. Tanjore, also known as Thanjavur, was the ancient capital of the Chola kings and later of the Tanjavur Nayaka and Maratha rulers. Tanjavur rose to glory, during the later Chola reign, between the 10th and 14th centuries, and became a centre of learning and culture. The Cholas, who were great patrons of art, built most of the 93 temples. It was the practice of the kings to donate part of their wealth to the temples, for spiritual gain, and the Chola kings lavished their wealth to build these as well as other temples nearby. Tanjore's crowning glory is the Brihadishwara temple built by Raja Raja. This is listed as a World Heritage site and is worth a visit.


Near the temple are huge masonry structure which were partly built by the Nayaks in 1550 and partly by the Marathas. The Tanjavur Palace, as it is Known, has huge halls, spacious corridors, observation & arsenal towers and a shady courtyard. Though many sections of the palace are in ruins restoration work has been taken up. The palace houses a library, a museum and an art gallery. The Royal museum displays many items from the kings who ruled the place in past. The eclectic collection of royal memorabilia can fascinate any visitor. The Royal cloths, hunting weapons, the head gears and many more such items are enough to catch the attention of any one. There are two Durbar halls where the rulers held public meetings. Though they have not been renovated, they are in good shape. The Nayak hall of the palace is occupied by the Art Gallery. This gallery has an excellent collection of artifacts from the Chola dynasty during the 8th and 9th century. The bronze and granite statues reflect the height of craftsmanship obtained during those days. The bell tower which was put under restoration work, has emerged very different from the rest of the structure after renovation. But it is worth going up the tower to have a good view of the surrounding area. Next to the art gallery is the Saraswathi Mahal Library with an amazing collection of manuscripts on palm leaves and paper. The library is not open for the public. But one can always go in the museum to have a look at the full Ramayana written on Palm leaf or a set of explicit prints of prisoners under Chinese torture.

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Valluvar Kottam

The memorial to the poet-saint Tiruvalluvar is shaped like a temple chariot and is, in fact, the replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. A life-size statue of the saint has been installed in the chariot which is 33m. tall.

The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief in the front hall corridors of the chariot. The auditorium at Valluvar Kottam is said to be the largest in Asia and can accommodate about 4000 people. It stands as a modern memorial to the great poet who represents the glorious culture of the Tamils.

Thirukkural, are inscribed on the granite pillars that surround the auditorium and it has got no pillars for support. There is a 101-feet high temple chariot structure with a life-size image of the poet in it. This chariot is a replica of the temple car of Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. The base of the chariot shows in bas-relief the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural. Over 3,000 blocks of stone were used to create this memorial to Tamil culture.

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falls in kodai

Silver cascade
This water fall is located on the main ghat road, 8 kms away as one approaches Kodai from Kodai Road. Overflow of Kodai lake takes 180 ft leap over a steepcliff, to crash into a pool beside the ghat Road.
Bear Shola Falls
An ideal picnic spot 1.6 km from bus stand and within 2 Kms off the lake, where once bears came to drink water. Hence the name of the falls became Bear Shola falls. Cross the lake bund, pass the Telephone exchange on your right, and at the junction take the lower road there comes Clifton Hotel. The approach is rugged hill path. The falls are at the best in rainy season.
Pambar FallsPambar Falls
"Grand cascade" is another name for this magnificent falls. It can be reached by a steep, precipitous path behind Pambar house. Racing down Pambar Raivine is Zig-zagging leving stream that cascades over a series of rock formations. It is 4kms away from Kodaikana
Thalaiyar Falls
This is also called as Rat tail falls.The widest falls, ranging from 13th kilometer on the ghat road to kodai.It is one of the highest falls in India, with their 975ft sheer drop.

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Brihadeshwara temple

TThanjavur a city of temples, thrived as the ancient capital of the Chola kings.
Later it was part of the Marathas and Nayaks kingdoms. It was at the height of its glory during the Chola period between the 10th and the 14th century and became a great centre of learning and culture. It is also known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.

Of the many temples Brihadeshwara temple is world famous temple. This temple was built during the period of Raja Raja I, around the 10th century. . Most of the Chola emperors were great patrons of art and architecture. During the period of Cholas, the Dravidian culture reached the height of its glory. The Brihadeshwara temple is built in Dravidian style. Brihadeshwara is a gigantic lingam cut in a monolithic rock is about 8.7mtrs height. There is a huge Nandi within the vincity of the temple. It is the second largest monolithic Nandi in the country. Apart from these, there are excellent sculptures of Lord Siva in different forms, Gods and Goddesses, several Paintings of Chola. The dome of the temple rests on a single granite rock which resembles Egyptian pyramids The stone carvings on the walls of the temple depict the influence of Shivaism, Buddhism and Vaishnavism
An art Gallery contains some magnificent granite, stone and b
ronze statues from the 9th-12th centuries and the Saraswati Mahal library established around the 17th century contains a collection of over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages

Other places of visit near Tanjore famous for their huge and impressive temples are Kumbakonam, Thiruvaiyaru, Thirukandiyur, Thiruvarur and Gangaikondacholapuram

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