Marāṭhā paintings are seen in four places in the Tanjavur temple complex: Amman shrine, Enclosure walls, Nandi Maṇḍapa and Subrahmaṇya shrine. Many of these paintings were commissioned by Serfoji-II when he carried out a great Kumbhābhiṣekam in 1802-03.

Paintings on the ceiling of the maṇḍapa in front of the Amman shrine illustrate stories connected with the exploits of the Goddess. The paintings in the central bay of the ceiling are in a series of rectangular panels illustrating the story of the Goddess in a fight with demons Mahiṣāsura, Śumbha and Niśumha. Most panels are provided with a label in Tamil, above the figure. On either side of the central bay are painted, a series of divine marriages. The panels so depicted are Gaṇeśa-kalyāṇam, marriage of Subrahmaṇya, Lakṣmī-kalyāṇam, Gauri-kalyāṇam, Saraswati-kalyāṇam Sūrya's marriage with Ūṣā, Candra’s marriage with Rohiṇi, and others. In addition we find stucco figures painted with scenes from the Śiva purāṇa. Some of the panels depicted are done with consummate skill and seem to be painted by local artists who were familiar with the stories.

The second series are found on the walls of the western and northern enclosure. These depict various scenes from a popular work called Tiruvilayāḍal, by the famous author Paramjoti munivar. Tiruvilayāḍal is on the 64 divine sports of Śiva. These paintings seem to be by an accomplished artist who shows maturity of artistic skill.