- Best time
- October to March
- Nearest airport
- Tiruchirappalli, about 60 km
- Nearest railway station
- Thanjavur Junction
- UNESCO site
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Great Living Chola Temples)
- Ideal time needed
- 1 to 2 days
History
Vijayalaya Chola captured Thanjavur in the ninth century, and it remained the centre of Chola power for about three centuries. Later the Nayak rulers and then the Marathas held the city, and both were keen patrons of music, dance and painting. Much of the town's artistic heritage dates from their courts.
Brihadeeswarar Temple
Built by Rajaraja Chola I and completed in the early eleventh century, the Big Temple is part of the UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples, first inscribed in 1987. Its tall vimana, the massive linga and the huge Nandi are the main sights. How the builders raised the enormous capstone to the top of the tower still fascinates engineers and historians.
Other places to see
- Thanjavur Palace, built by the Nayaks and Marathas, with the Darbar Hall and an art gallery of Chola bronzes
- Saraswathi Mahal Library, inside the palace, with a collection of some 30,000 manuscripts, many written on palm leaves
- The museums of Tamil University and the Rajaraja Chola memorial collection
- Sivaganga Park, next to the Big Temple
- The South Zone Cultural Centre, which promotes the region's performing arts
Best time to visit
October to March is the most pleasant period. Summer is hot and humid, so plan temple visits for early morning or evening if you travel then. The Big Temple looks especially fine at sunset, when the granite glows, and it is lit up after dark. Allow a full day for the temple and palace, and another if you want to explore Kumbakonam and the Chola temples nearby.
How to reach
Tiruchirappalli airport is about 60 km away, roughly an hour and a half by road. Thanjavur Junction has trains to Chennai and other cities, and national highways link the city with Tiruchirappalli, Kumbakonam and the coast.
Places to see in Thanjavur
Also nearby
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
