Raja Gori - Thanjavur Info | Thanjavur's No. 1 Local Directory Website

Raja Gori Thanjavur

(Raja Gori is also Kailash Mahal 2.4 Kms from Thanjavur)

A group of Shiva Temples of the Thanjavur Maratha dynasty is situated at Vambulancholai on the southern bank of river Vadavar which flows in the Northern periphery of Thanjavur town. This place is called as Kailash Mahal or Raja Gori.

These temples, mostly dating from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries are of special significance for the following reason.

The Maratha rulers of Thanjavur are Saivite’s who believe that after death, one would attain Sivapadham (the glorious feet of Lord Shiva). These temples were erected exactly at the place where a ruler or his consort were cremated. If the temple was raised in memory of a male member of the family, it housed a Sivalingam and if the shrine was built in memory of a female member, it housed the idol of the Goddess Parvathi.

2. The inscriptions on these temples provide interesting details of the Maratha dynasty including the names and titles of the kings, queens and their date of demise. Tamil University has published the details of these inscriptions in their book titled “Marathiar Kalvettukal”. Special pujas are performed in these temples by Shivacharyar.

3. The most prominent shrines in this premise are those dedicated to King Tulaja, Pratap Singh, Sarfoji II (the popular king of the dynasty) and Shivaji II, (the last ruler of the dynasty) and some of their queens. Totally, there are five big temples and sixteen smaller temples surviving here now. This is one of the rarest instances in India where a group of memorial shrines of an important Hindu dynasty still exists against all odds. Even though the site and these temples are the private property of the Maratha royal family and pujas are carried out regularly by the family, it is definitely the only surviving group of such historical monuments in Tamil Nadu. Even now, the site serves as the exclusive cremation ground of the family.

4. Architecturally, these temples display a fusion of the Dravidian style, the native Maratha and the Mughal style architecture. These temples were built with bricks, terracotta and lime plaster on a strong granite and laterite base. Some of these temples display intricate ornamentation. The above temples thus possess immense archaeological, historical, architectural and epigraphical importance.

5. As of now many Art historians, Architects, Research Scholars, Media people & general tourist visit these monuments often.

6. Due to the injustice of the British who confiscated all the properties of the royal family in order to gain control on Thanjavur and later due to the ravages of time, this unique group of heritage buildings are now almost in ruins, requiring urgent repairs.

7. Steps are being taken for restorations. Hope the restoration will boost up lot of tourism in this place and will be supporting the local community residing there.

Content Courtesy : This is to inform that the content we use on this page, are taken from the official website of Serfoji Memorial Hall. The contents are subjected to copyrights Serfoji Memorial Hall, Thanjavur.

Connectivity

It is located at the heart of the City and located very near to the world famous Brihadeeswarar Temple. Autos and Buses are available to reach this place from Bus Stands & Railway Stations.

Airways :

The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli airport is (64.4 Kms) from Raja Gori.

Railways :

The nearest railway station is Thanjavur Railway Station is (4.3 Kms) from Raja Gori.

Roadways :

Raja Gori is (2.4 Kms) from Thanjavur old bus stand, (8.3 Kms) from Thanjavur New bus stand, (64.9 Kms) from Trichy Central Bus Stand.