Saraswati Mahal Library, Thanjavur - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit
#17 of 22 Places to Visit in Thanjavur
Distance (From Thanjavur Junction Railway Station): 2 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less
Place Location: Inside Thanjavur Palace
Transportation Options: Walk/Trek
Travel Tips: This place is located within Thanjavur Palace
At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station & 0.5 km from Old Bus Station, Saraswati Mahal Library is located within Thanjavur Palace in front of Royal Museum. This library has one of the most important oriental manuscripts collections, in India.
Established around 1700 AD, the library contains a collection of over 44,000 palm leaf, and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages. Over eighty per cent of its manuscripts are in Sanskrit, many on palm leaves, some very rare or even unique. The Tamil works includes treatises on medicine, and commentaries on works from the Sangam period.
The library is wonderfully decorated with color paintings in the exterior and interior walls and ceiling. The upper section of the front side wall has an image of Goddess Saraswathi.
Timings: 10 AM to 1 PM & 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM
