Tanjore

Thanjavur (popularly called Tanjore), in Tamil Nadu, stands as a glorious tribute to the Dravedian Art. At the heart of the town, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brihadeeswarar Temple adorned with unique carvings and sculptures, along with inscriptions that give an account of life 1,000 years ago. While the temples are awe-inspiring, the city's opulent palaces are no less, testifying of the grandeur of the ancient Dravidian civilisation. A true embodiment of South Indian art and craft, Thanjavur boasts a fine selection of traditional handcrafted items like bobblehead dolls, the divine Tanjore paintings and palm leaf articles. Thanjavur is also popular for classical music and Bharatnatyam dance. It is the birthplace of the percussion instrument thavil, popularly used in Indian classical music.