The Cholas were the greatest of the south Indian ruling dynasties. Rajaraja I (985 –1014 CE) was the greatest of this dynasty known for his royal endeavour, military conquests, efficient administration and promotion of culture and art. He raised the power of the Chola dynasty to unprecedented heights and paved the way for its continued splendour for another two centuries. Rajaraja built the grandest of temples in this capital; Rajarajesvaram (Big temple) may be aptly described as a temple created in a short time for all time . It is rich in the field of architecture, sculpture (in stone and metal) and painting and also in the arena of music and dance. The museum was established in the year 1984 as part of the celebration of his 1000th birth centenary

Antiquities on Display

Stone sculptures viz. Yoga Dhakshinamoorthy, Nataraj, Jyeshta, Gajalakshmi, Vishnu, Brahma, Muruga, Bairava, Vinayaga, Surya, Rishi Agasthya and Nandi.

The Museum is functioning in the Rajarajan Manimandapam, Thanjavur, and is located at about 50 km from Trichy.