Thanjavur
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Travel guide
About Thanjavur
Rajaraja Chola I completed the Brihadeeswarar Temple, the 'Big Temple', in 1010 CE. Its tower rises about 66 metres, and a thousand years later it's still in daily worship.
With the temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram it forms the UNESCO 'Great Living Chola Temples'. The region is also the home of Bharatanatyam, Thanjavur painting and the bronze-casters of Swamimalai.
- Best time
- November to February.
- Ideal trip
- 2–4 days
- Getting there
- Fly into Tiruchirappalli (about 60 km). Trains run from Chennai in about 6–8 hours.
- For visitors from abroad
- The Big Temple is beautiful in the late-afternoon light. Carry socks: the stone floors get very hot by midday.
3 itineraries
Thanjavur Tour Packages
Each one is fully customisable: dates, hotels, pace and days.
Thanjavur Tour: Big Temple & Great Living Chola Temples (4 Days)
- Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) → Tiruchirappalli (Trichy)
- Best: Nov – Feb
Starting from₹16,500 /person
View Itinerary
Tamil Nadu Temple Tour: Chennai to Madurai via Pondicherry & Thanjavur (9 Days)
- Chennai → Madurai
- Best: Dec – Feb
Starting from₹46,500 /person
View ItineraryChola Temples & Madurai Yatra for Parents: Trichy to Madurai, 6 Days
- Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) → Madurai
- Best: Nov – Feb
Starting from₹28,500 /person
View ItineraryDon't miss
Best Things to Do in Thanjavur
Brihadeeswarar Temple
The great vimana, the monolithic Nandi and the Chola frescoes.
Airavatesvara, Darasuram
A small temple with exquisite carving, including its stone chariot.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Rajendra Chola's temple, quieter but just as grand.
Thanjavur Palace and Saraswathi Mahal
The Nayak and Maratha palace, a gallery of Chola bronzes and a historic library.
Swamimalai bronze-casting
Watch the lost-wax method used for Chola bronzes since the 9th century.
What to Eat
- 🍽️ Thanjavur thali
- 🍽️ Degree coffee in Kumbakonam
- 🍽️ Kumbakonam vettilai (betel)
- 🍽️ Ashoka halwa (Thiruvaiyaru)
In pictures
Thanjavur in Pictures
Read before you go
Thanjavur Guides
Tamil Nadu20 Sept 2026 · 1 min read
Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Thanjavur: Tamil Nadu's Temple Trail Explained
Pallava rock-cut shrines, a city of a thousand temples, and the Cholas' thousand-year-old masterpiece.
By TX Team
Tamil Nadu9 May 2022 · 3 min read
My Favourite Spiritual Experience in Kumbakonam
Last year, I had gone for temple runs with my family from Chennai to Kumbakonam. We had planned for exactly four temples to visit while going to and from Kumbakonam. We planned to cover exactly four temples in Kumbakonam, a city located in the district of Thanjavur which is known for its temples and especially
By Swetha Ramkumar
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On-trip help
How many days do I need?+
One for Thanjavur, one for Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and one for Kumbakonam's other temples or Swamimalai.
Can we add Srirangam?+
Yes. Srirangam (Trichy) has the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in India and sits beside the airport.
Is there a dress code?+
Covered shoulders and knees. Shoes are removed at the entrance; there's a free shoe stand.
