 Thanjavur is the headquarters of the Thanjavur District . The city is an important agricultural centre located in the Cauvery Delta and is known as the " Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu " . Thanjavur is administered by a municipal corporation covering an area of 36 @.@ 33 km2 ( 14 @.@ 03 sq mi ) and had a population of 222 @,@ 943 in 2011 . Roadways are the major means of transportation , while the city also has rail connectivity . The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport , located 59 @.@ 6 km ( 37 @.@ 0 mi ) away from the city . The nearest seaport is Karaikal Port , which is 94 km ( 58 mi ) away from Thanjavur . 
