Thanjavur has been renowned as a great centre of Art. Culture and literature for more than ten centuries. Successive generations of the Cholas, Nayaks and Maratha rulers have contributed and enriched the cultural greatness. Thanjavur is well known throughout the world for its Brahadeswar temple, magnificent Palace and the Sarasvati Mahal Library. The Saraswati Mahal Libarary is one among the few medievall libraries that exists in the world. It is a treasure house of knowledge. It contains very rare and valuable collection of manuscripts, books, maps and paintings on all aspects ofarts, culture and literature. The Encyclopaedia of Britannica in its survey of libraries of world mentions this as The most remarkable library in India.