menu icon

Thanjore Tour & Travel Guide

Thanjavur, which is now popularly known as Thanjore is a pivotal cultural center in south India. For travelers interested in history and architecture, this place is like a living museum. Amalgamation of dance, music, art, and architecture can be seen in the most seamless manner in Thanjore. The numerous temples that have stood strong through generations are an example of the fine craftsmanship of the bygone days. The city has that old world charm and the people are still so rooted to their traditions. Get a glimpse of the glorious past and know more about Indian heritage. The beautiful Chola temples in the city are declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also famous for Tanjore Paintings, a style unique to this region.

Thanjore Map
Population

400,000

Top Sites

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur Palace, Thanjavur Saraswati Mahal Library, Thanjavur Art Gallery, Thanjavur Fort

Temprature
Summer
April to June

26°C to 34°C

Monsoon
July to Sep

24°C to 30°C

Winter
Oct to Feb

16°C to 22°C

An Insight into Thanjore Tourism

A Symphony of Present & Past Cultures Living & Growing Together

Thanjavur, also called Tanjore in the past, is a pivot center of South Indian religion, spiritual learning, music, art and architecture. Most of the living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around this town. Thanjavur enjoys a distinctly rich historical heritage and has played a centralized role in moulding both, the ancient & the modern, South Indian civilization.

Thanjavur outshined as the erstwhile capital of the Chola kingdom and later that of the Marathas and the Nayaks. This place was at the peak of its fame and grandiosity during the Chola reign (10th - 14th Century) and it was a revered center of spiritual learning and culture. Being of religious importance, this place became a must visit pilgrimage site for all pilgrims. Today, Thanjavur is dotted with innumerable relics of the past, which mostly includes temples and other religious places in and around the district. The most important amongst all the must-see places here is the Brihadeeswara Temple, which is located right in the center of the city. Thanjavur has also marked its place in the global map owing to the popularity of Tanjore painting, a painting style absolutely unique to Thanjavur and artists who have belonged to this place for generations. This small city in south India is a perfect place to witness the magnificent and dynamic cultures of the past and present living in symphony every day.

The not to be missed sightseeing locations here include Brihadishwara Temple - the most important Temple to see in Thanjavur, which is dedicated to Shiva and has hundreds of lingam in he pillared cloister; Palace & Saraswathi Mahal Library inside Saraboji Palace is one of the oldest libraries in Asia and has very old manuscripts witten on palm leaves mostly in Tamil and Sanskrit and a wide collection of rare paintings depicting various Indian cities during the reign of King Saraboji; Siva Ganga Garden at Brihadishwara Temple; The Art Gallery, Sangeetha Mahal and the Ragavendra Temple. The Schwartz Church, which was constructed by Rev. Schwartz around 200 years ago is also a nice place to see.

There are a number of ancient temples in and around Thanjavur that are a delight for any tourist who has interest in temple architecture & heritage. Some ancient temples here are Lord Murugan Temple,Vellai Pillaiyar Temple, Chandra Bagawan Temple, Thiruvanajozhi, Thingalur Moon temple, Swami Malai, Sukkiran Temple, Guru Baghawan Temple at Alangudi, Kethu Temple, Sani Bhagawan Temple, Thirunallar, Mercury Temple, Kanchanur, Thiruvenkadu, Raaghu Temple, Keelaperumpallam, Thirunageshwaram, Thirumananjeri. Punnainallur Mariamman Temple and Punnainallur Mariamman Temple.

Tanjore or Thanjavur is also called the city of temples and it has a lot than temples for tourists. The cultural & heritage, Tanjore paintings, antiques and handicrafts, textiles, Carnatic music and musical instruments are not only convincing but also mesmerizing.

Let's plan your trip

Put us on work to plan your next travel. Send your details to our experts now to get a free travel plan with quote