G2Rail

Thanjavur (or 'Thanjai' or 'Tanjore'), the headquarters of the district with the same name, is 342 km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. Thanjai is considered to be the granary and 'rice bowl' of Tamil Nadu.

Brihadeshwara temple in Thanjavur Thanjavur thrived as the ancient capital of the Chola kingdom, later of Marathas and Nayaks. Thanjavur was at the height of its glory during the Chola period between the 10th and the 14th century and became a great centre of learning and culture. The Chola Empire eventually grew into one of the most powerful empires India had ever seen under the rule of Rajaraja Chola I, also known to many Tamils as Rajaraja the Great, and his son, Rajendra Chola I. Under Rajendra Chola I, the capital was moved from Thanjavur to the nearby Gangaikondacholapuram..

The important landmark in Thanjavur is the great Brahadeeswara Temple, also known as the Big Temple, built by Rajaraja Chola I. It is one of the most magnificent pieces of South Indian temple architecture. Established in 1011 AD in celebration of the victory of Chola kingdom that extended till Ceylon and some parts of the Malaya archipelago. Now it is a world heritage site.

Even today Thanjavur is not only considered the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu but also a cultural headquarters, and the Tamil spoken here is considered by many linguists to be the purest form of the language. Though the Thanjavur district is dominated by agriculture, the town itself is diverse, having a literacy rate of more than 75% and a heterogeneous mix of population of all religions.

Tanjore is very famous for its fine paintings done with studded gems and gold leaf. Brihadeswara Temple wide view

Tanjore Art Gallery, East main road (Inside the palace. 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00 (closed on holidays). Art exposition of bronzes and statues of the Chola period. The ticket gives also access to a construction of the palace with a nice view on the town. Entrance: ₹30 for foreigners, ₹7 for Indians..
Brihadishwara Temple, Hopital road (Behind old bus stand. This is the most important place to see in Thanjavur. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must see. One can enjoy the architecture of the whole temple and also the cute little garden on the temple's backyard. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. Hundreds of lingams are in the pillared cloister. The sanctum sanctorum has a huge Shiva lingam and an immense stone Nandi and two live elephants to bless the pilgrims. The temple gopuram is 63 m high. Free entrance.
Thanjavur Palace & Saraswathi Mahal Library - Possesses very old manuscripts mostly in Tamil and Sanskrit. The library is situated inside the Saraboji Palace which contains many rare paintings depicting various Indian cities during the reign of King Saraboji.
Ragavendra Temple
Sangeetha Mahal
Schwartz Church - This church was constructed by Rev. Schwartz more than 200 years ago. Though there is nothing much great about the artistic work, the church is still operational under the CSI Trichy-Tanjore Diocese. The morning service which is conducted in English takes place every Sunday at 7:00.
Siva Ganga Garden - A cute little park sandwiched between the Brihadeshwara Temple and the Schwartz Church. There are children playing area at the heart of the park and it is very pleasant to watch the innocent laughs and smile. The park has a cute little train and also a theppakulam ( a temple in the middle of pond). Boating is also available in the pond.

In and around Thanjavur there are other ancient temples like Vellai Pillaiyar Temple, Thiruvanajozhi, Lord Murugan Temple, Swami Malai, Chandra Bagawan Temple, Thingalur Moon temple, Sukkiran Temple, Kanchanur, Kethu Temple, Keelaperumpallam, Sani Bhagawan Temple, Thirunallar, Mercury Temple, Thiruvenkadu, Raaghu Temple, Thirunageshwaram, Guru Baghawan Temple at Alangudi, Thirumananjeri.

Tanjore Art Gallery, East main road (Inside the palace. 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00 (closed on holidays). Art exposition of bronzes and statues of the Chola period. The ticket gives also access to a construction of the palace with a nice view on the town. Entrance: ₹30 for foreigners, ₹7 for Indians..

Brihadishwara Temple, Hopital road (Behind old bus stand. This is the most important place to see in Thanjavur. This [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] is a must see. One can enjoy the architecture of the whole temple and also the cute little garden on the temple's backyard. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. Hundreds of lingams are in the pillared cloister. The sanctum sanctorum has a huge Shiva lingam and an immense stone Nandi and two live elephants to bless the pilgrims. The temple gopuram is 63 m high. Free entrance.

Thanjavur Palace & Saraswathi Mahal Library - Possesses very old manuscripts mostly in Tamil and Sanskrit. The library is situated inside the Saraboji Palace which contains many rare paintings depicting various Indian cities during the reign of King Saraboji.

Ragavendra Temple

Sangeetha Mahal

Schwartz Church - This church was constructed by Rev. Schwartz more than 200 years ago. Though there is nothing much great about the artistic work, the church is still operational under the CSI Trichy-Tanjore Diocese. The morning service which is conducted in English takes place every Sunday at 7:00.

Siva Ganga Garden - A cute little park sandwiched between the Brihadeshwara Temple and the Schwartz Church. There are children playing area at the heart of the park and it is very pleasant to watch the innocent laughs and smile. The park has a cute little train and also a theppakulam ( a temple in the middle of pond). Boating is also available in the pond.

Thanjavur is famous for its 'Thanjavur dancing doll' (Thanjavur thalai attu bommai), Tanjore Paintings (Lord Krishna paintings are the best) and Tanjore art plates (Lord Balaji are the best).

There is an outlet inside the palace where old and new art works are sold. You can pay with your credit card too.

There is a Phoompuhar art Gallery, which exhibits and sell a wide range of artistic bronze idols, Thanjavur paintings and artistic plates.Its been a hot spot for the foreign travellers.

Sree Aariya Bhavan, +91 9042026277. Very good traditional, authentic vegetarian restaurant. In the morning, delicious dosas & idly are served; for lunch, the thali is served on a banana leaf. ₹45 for the thali.
Venkata Lodge. Very good traditional (especially pongal, adai, aviyal), authentic vegetarian restaurant.

Sree Aariya Bhavan, +91 9042026277. Very good traditional, authentic vegetarian restaurant. In the morning, delicious dosas & idly are served; for lunch, the thali is served on a banana leaf. ₹45 for the thali.

Venkata Lodge. Very good traditional (especially pongal, adai, aviyal), authentic vegetarian restaurant.

Dheen Garden - The only place where you can get grilled chicken. The food is decent. Tandoori chicken is delicious and the portion they serve is very good. Check out their murthapa.
Hotel Sangamam
Popular - This is the cheapest among the lot and the Chinese dishes are nice.
Raja's curry, Court road, +91 4362270007. Very good veg, non-veg and halal restaurant. Indian and Chinese food. ₹40 for the thali.
Rice Bowl (pla) - They serve awesome Chinese food and their starters also pretty good.
Sathars, Gandhiji road. They are good at Mughal dishes. Very rich gravies. Try this out if you are not too worried about your waist line. ₹50-100 for a curry.
Thevars- The best biriyani in town

Dheen Garden - The only place where you can get grilled chicken. The food is decent. Tandoori chicken is delicious and the portion they serve is very good. Check out their murthapa.

Hotel Sangamam

Popular - This is the cheapest among the lot and the Chinese dishes are nice.

Raja's curry, Court road, +91 4362270007. Very good veg, non-veg and halal restaurant. Indian and Chinese food. ₹40 for the thali.

Rice Bowl (pla) - They serve awesome Chinese food and their starters also pretty good.

Sathars, Gandhiji road. They are good at Mughal dishes. Very rich gravies. Try this out if you are not too worried about your waist line. ₹50-100 for a curry.

Thevars- The best biriyani in town

Marutham, Srinivasam Pillai Road. 07:00-23:00. Vegetarian South Indian cuisine.
Mullai, Srinivasam Pillai Road. 12:00-15:00 and 19:00-23:00. Multicuisine, one of the few places place here where you get continental food but the food is overpriced.

Marutham, Srinivasam Pillai Road. 07:00-23:00. Vegetarian South Indian cuisine.

Mullai, Srinivasam Pillai Road. 12:00-15:00 and 19:00-23:00. Multicuisine, one of the few places place here where you get continental food but the food is overpriced.

Bombay Sweets. Very good sweets and special spicy savouries.
Sri Krishna Sweets. Ghe murukku and good Indian-style cakes.
Sri Divya Sweets. Excellent vada and bhajjis; also cheap wholesome sweets and savouries.

Bombay Sweets. Very good sweets and special spicy savouries.

Sri Krishna Sweets. Ghe murukku and good Indian-style cakes.

Sri Divya Sweets. Excellent vada and bhajjis; also cheap wholesome sweets and savouries.

Banam bub, Srinivasam Pillai Road (Oriental Towers. 11 am - 10 pm.

Banam bub, Srinivasam Pillai Road (Oriental Towers. 11 am - 10 pm.