Tourist places in Tanjore

Tamil Nadu is a state bordering Kerala in South India. With an ancient history, it maintains its language and traditions. Its incredible temples are one of the region's main attractions, as is its culture.
Tanjore is a beautiful city in Tamil Nadu, India, also known as the city of temples. The cultural importance of the Thanjavur tourist place is very high. The city is known for the Tanjore painting style, antiques, handicrafts, attractive textiles, saris, Tanjore paintings, etc., present here. Major attractions of Tanjore include Rajarajeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, Siva Ganga Garden, Historical Palace, Art Gallery, Saraswati Mahal Library, Sangeet Mahal, etc. Tourists come in large numbers to visit Thanjavur and enjoy its rich historical heritage. The city of Tanjore is known for the cultivation of paddy due to its location in the fertile delta region of the Cauvery and is also known as the rice bowl of South India. If you want more information about prominent tourist places in Tanjore, read our article thoroughly.

Why Tanjore?

A former royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks, and Mahrattas, Tanjore takes its name from Tanjan, a giant. According to local legend, he laid waste to the neighborhood and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Vishnu, called Sri Neelamegapperumal. Tanja's last wish for the city to be named after him was granted. Thanjavur, at the height of its glory in the days of Rajaraja Cholan, is still the center of all classical arts and music. The city has produced many classical musicians and Bharatanatyam dancers. The bronze sculptures of Tanjore are of incredible finesse, and the know-how inherited from the Cholas is still alive today. It is also renowned for its unique style of painting called Tanjore Painting - practiced on multiple layers and centered on the themes relating to Hindu gods and goddesses – and for his travel, a percussion instrument. Tanjore is a small city in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is in a central position between Chennai and Madurai. It was once a great center of power. Therefore, in addition to everything you can see in Thanjavur, you will discover that it preserves the traditional Tamil culture. Today, Thanjavur is known as the rice barn of South India. Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore or the city of temples, has immense cultural importance. Tanjore has a rich historical heritage and is an essential Tamil Nadu tourist destination in the making of ancient and modern South Indian civilization. Thanjavur is the most visited and most historical place in India today. It was the capital of the great King Raja Chola, who built the beautiful temple of Brihadisvara. It is one of the best Thanjavur tourist places. The central Chola temple, the Brihadeeswara Temple in the city's heart, attracts tourists worldwide. The history of Tanjore shows that this city used to be the capital of the great Chola ruler Rajaraja and he established the Brihadisvara temple. It is believed that the last wish of the demon was that his name should call this place. In ancient times Tanjore was known as Thanjapuri. This place was ruled for a long time by Vijayalaya Chola. Brihadeshwara Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city.

Tanjore, a Tamil soul

In a few years, the city of Tanjore, which used to be called Tanjore, has become one of those noisy Indian cities crossed by heavy traffic. However, the atmosphere and the population are still just as warm. The temple of Thanjavur is with that of Madurai, the most majestic of the Dravidian temples. This "big temple," another city within the city, is the ideal place to spend your evenings. Serenity and gratitude are in the program... After the reign of the Cholas, Tanjore was ruled by the Pandyas, the Nayaks of the Kingdom of Vijayanagar, the Marathas, and the British. Everyone will be keen to preserve the city's cultural heritage.

Cradle of Tamil culture

This former capital of the Chola Empire is known for being a cultural center, especially for Carnatic music and Bharathanatyam, the traditional Tamil dance. The region is also renowned for manufacturing musical instruments such as the veena. The temple of Tanjore is regularly the scene of cultural events.

What to see in Tanjore?

From the heyday of this empire, we are left with its grand stone constructions, considered the best examples of classical Dravidian or South Indian architecture. You have to see in Tanjore the Great Chola Temples that include the sacred precincts of the capital, Gangaikonda cholapuram, and Darasuram. All three are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The three Hindu temples are dedicated to Shiva and are must-sees on a trip to South India.

Alangudi Guru Temple

Alangudi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Valangaiman taluk of the Tiruvarur district. Alangudi Temple is famous for being a holy site surrounded by three holy rivers Kaveri, Kolidam, and Vennaru. The Alangudi Guru Temple is dedicated to the Abtasahayasvara form of Shiva, who swallowed Vasuki Nag's poison during the ocean's churning to save humanity from its poison. The Alangudi temple has mythological significance along with ancient Hindu texts and beliefs. The Gurupayarchi festival is significant in this temple as it is considered the home of the planet Guru. There is a tradition of offering yellow clothes and yellow lentils to Guru Bhagwan.

Saraswati mahal

Saraswati Mahal is one of those places that you have to see in Thanjavur if you are passionate about books. This is Tamil Nadu's most extensive collection of ancient documents and artifacts from the 19th century. The library has more than 50,000 documents written on palm leaves. The access is dazzlingly colorful and was the work of Seforji II, one of the Maratha maharajas.

Swami Malai Temple - A great religious significance

The Swami Malai Temple is a sacred place for the Hindu community in South India. It is one of Murugan's six most prominent abodes, each representing six stages in his life. It is believed that Lord Murugan, his guru, gave his father, Lord Shiva, a deep understanding of the universe. The Swami Malai Temple itself follows the traditional Dravidian architecture of Tamil Nadu. The temple has a total of three gopurams or entrances. It is one of the best Thanjavur tourist places. The temple also celebrates all the important festivals associated with Murugan. A unique thing about the Swami Malai Temple is that the temple of Lord Murugan is at the top, even that of his parents, Shiva and Parvati. Lord Murugan had given the knowledge of Om to Shiva, but the latter had to listen to it by becoming a disciple of Shiva and accepting his son as his guru or teacher. The temple is about 8 km from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, which is very popular. You can get public transport to Kumbakonam from other parts of Thanjavur.

Shiva Ganga Garden - one of the significant places

Siva Ganga Garden is one of the significant places to visit in Thanjavur and is located inside the Vijayanagara Fort. This attractive garden remains open for tourists. Let us tell you that a square pond in Shiv Ganga Garden was constructed to provide water to the Tanjore Palace. This pond remains a source of water supply even in the present time. Tourists who spend time in solitude prefer to head towards Shiv Ganga Garden.

Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple

Bangaru Kamakshi Amman Temple, a Hindu temple located in Thanjavur's West Main Street, is the location. Its popularity is due to its history and legend. Bangaru is a term that means "gold." This refers to the deity's golden body. The temple's goddess face is black, as you can see if you go to it. It is one of the best Thanjavur tourist places. Many people from the surrounding areas visit this temple to worship Goddess Kamakshi. The idol of Goddess Kamakshi was located elsewhere when the priest brought her to the present place due to the attacks of foreign invasion. While bringing the idol from Kancheepuram to Thanjavur to hide the goddess from the eyes of destroyers and invaders, her face was covered with a black civet, locally known as Punugu. Bangaru Kamakshi Devi is the temple's central deity and resides in the sanctum sanctorum. The temple itself is simple and faces north.

Thanjai Mamani Koil

Thanjai Mamani Koil, a famous tourist spot in Tanjore, is a group of three temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is also known as Divyadesam. The Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu is mainly worshiped here. This temple is one of the 108 such temple complexes of Lord Vishnu in India. An attractive statue of Lord Narasimha is established here, which remains the center of faith of the devotees. Devotees can enjoy the unique pleasure of seeing the three abodes of Lord Vishnu in a single temple complex.

Bronze artisans in Tanjore

If you don't know how lost-wax bronzes were made, many workshops in the city continue to make them just as they were a thousand years ago. You can visit a demonstration of the metal artisans around the temple and on the outskirts of Tanjore. Sometimes it's hard to believe that everything sold in India is still handmade, but it is. Apart from the recommendations on what to see in Thanjavur, you have to include some of the historical places in the city's surroundings in your itinerary. These excursions can be done taking Thanjavur as a base or en route from Pondicherry or Madurai. If you have been left wanting more, remember that the set of Great Chola Temples includes two much lesser-known works and is very little crowded.

Best things to do in incredible Tanjore

Visit the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple

One cannot talk about Tanjore without mentioning its most famous landmark, the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Brihadeshwara Temple is the city's main attraction, and this temple is also known as Bada Mandir. The architecture of the temple is unique. Deep moats protect the temple on both sides, and the Grand Anicut River is popular among tourists visiting the temple. The temple's height is 216 feet, and the sanctum sanctorum in its structure is decorated with attractive paintings from the Chola and Nayaka periods. A beautiful massive statue of Nandi Bel is installed at the temple's entrance.

Watch a dance recital or concert at Brihadeeswarar Temple.

For a good reason, Tanjore is often called the cradle of the performing arts in Tamil Nadu. It was home to the ancient Chola kings, who were known for their support of the arts. The area around the city was crucial in developing many art forms, including Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. Bharatanatyam was codified in Tanjore, while the area around Tanjore was home to Saints Thyagaraja and Syama Sastri. The region was also home to Muthuswamy Dkshithar, the Trinity of Carnatic Music. It is still alive today, with Tanjore and its surrounding areas hosting numerous dance recitals and concerts. In particular, watching a dance recital or concert at Brihadeeswarar Temple is a must.

Take a trip to Sivagangai Poonga

Sivagangai Poonga, a popular tourist attraction in Tanjore, is one of the state's first amusement parks. In addition to water rides and landscaped gardens, the park also boasts a toy train and recreational boating facilities in the Sivagangai Reservoir, a historically significant body of water, said to have been built by the kings of Chola. It is situated near the Brihadeeswarar temple and is famous for picnics and other recreational activities.

Capture the beautiful corridors of the Maratha Palace in your eyes.

The history of Tanjore is unique in the annals of the region's history as it features a confluence between the Tamil and Maratha heritage. It has served as an important center for the kingdoms of Chola and Maratha at several points in history. The Maratha Palace is one of the most significant examples of Maratha's influence on the city. It is the historical residence of the Nayaks from Tanjore. This palace is most well-known for its role as the residence of the famous Bhonsle families. It boasts a unique architectural style with intricately designed durob.

Purchase Tanjore dolls and painting

Tanjore dolls and paintings are two of the best-known cultural identifiers of this region and boast a heritage dating back centuries. While Thanjavur dolls are famous for pioneering the art of making bobblehead dolls, Tanjore's style of painting played an essential role in influencing later Indian art forms and movements. The most popular destination for buying dolls and paintings is the market surrounding Brihadeeswarar Temple. However, it is advisable to purchase Tanjore paintings only from government-recognized showrooms to ensure authenticity.

See the oldest Schwartz Church.

The Schwartz Church of Thanjavur is one of the oldest churches in the region. It was built independently of the imperial administration, giving it a unique heritage—named after Friedrich Schwartz, a German Lutheran reverend known for being the first European expert in the Tamil language. Schwartz is believed to have been a teacher to King Maratha Serfoji in his youth. Serfoji was a patron of the church and even funded the construction of a Schwartz statue on his deathbed, with Serfoji by his side. It is known for its architecture and the inclusion of sculptures.

Learn about the Making of Tanjore crafts

If you are not content only with shopping but want to learn the crafts they are made of, there are several fascinating artisan shops that you can visit. This tour will take you to the making of Thanjavur dancing dolls and paintings, a bronze casting workshop, and the crafting of the traditional Tanjore Veena. It ends with a trip to the nearby historic town of Nachiarkoil, where hundreds of artisans are engaged in the ancient art of lamp-making.

Try the local cuisine of Tanjore.

Apart from its beautiful tourist destination and scenic temple, Thanjavur is also famous for its delicious food. The taste of the delicious food of Tanjore will always leave you watery. Let us know about the famous food of Thanjavur, which can be the essential thing in your Thanjavur trip. Food includes Rice, Sambar, Rasam, Sambar (Curry), Curd, Pickle, Dosa, Idli, Upma, Kesari, Parota, Pongal, Paisam, Sweet Pongal, Biryani, etc.

Where to Stay In Tanjore?

Suppose you are looking for a suitable abode after visiting Tanjore and its prominent tourist places. So let us tell you that in Tanjore you will find many good hotels from low-budget to high-budget. You can choose accommodation according to your convenience and budget.

• Ideal Riverview Resort
• Sangam Hotel, Thanjavur
• Sivamurugan Lodge
• Grand Ashok
• Hotel Victoria

Best time to visit Tanjore

The best time is during the winter and early summer between October and March, as pleasant climatic conditions around that time. Summer usually experiences scorching sun and high humidity, while light showers accompany monsoons. Here we will give you complete information about the Thanjavur tourism trip.

How to reach Tanjore?

Tanjore has a central position in Tamil Nadu. There are no air connections to Thanjavur, but you can fly to Chennai or Madurai and start your Tamil Nadu tour from there.

By Train
Tiruchirappalli is the nearest central railway station to Tanjore city. Trains from all the nearby cities like Coimbatore, Rameswaram, Chennai, Kanyakumari, Salem, and Madurai are connected to Tiruchirappalli via railways. Many superfast and express trains run here daily.
By Bus
The road network to Tanjore is very well developed, with roads connecting the city to major cities and towns such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli. Regular private and government bus services are also available for convenience.
By flight
The nearest airport to Tanjore city is Tiruchirappalli International Airport, which is at a distance of 1 hour. Regular taxis and some bus services ply between the two cities. It is well connected to all the country's major cities through regular flights. Buses and hired cabs are readily available from the airport to reach Tanjore.

Bottom lines

Tanjore, one of the most popular places in South India's Tamil Nadu state, rose to prominence under the Chola dynasty. The Nayaks made the following significant impact after the fall of Chola when they took Tanjore under their control in the 16th century. Their reign lasted for a century before being overthrown by the Bhonsles, a Maharashtra warrior Maratha family, who established their kingdom. All the rulers had one thing in common: patronage for arts and crafts. They have collectively transformed Tanjore into a distinct cultural center that continues cultivating artisans and artists. These top Tourist places in Tanjore reflect the city's heritage.