 According to local legend , the word Thanjavur is derived from " Tanjan " , an asura ( giant ) in Hindu mythology who was killed in what is now Thanjavur by the Hindu god Neelamegha Perumal , a form of Vishnu . The word Thanjavur is indeed a Tamil name . " Than " -cold , " chei " -farmland , " ur " - city , a city surrounded by cold farmlands.The word " Thancheiur " has become " Thanjavur " 
