Sangam Thanjavur - Nearby Attractions

Nearby Attractions

	Rameshwaram: Rameshwaram is 255 kms from Thanjavur and one of the most important pilgrimage spots for Hindus. This is the spot that Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva on his return from Srilanka. The great temple of Sri Ramanatha was built by Sri Rama himself and therefore held in great reverence. It is a huge temple measuring 264m East to West and 200m North to South , with 3 Prakaras, 2 big Gopuras and 2 unfinished ones. It contains two lingas, many small shrines and 22 ‘Tirthas’ or sacred bathing ghats. The legend is that after killing Ravana, Sri Rama returned to India and worshipped Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram to atone for his sin, He decided to set up a linga and instructed Hanuman to bring one within a stipulated time. However, as this was delayed and the auspicious time approached, Sita quickly fashioned one out of sand and offered worship.This is the Ramalinga at the temple. When Hanuman returned, he was angry to find a linga there and attempted to uproot it. However, Sri Rama resolved this by asking him to set up the linga that he had brought and directing that this ’Visvalinga’ should be worshipped first. Lakhs of Hindus make a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram every year as it is one of the important injunctions laid on Hindus.

	Tiruvarur Temple: The famous Tiruvarur or Thyagarajaswami Temple is situated at Tiruvarur, about 55kms from Thanjavur. The pride of this temple is its chariot - Tamilnadu’s biggest – an ornate one produced by master craftsmen and truly fit for the Gods to be taken in procession. Tiruvarur is also the birthplace of the famous musician Saint Thyagaraja.

	Velankanni: Velankanni is considered the “Mecca of South Asian Christianity" and 89 kms from Thanjavur. The shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of Health, as the Madonna of Velankanni is popularly called and this 'Sacred Arockia Madha Church' is visited by people of all faiths and religions. Velankanni is renowned to cure sicknesses and maladies, thus also known as the 'Lourdes of the East'. The history of the church goes back to the early centuries. On 8th September 1869, a Portuguese ship sailing from Macao to Goa was trapped in a huge storm in the Indian Ocean. The sailors fervently prayed to the Virgin Mary begging her to rescue them and promised to build her a magnificent church if she did so. Soon their wrecked ship reached the shores of Velankanni. The sailors kept their promise and built a Basilica in Velankanni. They also regularly visited the place bringing exquisite items to decorate the church. The awe-inspiring church is majestic with an imposing façade. It has tall spires and wings worked in the shape of a cross. The altar enshrines the statue of Our Lady of Health. A unique tradition is to offer a candle in the shape of the respective ailment- a red heart in case of cardiac complications and so on. On receiving a cure, devotees offer thanksgiving in the form of small gold and silver replicas of parts of the body cured. There is a small church museum which has a display of the offerings made by those whose prayers were answered. The Church Festival celebrated from 29th August to 8th September attracts devotees from all over the world.

	Nagore Dargah : The Nagore Dargah of Meeran Sahib Badshah is one of the most popular pilgrimage centers for Muslims in Tamil Nadu and has beautiful domed arches and minarets. It lies just 78 kms form Thanjavur. The Nagore Dargah shrines are at Nagore, Vanjur and Silladi. The main campus at Nagore consists of five acres with four impressive entrances . Just outside is a large 131 ft tall tower - 'Periya Minara' built by Tanjore King Pratap Singh around 1760 AD. The Nagore campus has a golden dome with three tombs containing the remains of Meeran Sahib, his son Syed Mohammed Yusuf and daughter-in-law Saeeda Sultana Biwi. Next to Meeran Sahib’s tomb is a golden box with his pair of wooden slippers, a gift from a grateful carpenter cured of illness by him. The 'Peer Mandap' is where the Peer fasts for three days during the festive season of the Dargah. The yearly festival is called 'Kandhuri Urs'. It begins at Meera Pally mosque in Nagapattinam with a Rath containing the flags of the Dargah proceeding to Nagore.

	Garbharakshambigai Temple: This is an ancient Siva temple about 20 kms East of Thanjavur dedicated to Sri Mullaivananathar and Sri Karparakshambigai. It is a huge temple spread over a wide expanse with imposing Gopurams and a tank in front of it. It is believed that childless people who worship here with devotion and faith are blessed with pregnancy and pregnant women with safe deliveries. Unmarried women also pray here for their marriages. Its origin speaks of the story of Sage Nidhruva and his wife Vedhika who conceived after manyprayers. Once while the sage was away, thepregnant Vedika was deep asleep when Sage Urdhvapada came to her door asking for alms. Therefore ,she did not hear him and failed to respond. He cursed her and the foetus slipped out of her womb. She prayed to the Goddess who appeared and protected it , keeping it in a pot till it developed into a male child Naidhruvan. The Linga here is self-manifested and made of ant-hill mud.Therefore there is no water abhisekam worship is only offered with ‘Punuhu’. This Punuhu Chattam is offered by devotees who want to be cured from diseases.