TANJORE

According to another version, it was called Alkai due to the fact of Kubera's worshipping the Lord Siva here to and it was equal to Kurberapuri in wealth beauty. In the dim past it was the dearmost spot of Sage parasara, lived and did penance here, attracted by the serenity of the place, but was in constant fear by the atrocious acts of Thanjan, Taraka and Dandaka belonging to Asuraka tribes of demons. They struck terror in the minds of harmless people living in the region. When their danava kritayas went beyond the stage of endurance, the sage and the aggrieved went to Sri Mahavishnu and Durga and implored them for instant intervention to killing them and making their existence blissful.

Moved by their pathetic conditions Lord Maha Vishnu descending anon killed Thanjan and Dandaka, while Durga killed Taraka. Before he breathed his last, Thanjan pleaded with his slayer to name the place of his region after him. It was instantly granted. Since then it is called Thanjavur, which means the place of Thanja. Its previous name Alakai in course of time was totally forgotten. Yet, there is another account that traces its origin. It was once called Thanjan meaning refuge; for the main reason of the magnanimity of its rulers, who were offering asylum to the terror-stricken people, and many were benefited by the city's munificence of ready shelter. So the city Thanjavur was called the city of refuge.

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