[sumit patni]

Thanjavur Palace (Sivaganga Fort) was built by Thanjavur Nayaks. It is also known as "Thanjavur Aranmanai" by the people of Tamil Nadu. Today, the Thanjavur Palace Complex is a tourist attraction which houses 3 separate venues: the palace, the art Gallery and a manuscript library (Saraswathi Mahal). 

Thanjavur, the capital city of Cholas, is a flourishing city from the 7th century CE. At present there are two important forts namely Chinna Kottai (Little fort) and Periya Kottai (Big fort). Thanjavur Palace is situated within the Big Fort Complex. This fort was erected by the Vijayaraghava Nayakkar (1633-74 CE) who was the last king of Thanjai Nayak dynasty.

Main Monuments in the palace complex are Arsenal Tower (Koodagopuram), Bell Tower  (Maadamaaligai), Darbar hall of the Marathas and Sadar Madi ( Sarjah Madi). Other places are  Secret Chambers , Underground Tunnel, Royal Family's Temple, Baleen Whale Skeleton, etc.

For more details Visit Thanjavur Palace

[sumit patni]

Arsenal Tower is 190 feet height with eight storeys and was constructed in 1855 CE during the period of Marathas. It was used for storing weapons, armouries and ammunition, and was also serving as a watchtower.

[sumit patni]

Thanjavur Palace on the east main street is a series of large and rambling buildings of fine masonry, built partly by the Nayaks and partly by the Marathas. The entrance is by way of a large quandrangular courtyard. The encircling walls are pierced by big gateways to the north and east. The courtyard leads to a many-pillared hall. A small inner courtyard gives access to a large one.

On the southern side of the third quadrangle is a vimana like building, 190 feet high with eight storeys and it is the Goodagopuram. This was the palace watch tower and also the armoury of the Thanjavur Kings.

The Saraswathi Mahal Library has remarkable collection of about 30,433 sanskrit and other vernacular palm leaf manuscripts and 6,426 printed volumes, besides a large number of journals.

Madamaligai is the tower which rises from the palace roof beyond the Goodagopuram. It has six storeys.

The Sangita Mahal or the Music Hall is a miniature of the surviving court of Thirumalai Nayak's

http://www.tanjore.net/travel/royalpalace.htm