Tam: தஞ்சாவூர் tañcāvūr
‘City of Refuge’ [Tanjore] City/District, Tamil Nadu
From Tam: tañcam, ‘refuge’, ‘protection’; and Tam: ūr, ‘village’, ‘town’.
The Chola Empire dominated South India and beyond from 9-13thC and Thanjavur was its capital for most of that time.
The District features the most important examples of Chola temple architecture including the magnificent and extraordinary Brihadeeswara temple in Thanjavur [see video below]..
Also: In the 2ndC the Muttarayar invaded kingdoms in Tamil Nadu. They ruled in Thanjavur district and some suggest that the city takes its name from one of their kings: Dhananjaya.
Thanjavur is a centre for religion, tourism, art and architecture, but is also known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.
