The temples in Thanjavur, India have stood as shining beacons of the country’s rich heritage and culture. The temples of India, from the Somnath temple in the west to the Konark temple in the east, from the Katarmal temple in the north to the magnificent temples of the south which include the likes of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple and the Srirangam Temple, thousands of temples tell the story of India’s rich legacy. The Indian temple architecture is a glowing legacy of the ancient and rich cultural heritage of the country.
Some of the finest examples of temple art, architecture, and bronze sculpture came up during the rule of the Cholas in Tamilnadu and surrounding regions. The temples in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India represent the culmination of the finest traditions of Dravidian architecture and art which started during the reign of the Pallavas and reached the pinnacle of magnificence during the rule of Cholas.
It may be noted that the Cholas did not build only grand temples but also a range of structures of public utility including the Kallanai dam which is one of the oldest dams in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage site labelled as, “Great Living Chola Temples“, includes three magnificent temples in Thanjavur and the vicinity. They are Airavateswara Temple near Kumbakonam, Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple) in Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple int Jayakondam.
But apart from these, there are many architectural and artistic gems of the Chola period strewn in and around Thanjavur. The temples in Thanjavur are a glowing example of the grandeur of Dravidian architecture that scaled the peaks of glory during the rule of the Cholas. This guide to Thanjavur temples lists out the must-visit temples in and around Thanjavur and provides detailed information about Thanjavur to plan your trip to Thanjavur.
Table of Contents
Temples in Thanjavur – Must Visit Temples of Tanjore
The great living Chola temples consist of three famous temples namely, the Brihadisvara temple Thanjavur, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, and the Airavateshwara Temple. These grand temples which date back to more than a thousand years have still preserved the same rituals of worship prescribed as per the ancient agamas or doctrines of Hinduism. Apart from these temples, there are many temples which bring alive the artistic glory of the Chola period, here is a list of the must visit temples in Tanjore or Thanjavur.
Top Temples in Thanjavur
The top temples of Thanjavur are listed below in random order. But the first three temples listed below currently form the great living Chola temples.
- Brihadishwara Temple
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
- Airavatesvara Temple
- Ramaswamy Temple
- Kampaheswarar Temple
- Swetha Vinayagar Temple or Vellai Vinayakar Koil
- Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple
- Aiyarappar Temple
- Thyagaraja Temple
- Chakrapani Temple
- Neelamega Perumal or Thanjai Mamani Temple
- Nagnathswamy Temple
- Alangudi Guru Temple
- Sukran or Sukkiran Temple
- Suryanar Kovil
Brihadishwara Temple
The Brihadishwara Temple is credited to king Raja Raja Chola I who had it built between 1003 to 1010 AD. The massive and magnificent Brihadisvara temple took just 6 years to be completed. The temple is also referred to as Thanjavur Brihadeeswara temple or Tanjore big temple. However, the temple was originally named as Rajarajeshvaram temple and in later years also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil. The temple is dedicated to Shiva who is the main deity presiding in the Sanctum Sanctorum and occupying two storeys. In spite of the temple being a Shaivite temple, the primary deities of Vaishnavism and Shaktism can be seen in the main temple.
The Brihadisvara temple is one of the grandest and tallest of Indian temples and stands as a towering benchmark of Dravidian architecture. The temple consists of two towering Gopuras known that have been referred to as Rajarajan tiruvasal and Keralantakan tiruvasal. But what soars above all to the skies is the Vimana that rises to a height of 217 feet. Brihadisvara Temple has one of the largest Shiva Lingas in India and this temple also has a massive corridor.
The grand temple of Thanjavur is bedecked with beautiful murals, carvings, and bronze sculptures that take the breath away with their beauty. Inscriptions on the walls of the temple meticulously detail various administrative processes of the temple as also describe the various sculptures in detail. Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site which is known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, along with the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple.
Brihadishwara temple or the Brihadeeswara Temple or the Brihadisvara Temple or the Brihadishvara Temple ( ब्रिहदीस्वारा मंदिर ) is one of the most famous temples in Thanjavur. It is visually very impressive and worth a visit. Brihadeeswarar Temple or the Brihadishwara temple is one of the largest temples of India.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
The Gangaikondacholapuram Brihadisvara Temple as this temple is also referred to is about 70 kilometres from Thanjavur. This temple is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the group of temples referred to as the “Great Living Chola Temples”. This temple too is dedicated to Shiva and located at the village of Gangaikondacholapuram.
This temple is similar in design to the Brihadisvara temple in Thanjavur, though in terms of symmetry and finer details it is considered more refined. The temple was built by King Rajendra Chola I and was completed in 1025 AD. The Vimana of the temple rises to a towering height of 180 feet, which is less than the Thanjavur Brihadisvara temple. It is interesting to note here that the king Rajendra Chola I, kept the height of the Vimana less than that of the Thanjavur temple as a mark of respect for his father Raja Raja Chola I who had built the Thanjavur big temple or Brihadeshwara Temple Thanjavur.
The main idol of the Brihadisvara temple is a 13 feet tall Shiva Linga. The temple is ornamented with exquisite sculptures of Shiva in the classic dancing or Nataraja pose, Parvati, Ganesha, and other Gods and Goddesses. A massive sculpture of Nandi stands in front of the sanctum. This temple too has many sculptures of the deities of Vaishnavism and Shaktism and smaller temples too.
Airavatesvara Temple
The third temple of the triumvirate that forms the “Great Living Chola Temples“, is the Airavatesvara temple which is located in a village called Darasuram near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. It is about 35 kilometres from the town of Thanjavur. The Airavateshwara temple is also a Shiva temple, and Airavat is the name of the white elephant of the God Indra.
The Airavatesvara temple is also ornamented with beautiful sculptures and reliefs. The distinctive feature of this temple is its Agra Mandapa known as Rajagambhiran-tiru-mandapam which is in the form of a Chariot. Among the many shrines within the temple complex, there is one with an image of the God of Death, Yama. Legend has it that Yama himself was afflicted with a disease and was cured here by praying to Shiva.
The Airavatesvara temple was built in the 12th century CE by Rajaraja Chola II. Airavatesvara Temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site which is known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple.
Ramaswamy Temple
The Ramaswamy temple is located in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, about 40 kilometres from the town of Thanjavur. The temple was built by the Nayakkar kings in the 16th century. The temple is a Vaishnavite temple dedicated to the Hindu God of preservation, Vishnu in the form of Rama. It is believed that temple was constructed by a Prime Minister of the Nayak rulers, named Govinda Dikshitar.
The Sanctum Sanctorum houses the images of Rama and Sita in a sitting posture, and Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna in a standing posture. The image of Hanuman can be seen in a posture of worship. The highlight of the temple is a hall which has 64 monolithic pillars with beautiful carvings of scenes from the Ramayana.
Kampaheswarar Temple
The Kampaheswarar temple is situated in a small town called Thirubuvanam within Thanjavur district. The temple is about 47 kilometres from Thanjavur. The Kampaheswarar temple is considered to be one of the last of the glorious temples of the Cholas. It is similar to the three great Chola living temples and was built during the reign of Kulothunga Chola III between the 12th and 13th centuries.
The Kampaheswarar temple is also referred to as the Sarabeswarar temple. The temple is dedicated to Shiva in the form of Sarabha or Sharabha. Shiva in this avatar is seen as part lion and part bird with eight legs. The interpretation of this avatar of Shiva differs in the Vaishnavite and Shaivite mythologies. The name Kampaheswarar refers to the fact that here the God Shiva cured the tremors of a king who was believed to have been haunted by the evil spirit of a demon or Brahmarakshasa.
Swetha Vinayagar Temple or Vellai Vinayakar Koil | Kabartheeswarar Temple
The Swetha Vinayagar Temple is also known as Kabartheeswarar Temple is located at a distance of about 32 kilometres from Thanjavur. It is situated in a village named Thiruvalanjuli or Thiruvalanchuzhi in Thanjavur district near Kumbakonam. The original temple was built by the Cholas sometime during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I between the 10th and 11th centuries. Enhancements and expansions were done later by the Nayak rulers who came after the Cholas.
The massive Swetha Vinayagar temple complex has many shrines dedicated to different Gods and Goddesses. The main shrines is that of Ganesha or Vinayagar. The idol is white in colour and hence is known as Swetha Vinayagar which means, “White Ganesha”. Legend has it that the idol was created by Indra during the churning of the ocean from the foam of the sea. The other main shrine which is centrally located in the complex houses a Shiva Linga worshipped as Kabardeeswarar
Swaminathaswamy Temple Swamimalai
The Swaminathaswamy temple is situated in a small town called Swamimalai in Thanjavur district. It is around 35 kilometres from Thanjavur and about 7 kilometres from Kumbakonam. The main temple is dedicated to Swaminathaswamy also known as Muruga or Subrahmanya. This Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy temple stands atop a hillock at a height of about 60 feet. There are temples dedicated to Shiva and Parvati, the parents of Murugan at the base of the hillock.
It is believed that Muruga explained the importance of the Pranava Mantra or Aum to his father Shiva at this spot and hence he has been deified here as Swaminathaswamy. This is a very ancient temple and is believed to have existed from the 2nd Century BCE, later modifications and enhancements were done by the Chola king Parantaka Chola I during the 10th Century CE. The main deity is a granite image of Muruga. The Swaminathaswamy temple is considered very sacred and one of the six abodes of Muruga referred to as Arupadaiveedu. The other sacred places are Palani, Thiruthani, Thiruchendur, Thirupparankunram, and Pazhamudircholai.
Aiyarappar Temple
The Aiyarappar temple is a Shiva temple located in a small town called Tiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur District. It is about 12 kilometres from Thanjavur. The temple is also known as the Panchanadeeswarar temple. The main deity is Shiva worshipped as Aiyarappar in the form of a Shiva Linga. The original temple was built during the Chola rule in the 9th century. Further enhancements and modifications were done by subsequent rules including the Nayakars and the Marathas. The temple is also referred to as Dakshina Kailasam. In fact, the temple has two distinct parts which are named Dakshina Kailasam and Uttara Kailasam.
Thyagaraja Temple
The Thyagaraja Temple is another beautiful Shiva temple located in the town of Thiruvarur in Thanjavur district. It is around 62 kilometres from Thanjavur. The temple dates back to the 7th century when the region was ruled by the Pallavas. However, the temple was expanded and embellishments during the regime of the Cholas. In fact, this temple is believed to have inspired the famous Brihadsbrihadishwara Temple of Thanjavur. The temple complex sprawls over a massive area of 17 acres. The full name of the temple is Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple.
Chakrapani Temple
The Arulmigu Chakrapani Swami Temple is located about 40 kilometres from Thanjavur in Kumbakonam. This is a temple dedicated to Vishnu. As per legend, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to kill a demon in Paatal Lok, after which the Chakra settled on the banks of the Cauvery on earth.
Lord Brahma worshipped it there. It shone with such radiance that its glow even eclipsed that of Surya, the Sun God. Surya was irked at this and increased his shine, however, Vishnu in the form of the Chakra absorbed it all, till Surya realized his folly and bowed down to Vishnu. Vishnu as Chakrapani is worshipped in this temple. Vishnu can be seen with the third eye in this temple. Not much is known about the history of the temple, though it is known that it predates the Ramaswamy temple built by Govinda Dikshitar, who had a lane built between the two temples.
Neelamegha Perumal Temple
The Neelamegha Perumal Temple is a Vishnu temple that is located about 77 kilometres from Thanjavur in the town of Thirukannapuram. The temple is also known as Sowriraja Perumal Temple. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam temples of Vishnu. The temple was built by the Chola kings and was further enhanced during the rule of the Nayakas. The main deity is Vishnu in the form of Neelamegha Perumal flanked by Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple
This is a Shiva temple located in the town of Tirunageswaram near Kumbakonam in the district of Thanjavur. It is about 46 kilometres from Thanjavur. The original temple is believed to have been built by king Aditya Chola I in the 10th century AD and enhancements were made by subsequent dynasties like the Nayaka kings. The temple has major shrines to Shiva who is worshipped as Naganathaswamy, Parvathi as Pirayani Amman and Giri-Gujambigai. There is a separate shrine to Rahu, and the Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple is also known as Rahu Sthal and is one of the famous Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu.
Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi
This is a Shiva temple that dates back to the Chola period but the construction was enhanced by Nayak rulers during the 16th century. The temple is located in the town of Alangudi at a distance of about 35 kilometres from Thanjavur. The temple is also known as Guru Sthalam or Alangudi Guru Temple. It is one of the famous Navagraha temples in Tamilnadu and is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in Tamil Nadu. The main deities of the temple are Apatsahayesvarar and Guru or Jupiter in the form of Dakshinamoorthy.
Agniswarar Temple or Sukran or Sukkiran Temple
The Agniswarar temple is located in Kanjanur near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. The temple is at a distance of about 60 kilometres from Thanjavur. The temple has as its main deity Shiva, however, the presiding deity is Shukra or Venus. the temple is one of the Navagraha temples in the famous Navagraha temple pilgrimage circuit of Tamil Nadu. The temple was originally built by the Cholas and later restored and renovated by rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Suryanar Kovil
The Suryanar temple is located in Suryanar Kovil near Kumbakonam in the district of Thanjavur. It is about 53 kilometres from Thanjavur. The temple is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. The presiding deities of the temple are Surya and his consorts Usha Devi and Pratyusha Devi. The temple dates back to the period of the Cholas. It was originally built in the 11th century during the reign of Kulotttunga Choladeva, however, it was further restored during the rule of the kings of Vijayanagara. The temple is part of the Navagraha temples of the famous Navagraha temple pilgrimage circuit of Tamil Nadu. Apart from the Sun God, there are shrines in the temple complex to all the planets.
About Thanjavur
Thanjavur or Tanjore is a city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Great Living Chola Temples. Apart from the three main temples, there are many temples of the Chola period and beyond scattered around Thanjavur. It is believed that the city of Thanjavur has existed since at least the 3rd century BCE. Thanjavur is also known for the famous Thanjavur paintings or Tanjore paintings. These paintings form a classical painting style rooted in Tamil culture and date back to the time Thanjavur was ruled by the Nayakas who were great patrons of art and culture.
Thanjavur History
Thanjavur as a city seems to have existed from the 3rd century BCE. However, Thanjavur rose into prominence during the rule of the Cholas. Historical evidence including an Asoka edict suggests the existence of the Cholas during the Sangam period itself, however, the dynasty then went into oblivion. It was in the 9th century AD that the Cholas again rose into prominence. The might of the Cholas gradually got eclipsed towards the end of the 12th century.
After the decline of the Cholas, Thanjavur was for a brief time ruled by the Pandyas. Towards the end of the 13th century, Malik Kafur annexed Thanjavur on behalf of the Mughals and made it a part of the Delhi Sultanate for a brief period. However, it then came under the Vijayanagara empire under which it remained from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Thanjavur was ruled by the Nayaks of Thanjavur on behalf of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Thanjavur then came under the Bhosale dynasty of the Marathas between the 17th and 19th centuries. In 1855 Thanjavur became a part of British India and its name was recorded as Tanjore.
Thanjavur Map
Trichy City Map
Thanjavur District Map
Tiruchirapalli to Thanjavur by road
Thanjavur Tourist Places – Places to Visit in Thanjavur
The Brihadeeswarar temple Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is definitely the prime reason that tourists visit Thanjavur, but there are other Thanjavur places to visit beyond the Tanjore Periya Kovil.
Here is a list of places to visit in Thanjavur:
- Brihadishwara Temple (Tanjore big temple)
- Naganathaswamy Temple
- Sri Ranganathar Temple
- Apatsahayesvarar Temple
- Kallanai Dam
- Manora Fort
- Anna Science Center
- Saraswati Mahal Library
- Maratha Palace
- Thanjavur Palace or Tanjore Palace
- Royal Palace Museum
- Jambukeswarar Temple
- Sangeetha Mahal
- Archaeological Museum
- Vijayanagar Fort
Places To Visit Near Thanjavur
Though there are so many places to see in Thanjavur to keep you busy, there are many other tourist places near Thanjavur which one can visit if you have time and plan them in your Thanjavur itinerary.
Here is a list of places to visit near Thanjavur:
- Kumbakonam
- Velankanni
- Srirangam
- Tiruchirappalli
- Kanchipuram
Thanjavur Temple Timings
The temples of Thanjavur open early in the morning around 6 AM and closes in the afternoon. They open once again around 4.00 PM and close around 9.00 PM. Do check the specific Tanjore temple timings of the particular temple you would like to visit.
Best Time to Visit Temples in Thanjavur
It is better to plan your visit to temples in and around Thanjavur between October to February. The weather during these months will be cool. However, if you are on a spiritual tour with some purpose or doing a pilgrimage circuit then you may plan as per your convenience.
Thanjavur Temple Secrets | Brihadisvara Temple
The grand temple of Brihadisvara is renowned for its architectural design and its sculptures and murals. However, it is equally well known for amazing and intriguing facts. Here are some Thanjavur temple fascinating facts about the Brihadisvara Temple.
- One of the intriguing facts is about the Thanjavur temple shadow, it is said that the shadow of the Vimana disappears at noon and cannot be seen within the grounds
- Amongst the Tanjore temple secrets, it is said that there are many secret passages lying below the temple complex, some of which are said to have lead to the King’s palace
- The temple is built of granite, yet there is no known source of granite nearby
- At the top of the Vimana is a block of granite that weighs around 80 tons at a height of about 217 feet, it is a mystery as to how the stone was hoisted there
- The temple has been constructed using an interlocking system and there is no use of stucco or any binding material
- The temple is embellished with exquisite murals, many of which appear fresh and glowing even today. It is an amazing fact that the murals have survived over a thousand years without fading though painted with natural dyes.
Some Useful Tips – Things To Know Before Visiting Temples in and around Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
- Avoid visiting Thanjavur temples on weekends and busy days
- If possible, choose to visit between October and February to beat the heat
- There are several temples in and around Thanjavur. If you plan to cover all the temples then plan to stay for 4-5 days
- Photography of sculptures and architecture is allowed in Thanjavur temples. However, photography is not allowed within the sanctum sanctorum of the temples
- Mobile phones are not allowed inside the temple premises
- Cameras are not allowed inside the temple premises
- Remove your footwear/ slippers, shoes, sandals before entering the sanctum sanctorum of the temples
- While there is no dress code to visit the Thanjavur temples, it is advisable to dress modestly. Avoid wearing shorts, mini skirts etc.
- One can hire a local cab to go around the temples in and around Thanjavur
- Carry refillable water bottles
- Wear comfortable clothes that are cotton
- Wear sunglasses if it is sunny
Thanjavur Temples FAQ
What is Thanjavur famous for?
Thanjavur is famous for the Brihadisvara temple and other temples of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that forms the Great living Chola temples of Tamil Nadu. The Tanjore temple secrets and amazing facts draw visitors to its fold. Apart from this, there are many places to visit in Tanjore.
How far is Thanjavur Airport from the temple?
There is no airport in Thanjavur. The nearest airport is the Tiruchirapalli Airport at a distance of about 60 kilometres.
What is the Speciality of Thanjavur temple?
The Brihadisvara temple is the culmination of the glorious tradition of Dravidian architecture. It is known for its impressive design, murals, and brass sculptures, and is the most important of the Tanjore tourist places.
How was Thanjavur temple built?
The temple of Thanjavur was built with an interlocking technique without use of stucco. It is built of granite though there is no source of granite nearby.
What is the height of the Thanjavur temple?
The height of the Vimana of the Brihadisvara temple of Thanjavur is about 216 feet.
Which temple has no shadow?
It is said that the shadow of the Brihadisvara temple disappears at noon.
What can I buy in Thanjavur?
Some of the things worth buying in Thanjavur are, Thanjavur paintings, Thanjavur silk sarees, and brass sculptures.
Is Thanjavur worth visiting?
Thanjavur is a great place to visit, especially for those interested in architecture, history, and culture.
What are the Thanjavur big temple timings?
The temple opens at 6 in the morning and shuts in the afternoon around 12.30. It again opens around 4.00 PM and closes at 9.00 PM.
Are there hotels in Thanjavur near the temple?
Yes, there are many hotels near the temple.
What is the Thanjavur big temple history?
The temple was built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century.
Thanjavur Tourism – Guide to Plan Your Trip Tanjore
How to reach Thanjavur
Planning a trip to Thanjavur? We are here to help you plan your trip to Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.
- Thanjavur is situated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu
- Thanjavur to Chennai distance is about 346 kilometres
- The nearest airport to Thanjavur is Tiruchirapalli International Airport at a distance of about 60 kilometres
- The nearest major railway station to Thanjavur is also at Trichy, from where one can travel to different parts of the country by rail
- Thanjavur is well connected by road to different parts of the state, one can reach Thanjavur by Bus or cab
By Air:
One can fly to Tiruchirapalli ( also known as Trichy ) and from there travel by road to Thanjavur. From Tiruchirapalli to Thanjavur is around 60 kilometres and it would take an hour and a half by road.
By Rail:
Trichy is a major junction in South India. One can reach Tiruchirapalli by train and from there travel by road to Thanjavur.
Some of the trains to Trichy are:
- Bangalore to Trichy
- Chennai to Trichy
- Mysore to Trichy
- Hyderabad to Trichy
- Kochi / Ernakulam to Tiruchirapalli
By Road:
Thanjavur is well connected by road to major cities of South India. If you opt to travel by road then either you can take the public transport buses or hire a cab, hire a self-drive car or drive on your own if you have a valid Indian driving license.
- Chennai to Thanjavur distance is 346 kilometres by road
- Bangalore to Thanjavur distance is 393 kilometres by road
- Coimbatore to Thanjavur distance is 272 kilometres by road
- Madurai to Thanjavur distance is 132 kilometres by road
- Kumbakonam to Thanjavur distance is 31 kilometres by road
- Kanchi to Thanjavur distance is 287 kilometres by road
Are you planning a trip to Thanjavur? If so, you can book a cheap flight right here through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline. If you prefer travelling by road to Thanjavur then you can travel there by self-drive car or cab or bus.
Hotels in Thanjavur
You can either stay at Thanjavur or also opt to stay at Kumbakonam. There are many budget and luxury hotels in Thanjavur for your stay. There are also many good hotels to stay in Kumbakonam. You can book your Thanjavur hotels or Kumbakonam hotels through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and avail handsome discounts!
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Restaurants in Thanjavur
Thanjavur is a historical place. Thanjavur is famous for its traditional Tanjore cuisines like Ashoka halwa, Vasantha Neer and Thavala Adai.
Many places to eat in Thanjavur serve pure vegetarian food. Here are a few good vegetarian restaurants in Thanjavur:
- Sree Ariya Bhavan
- Sri Sivas
- Adyar Ananda Bhavan A2B Veg Restaurant
- Sahana Vegetarian Restaurant
-
Sri Vasavi Cafe
- Balaji Hotel
Wide variety of food is served in most of the top restaurants in Thanjavur. You can check out the best restaurants in Thanjavur here.
Shopping in Thanjavur
Thanjavur is one of the best places for art lovers. It is famous for Tanjore paintings. These Thanjavur paintings are the perfect souvenir for gifting or to take home. One can shop and buy artefacts around Brihadishwara Temple or Thanjavur Palace/ Museum.
Here is a list of things one can buy in Thanjavur:
- Thanjavur paintings
- Thanjavur silk sarees
- Dancing dolls (Thalaiyaati Bommai)
- Gold paintings
You can buy the dancing dolls near the big Brihadishwara temple.
The authentic Thanjavur paintings can be bought at the below-mentioned shop:
Poompuhar Handicrafts
Gandhiji Rd, Graham Nagar,
Shivaji Nagar,
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613001
Phone: 086789 84535
Thanjavur Sightseeing
Thanjavur is a treasure trove of architecture and culture with many temples in and around the city. You can plan your Thanjavur itinerary and book your Thanjavur trip, right here. So go ahead and book online your favourite Thanjavur Package or Navagraha Pilgrimage package. If you are in Chennai, then from Chennai you can do a 2-Day Great Living Chola Temples Cultural Tour.
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What About you?
Have you visited the temples in Thanjavur? How did you find the Trichy temples? Which is your favourite temple in Thanjavur? If you have not been to Thanjavur, we hope our Thanjavur Travel blog helps you in planning your Thanjavur itinerary and aids you as a mini Thanjavur travel guide. We have tried our best to provide all information to plan your trip to places in and around Thanjavur. Do let us know your thoughts through the comments section. They will make our day and motivate us!
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Wow.. Love the way you have be portrayed the whole travel. Such details and precision in your description.. Will save this for travel someday
Very exhaustive guide to Thanjavur. I must visit this marvelous place.
Wow! All of these temples are so majestic and beautiful! I could stare at them all day! Which one is your favorite if you had to pick? I don’t know if I could narrow it down to even a few! Thank you for going into so much detail on each you have done an amazing job with this post.
your post is a visual treat for people like me who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the temples of Tanjore. To tell you the truth I had only read about them in GK book and never visited south India, so your post is a boon for me. Temples are beautiful & grand. I’ll certainly visit them once the condition improves.
I’m completely awed by the beauty and fascinated looking at all the attention to detail that all these temples have – it is amazing that they are still in such good shape considering when they were built! I would love to visit some of them one day.
It’s hard to decide which of these amazing temples to visit first. I especially like the brightly colored architecture. I suppose this is similar to the vibrant paintings from the Thanjavur area.
So happy to see your post, Sandy. Thanjavur is our native place and not enough can be said about the temple architecture, culture and art. By the way, there is a wonderful historical museum as well. As for temples, there are literally countless temples to visit, each with its own unique story and specialty for devotees. Brihadishwarar temple – we have been visiting this since I was a toddler and it is amazing to see how the temple has changed over the years. I remember being amazed to realize the Pravati shrine was fully air conditioned! I love to visit the temples of south India – there are so many hidden gems that dazzle visitors with their sheer magnificence.
These temples are all so beautiful! The detail and craftsmanship are just stunning. I’m especially amazed that the natural pigments have retained their color for so long! If I’m ever in this part of India, I’ll be sure to take a guided tour of these temples.
What a comprehensive guide. I cannot even try to imagine how many temples there must be in India. However, Thanjavur looks just great and your guide is so comprehensive. And I know that I would do some serious shopping, too 😉
Wow, these temples are truly stunning!! I’ve never seen anything like this before. What a great guide to the temples and surrounding areas.
The temples of Thanjavur look incredible. You post has lots of detailed, helpful information for would-be visitors. I’d love to go someday.
I have visited a few of these temples and they are truly magnificent. I must compliment you on your detailed and well-researched post.
i have visited thanjavur temples in 2009. The best part I like about the temples are there arthitect.
All of these temples are spectacular! I have never been to an old temple like these, but it is on my bucket list. The architecture is outstanding. It would be interesting to attend a service at one of them as well to get a true feeling of what they are like to worship in.
I have never been here but I like the architecture of the temples. You covered everything really well.
I have been to Tamilnadu twice and both the trips were limited to Chennai. Tanjavur is a place I have never about before. Thank you for giving complete guide, it will help plan my future trips to Tamilnadu.
Have heard so much about the architectural beauty of the temples but never been to this beautiful city. May be once the things get better.
What an interesting post about all the different temples and the area of Tanjavur. I hope to visit India again when we can fly again and will definitely look into visiting Tamilnadu.
I have never been to tamil Nadu, the list you shared is so amazing with lots of monuments and temples to see. I will prefer this when I will be traveling to this state.
Trip to temple of Thanjavur seems like so magnificent and soulful. Love the architecture. I’ve never been to this place, this guide is very helpful
The temples of Tanjavur are beautiful I have fond childhood memories of going there with my parents when we lived in Trichy. Beautiful post!
Such an indepth & detailed guide to the temples & all things famous in Thanjavur; have to say I don’t need to hunt for information ; i can directly visit your post whenever i plan my sojourn to the place. Really so well written
My mum had been here and she has praised this place so much. Your travlog is tempting and I will visit it some day
Love the way you penned the entire trip with so much precision. Your blogs are always a visual treat. I m surely gonna plan a trip soon(hopefully)
I haven’t visited to Tamilnadu yet and Tanjavur is a new place for me too. The architecture of the temples are beautiful..
Wow, this is such an exhaustive and complete guide to Thanjavur. I had visited Thganjavur once when I went to Trichy for some work. I only had the time to visit the Brihadeswara Temple. Actually I took so much time admiring the temple, I did not get any time to visit the other places! But I do intend to return to Thanjavur and explore all these beautiful work of architecture. I want to visit the Gangaikondacholapuram and the rest as well.