Saraswathi Mahal Library
| Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahal Library | |
|---|---|
Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahal Library | |
| Location | Thanjavur, India |
| Type | Medieval library |
| Established | 16th century |
| Branches | N/A |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | Books and Manuscripts |
| Size | More than 49,000 |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | Open to public |
| Other information | |
| Website | tmssmlibrary.com |
Saraswathi Mahal Library, also called Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji's Saraswathi Mahal Library is a library located in Thanjavur (Tanjore), Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest subsisting libraries in Asia established during 16th century by the Nayak kings of Thanjavur and has on display a rare collection of Palm leaf manuscripts and paper written in Tamil and Sanskrit and a few other indigenous languages of india (especially southern regional languages). The collection comprises well over 49,000 volumes, though only a tiny fraction of these are on display. The library has a complete catalog of holdings, which is being made available online. Some rare holdings can be viewed on site by prior arrangement. Encyclopedia Britannica mentions the library as the "Most remarkable library of India".