Saraswathi Mahal Library, also called Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji's Saraswathi Mahal Library, is a library located within the Thanjavur palace complex — and one of the oldest libraries in Asia.
A library of kings
Begun under the Nayak rulers of Thanjavur, the library was greatly enriched by the Maratha ruler Serfoji II, a scholar-king with a keen interest in medicine, music and science.
Its collection includes palm-leaf and paper manuscripts in Tamil, Sanskrit, Marathi, Telugu and other languages, alongside European books. A small museum displays some of its treasures to visitors.
Around the palace
- The art gallery, with a fine collection of Chola-era bronze sculptures.
- Durbar halls with painted ceilings, arches and ornate pillars.
- The Sangeetha Mahal, a music hall built with acoustics in mind.
Take home a piece of Thanjavur
Thanjavur is famous for two crafts: Thanjavur paintings, with their rich colours and gold-leaf detail, and the Thanjavur dolls known as thalaiyatti bommai — nodding-head dolls that rock gently at a touch. Both make memorable souvenirs.
Planning your visit
Allow two to three hours to see the library and the main halls at an easy pace. Different sections can have separate tickets and timings, so check locally before you go. The palace is a short drive from the hotel.
