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Tamil Nadu

Saraswathi Mahal Library

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January

18.5 - 32.2 °C

February

19.0 - 35.6 °C

March

19.8 - 38.7 °C

April

22.2 - 40.4 °C

May

24.0 - 41.1 °C

June

23.1 - 41.2 °C

July

22.8 - 39.4 °C

August

22.5 - 38.7 °C

September

22.3 - 36.8 °C

October

22.8 - 35.5 °C

November

20.0 - 33.1 °C

December

19.1 - 31.2 °C


Major Airports :

Madurai International Airport (IXM), Madurai

Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ), Tiruchirappalli

Nearest Railway Station :

Thanjavur Railway Station (TJ)

Major Airports :

Madurai International Airport (IXM), Madurai

Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ), Tiruchirappalli

A testament to the remarkable

Located in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur, Saraswathi Mahal Library is also known as Tanjore Maharaj Serfoji’s Saraswathi Mahal Library. It accounts for one of Asia’s most ancient libraries featuring a rare collection of palm-leaf manuscripts. What makes it more incredible is its listing by Encyclopedia Britannica’s survey as 'the most remarkable libraries in India.'

The Saraswathi Mahal Library stands as a beacon of learning and culture, preserving centuries of knowledge and history within its walls. Established in the 16th century by the Nayak kings of Thanjavur, the library is not only one of the oldest in Asia but also houses a priceless collection of manuscripts, books, and artefacts that offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of India.

The Saraswathi Mahal Library is not just a repository of ancient learnings but a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India. Through its vast collection of manuscripts, books, and artefacts, the library offers a window into the intellectual and artistic achievements of the past, inspiring future generations to continue the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

Knowledge of the royals

Starting as Thanjavur’s Nayak king’s royal library, the Saraswathi Mahal Library is the hub of the region’s glorious past. Maratha rulers captured Thanjavur in 1675 and until 1855, the Royal Library was developed.

Serfoji, the most notable Maratha king of the region took special interest in enriching the culture of the Royal Library. He was an eminent scholar in several branches of arts and learning. It was German Reverent Schwartz who influenced Serfoji to develop a keen interest in studies. Serfoji employed several priests to collect, buy, and copy a humungous work from all renowned Sanskrit Centres of Northern India and other far-off areas.

Since 1918, the state of Tamil Nadu holds the possession of the Saraswathi Mahal Library. Officially, the library is named in remembrance of the Great Royal Maratha Patron.

The written treasure troves

One can witness the presence of rare collections of Palm-leaf manuscripts and papers in Hindi, Tamil, English, Marathi, Telugu, and a few other local languages that define India’s rich cultural and diverse heritage. The collection counts to some 60,000 units. Nevertheless, to make sure that people stay tuned to India’s rare manuscripts, one can see a lot of enthusiasm from the library for publishing support. These manuscripts and volumes are preserved in microfilms.

The majority of the manuscripts here are written in Sanskrit as Grantha, Nadinagari, Devanagari, Tamil, and Telugu reflecting titles for music, literature, and medicine. Besides, the library is also home to around 3076 Marathi manuscripts coming in straight from the South Indian Maharashtrians belonging to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Mostly, the Marathi manuscripts are on paper. However, few were later re-written on palm leaves in Telugu. The library also has 846 manuscripts mostly written on palm leaves, and 22 Persian and Urdu manuscripts belonging to the 19th-century collection. There’s a lot to dig in for the Ayurveda lovers as the library holds several medical records including case studies and interviews of the patients. These Ayurvedic manuscripts are available under the Dhanvantari section.


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A collection through time

The library building is home to a beautiful museum revealing how important the library should be to the public. Though the museum is small it is well organised into several sections. The sections represent ancient manuscripts, printed original drawings, illustrated manuscripts, atlases, Thanjavur’s special paper paintings, wooden paintings, canvas paintings, glass paintings, Thanjavur’s Maratha king’s portraits, etc. These varieties showcase the depth of the collection enclosed in the library.

Located inside the premises of Thanjavur Palace’s campus, the library offers outside seating areas for book lovers to grab a book of their choice and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. You can capture the joy of reading here while either grabbing your favourite book or adoring the beauty of the library building.

Beyond the library

Thanjavur (Tanjore) boasts a wealth of attractions beyond the Saraswati Mahal Library, showcasing the region's rich cultural and historical heritage. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as the Big Temple, stands out with its grand architecture. The Thanjavur Royal Palace complex houses several noteworthy sites, including the Art Gallery with its collection of sculptures and paintings, and the Raja Raja Chola Museum dedicated to the Chola dynasty. Other significant attractions include the colonial-era Schwartz Church, the serene Sivaganga Park, and the Tamil University campus with its extensive Tamil Research Library. These diverse sites collectively offer visitors a comprehensive glimpse into Thanjavur's artistic, architectural, and literary legacy.

Best time to visit

The Saraswathi Mahal Library is located near the famous Brihadeeswarar Temple. You can opt to commute by auto rickshaws and buses. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli Airport and the nearest railway station is Thanjavur.

The best time to visit the Saraswathi Mahal Library is during the winter months, from November to February, when the weather is cool and pleasant, making it ideal for exploring the library and the surrounding area.

It's also a good idea to avoid visiting during the monsoon season, from June to September, as the region receives heavy rainfall which can make travel difficult. Additionally, the library may be more crowded during peak tourist seasons, so visiting during the shoulder seasons of October and March-April can provide a more relaxed experience.

The library is open from 10 am to 1 pm and 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm. It remains closed on Wednesdays and govt. holidays.

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