Thanjavur, India: travel guide
Chola capital of great temples, bronzes and Bharatanatyam
Ancient Chola capital crowned by the Brihadeeswara Temple — a UNESCO masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and a hub of classical Bharatanatyam.
About Thanjavur
Thanjavur is a city in the Kaveri delta of Tamil Nadu and was a capital of the Chola dynasty. It is a centre of South Indian temple architecture, classical music and dance, and is known for its bronze casting and painting traditions.
The Brihadeeswarar Temple, with its immense granite tower, is the focal point and one of the great monuments of southern India. In town, the Thanjavur Maratha Palace, the Saraswathi Mahal Library and the art gallery add layers of later history. Day trips lead to Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, two more Chola creations.
Thanjavur suits architecture, art and culture enthusiasts. The best time to visit Thanjavur is from November to February, when temperatures are comfortable for walking around the open courtyards.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- TRZ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Thanjavur
Brihadeeswarar Temple
temple · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · free entry
The UNESCO "Big Temple", a 1010 CE Chola masterpiece with a 66-m vimana crowned by a single 80-tonne capstone and a colossal monolithic Nandi — the apex of Dravidian architecture.
Thanjavur Maratha Palace
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A sprawling 16th-century palace of the Nayak and Maratha rulers, with a durbar hall, bell tower and arsenal, at the heart of the old city.
Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · free entry
A UNESCO Chola temple at Darasuram (~30 km) famed for its chariot-shaped mandapa, musical stone steps and intricate miniature friezes.
Saraswathi Mahal Library
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the oldest libraries in Asia, a Maratha-era treasury of rare palm-leaf manuscripts, maps and illustrated books, with a small museum.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · free entry
A UNESCO temple built by Rajendra Chola I as his imperial capital, a grand twin to the Big Temple set amid quiet countryside (~70 km).
Thanjavur Art Gallery
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A gallery in the palace housing a superb collection of Chola bronze and granite sculptures, including exquisite Nataraja and deity figures.
Thanjavur Bazaar (Art & Crafts)
Market · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The lively town market famed for Thanjavur paintings (with gold leaf), bobblehead dolls, bronze ware and South Indian crafts.
Thiruvaiyaru (Thyagaraja Shrine)
temple · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The riverside town sacred to Carnatic music, home of the saint-composer Thyagaraja and the famed annual Thyagaraja Aradhana music festival.
Sivaganga Park
Nature · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A green park beside the Big Temple with the old Sivaganga tank, a small zoo and gardens — a pleasant family stop after the temple.
Schwartz Church
church · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A graceful 1779 colonial church built by Raja Serfoji II for the missionary C.F. Schwartz, set in palace grounds with fine memorial sculpture.
Things to do
- Brihadeeswarar Temple Guided Tour Cultural · 2 h · from INR 500 per person
- Great Living Chola Temples Tour Cultural · 8 h · from INR 2,000 per person
- Palace, Library & Bronze Gallery Walk Cultural · 2.5 h · from INR 600 per person
- Thanjavur Painting Workshop Activity · 2 h · from INR 800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Thanjavur City Heritage Tour 7 h · from INR 1,200
- Great Chola Temples Day Trip 9 h · from INR 2,200
- Thanjavur & Kumbakonam Temple Trail 10 h · from INR 2,500
Where to stay in Thanjavur
- Temple Area about INR 1,500 per night
Sacred town with historic temple accommodation
Hotels
- Svatma 5-star · INR 9,000 to INR 18,000 per night
- Hotel Sangam Thanjavur 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,000 per night
- Hotel Gnanam 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
- Ideal River View Resort 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,500 per night
- Hotel Parisutham 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
- Hotel Valli 3-star · INR 2,200 to INR 4,000 per night
Where to eat
- Sahana Restaurant South Indian, Tamil · about INR 250 per person
- Vasantha Bhavan Thanjavur South Indian · about INR 200 per person
- Thevar Mess Chettinad, Tamil, Biryani · about INR 280 per person
- Sangam Restaurant (Hotel Sangam) Chettinad, North Indian, Continental · about INR 550 per person
- Hotel Gnanam Restaurant South Indian, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
- Ananda Bhavan South Indian, North Indian, Chaat · about INR 200 per person
- Sri Krishna Bhavan Sweets Sweets, Snacks, South Indian · about INR 120 per person
- Thanjavur Coffee House South Indian, Cafe · about INR 120 per person
Getting to Thanjavur
Airport: Thanjavur (TRZ)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Thanjavur
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Thanjavur?
- The highest-rated places in our Thanjavur guide are Brihadeeswarar Temple, Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Saraswathi Mahal Library, Thanjavur Art Gallery.
- Where should I stay in Thanjavur?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Thanjavur: Temple Area.
- How do I get around Thanjavur?
- Ways to get around Thanjavur covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Thanjavur?
- The nearest airport to Thanjavur has the code TRZ.