The
Marathas ruled over parts of Tanjavur region between the 16th and the
19th centuries. They have greatly influenced the architecture, sculpture,
painting, dance, music and theatre traditions of Tanjavur. Unfortunately,
the Maratha history and art of Tanjavur has, till now, been poorly documented
and appreciated. The proposed tour entitled ‘Maratha Tour’ provides
a rare glimpse of the Maratha heritage of Tanjavur.
Tour Schedule:
Day 1: Departure from Madras to Tanjavur. Enroute stop for Lunch at
Kumbakonam. Evening at Leisure.
Day 2: Forenoon: Visit to Brhadeesvara Temple,Tanjavur- mainly the Maratha
mandapas, sculptures and paintings in the temple.
Maratha lunch.
Afternoon: Maratha Palace with its arsenal tower, bell tower, Durbar halls,
royal costumes, library. Meeting members of the Maratha royal family.
Visit to Maratha royal graveyard.
Evening: Heritage walk along the Maratha public buildings of Tanjavur
town.
Maratha dinner.
Day 3::Forenoon:Visit to Manora, a unique 8-storey tower erected by Sarfoji
II Maratha
in honour of the English victory over Napoleon Bonaparte. This is the
only extant victory tower in honour of the English outside Europe. The
tower is an engineering marvel. Hidden behind overgrown jungles- unsung,
unvisited. Packed lunch in Manora,
Visit to Maratha chattrams at Sethubavachattram and Orathanad en route
from Manora to Tanjavur. The Orthanad chattram is the largest Maratha
chattram. It is chariot-shaped and exhibits wall paintings and wood carvings.
Late afternoon/evening: Craft demonstration- mirror and wood craft of
the Marathas. Followed by a Maratha music programme {the music programme
is subject to confirmation).
Tanjavur dinner
Day 4:Forenoon: To Thiruvaiyaru : viewing the Maratha bridges across rivers
Vennar, Vettar, Vadavar, Kudamurutti and Kaveri; At Thiruvaiyaru: Kalyana
Mahal Chattram, Pushyamandapa, Maratha
Secondary Palace, Pigeon Houses, Agraharam house of Saint Thyagaraja and
the Vithoba Temple which is a miniature replica of the famous Vithoba
Temple in Pandarpur, Maharashtra.
Tanjavur Lunch
Afternoon: Shopping
( for Maratha handicrafts)
Evening; Visit
to Maratha houses in Kamakshi Agraharam, Tanjavur (including the house
of Shyama Sastri, the famous composer) Maratha Farewell dinner
Day 5: Depart
for Chennai in the morning.
Each tour takes
them like a 'Time Machine' to a bygone era. Throughout the tour, the participants
see buildings/sites related to that historical dynasty/period, visit museums/libraries
having artefacts/paintings of that period, listen to music of that age,
eat the food that those people ate, if possible (as in the case of the
Tanjavur Marathas) have a half-hour informal interview with a member of
that royal dynasty(with prior appointment), witness dance/drama performances
related to that age, witness the demonstration of a traditional craft
(such as bronze icon making or the bell-metal craft) relating to that
period. Thus each tour is a multi-faceted tour involving coordination
between different agencies. This is what makes these tours special.
For
latest package tariff
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