22 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Thanjavur

At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station & 5 km from New Bus Station, the Brihadeeswarar Temple is ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur, Tamilnadu. It is one of the famous heritage places to visit in Tamilnadu, and among the must include places in Thanjavur packages.

Also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Periya Kovil, the Brihadeeswarar Temple is a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas in temple architecture. It was built in the year 1010 AD by the mighty Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola I. It remains one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture and also one of the best places to visit in Thanjavur. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as 'Great Living Chola Temples'.

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At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Railway Station, and 1.5 km from Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur Palace is a wonderful historical structure in the town of Thanjavur. It is one of the famous Thanjavur tourist places.

Also known as Maratha Palace or Nayak Palace, it was the official residence of the Maratha rulers from 1674 to 1855. It was constructed partly by Thanjavur Nayaks around 1550 CE and expanded by the Marathas. The palace is noted for its huge halls, spacious corridors, observation and arsenal towers, and a shady courtyard. This palace is a must-visit place for history buffs to understand the history and lifestyle of its rulers as part of Thanjavur tour.

The entrance to the palace is a large quadrangular courtyard which is encircled by walls with big gateways to the north and the east. The courtyard leads to a many-pillared hall. .....

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At a distance of 35 km from Mayiladuthurai, 43 km from Thanjavur, 54 km from Karaikal, 65 km from Nagapattinam, 72 km from Chidambaram, 105 km from Trichy, 129 km from Pondicherry, 235 km from Madurai, and 282 km from Chennai, Kumbakonam is one of the ancient temple town located amidst the two rivers Cauvery and Arasalar in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Kumbakonam is one of the top places to visit in Tamilnadu, and among the popular places to visit near Chennai.

Kumbakonam is known for its temples and mutts (monasteries) which are the main highlights of Kumbakonam tour packages. The name Kumbakonam in English means the Pot's Corner. In the olden days, it was called Thirukudamookku and it is also popularly called Kudanthai now. According to history, Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the .....

Distance (From Thanjavur): 43 Kms
Trip Duration (From Thanjavur - Including Travel): Full Day
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At a distance of 12 km from Thanjavur and 35 km from Kumbakonam, Thirukandiyur is a temple town situated in Tamilnadu. The major attraction of Thirukandiyur is the Temple of Hara Sapavimochana Kandeswarar. The temple of Thirukandiyur is considered one of the 108 Divyadesams and is also known as Pancha Kamala Kshetram. As per history, the temple was built by Emperor Mahabali and is located between Kudamurutti and Vennar Rivers.

According to a legend, Brahma became very arrogant and feet superior to Shiva. Brahma once visited Kailas to meet Shiva. Parvathi, the wife of Shiva got confused and performed pooja to Brahma instead of Shiva. Lord Shiva plucked off one head of Brahma to avoid the confusion between the two. This resulted in Shiva incurring a Brahmahathya dosha. The skull of Brahma stuck to the hands of Shiva which he could not separate despite all efforts. All the food offered to him was consumed by the skull and it was never .....

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At a distance of 13 kms from Thanjavur & 312 Kms from Chennai, Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district is situated on the banks of the river Kaveri. Thiruvaaiyaru has an old Shiva temple dedicated to Panchanatheeswar. However, it's more famous for association with Thyagaraja, the Saint Composer,

The Panchanatheesvarar Temple dedicated to Shiva sprawls over a 14-acre campus and is both grand and serene. Beyond the temple are lush paddy fields and groves. The temple is about 1 Km from Thiruvaiyaru town centre. Timings - 6 AM to 12 PM and 4-9 PM.

Thyagaraja is a composer of Carnatic music, who along with his contemporaries Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri forms the Trinity of Carnatic. He composed hundreds of devotional songs, most of them in praise of the Hindu god Rama in Telugu language.

Near the Shiva temple is the one-roomed house where Tyagaraja composed some of his greatest works. On the banks of river is the samadhi of the saint where music festival takes place .....

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At a distance of 2 km from Thiruvarur Junction, 40 km from Kumbakonam, 39 km from Karaikal and 62 km from Thanjavur, Thiruvarur is a famous temple town known for Sri Thyagaraja Temple is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is the fore most form of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams.

Thyagaraja Swamy temple was first constructed by Aditya Chola I in 9th century. The temple was upgraded and rebuilt with stone by Rajendra Chola I in 11th century. The later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar rulers. This temple is one of the biggest in the country and has the biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu.

Sri Vanmikanathar (Lord Shiva) is the presiding deity of the temple. According to the legend, Vishnu worshipped Shiva in the form of Somaskanda, associated with Ajapa dance. Shiva is said to have appeared in an anthill to Vishnu. So, no abishekam is performed for Vanmikanathar. Daily poojas are offered to a small idol referred .....

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At a distance of 1 km from Velankanni Railway Station, 31 km from Karaikal, 93 km from Thanjavur, 11 km from Nagapattinam, 161 km from Pondicherry, and 313 km from Chennai, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is located in Velankanni town of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal, this is one of the most popular Christian pilgrimage in South India, and among the famous places to visit as part of Thanjavur trip.

The Roman Catholic Latin Rite Basilica of Velankannin is devoted to Our Lady of Good Health. The Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni is one of the most frequented religious sites in Tamilnadu. It can be traced back to the mid-16th century and is attributed to three miracles at different sites around where the Basilica currently stands. The appearance of Mary and Christ Child to a shepherd boy, the curing of .....

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At a distance of 14 km from Karaikal, 85 Kms from Thanjavur, 9 Kms from Nagapattinam & 291 Kms from Chennai, Nagore is famous for a Muslim dargah dedicated to the 16th century saint Meeran Sahib.

The Nagore Dargah shrines are situated at three locations, Nagore, Vanjur and Silladi. The main campus is at Nagore, spread over an area of about five acres, which is enclosed by compound wall, with four impressive entrances, one each on the north, south, east and west. In front of the western gate, just outside the compound, is a large tower, 131 feet tall, called 'Periya Minara'. Nagore Dargah literature discloses that Tanjore King Pratap Singh built -Periya Minara- around 1760 AD, about 200 years after the death of Meeran Sahib. He is said to have built it in appreciation of having received the grace of Meeran Sahib.

Although this is a Muslim religious place, the dargah's rituals and architecture are influenced by Hinduism. Kandhuri .....

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At a distance of 106 Kms from Thanjavur and 47 Kms from Nagapattinam (which is 85 Kms from Thanjavur), Vedaranyam, located near Point Calimere is famous for Vedaranyeswarar temple dedicated to Shiva. The goddess is Vedanayaki and Veenavada vibhooshini. It is said that Parvati is supposed to have defeated Sarawati in the tuning of the Veena at this place.

It is said that during the deluge the Vedas along with the puranas, agamas, smritis and sastra took shelter under this linga and were protected. After the deluge the four Vedas along with the puranas worshipped the linga after bathing in a tank made by them. When Siva appeared, the Vedas requested Siva to let them stay there as trees and plants and others and the place are known as Vedaranyam. The tank that they had built be known as Vedamrita.

This is the only Shiv temple which has the Lord Shiv and Parvati in their whole wedding costume. The temple has fine paintings and sculptural work done on it.

Timings:6AM-1PM .....

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At a distance of 56 km from Nagapattinam, 115 km from Thanjavur, & 354 km from Chennai, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is a coastal island sanctuary situated near Vedaranyam in the Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu. Also known as Kodikkarai Wildlife Sanctuary, it is one of the famous places of wildlife in Tamilnadu, and among the major Thanjavur tourist places to visit.

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is a 21.47 sq. km protected area situated along the Palk Strait where it meets the Bay of Bengal at Point Calimere. The sanctuary was created in 1967 for the conservation of the least concerned blackbuck antelope, an endemic mammal species of India. The 7 sq. km core area of this sanctuary has been proposed as a National Park. It is one of the must-visit places for wildlife enthusiasts as part of their Thanjavur tour packages.

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At a distance of 20 km from Karaikal, 85 Kms from Thanjavur & 298 Kms from Chennai, Nagapattinam is a coastal town on Bay of Bengal and is a district headquarters.

This place is also famous for its temples. There are few famous temples in Nagapattinam - The Shri Kayahorana Swami Neelayathatchi Amman Temple, Sowriraja Perumal Temple, and Nellukkadai Mariamman Temple.

The long and clear beaches of Nagapattinam attract large crowds on evenings.

This favourite town of Chola Kings was also celebrated later by Vijayanagara Kings. The Portuguese had a commercial contact with this town during the rule of the Thanjavur Nayak Sevvappa Nayakkar and Acchuthappa Nayakkar.

There are several historical and pilgrimage places around Nagapattinam.

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At a distance of 57 km from Thanjavur, 133 km from Madurai, 212 km from Coimbatore, and 334 km from Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, also called Tiruchi or Trichy is the 4th largest city and administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli district in Tamilnadu. Situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, Trichy is one of the famous Tourist places in Tamilnadu.

Tiruchirappalli is home to numerous historical monuments and temples that attract tourist and pilgrims from all parts of the country throughout the year as part of Trichy tour packages. The history of Tiruchirappalli begins in the 3rd century BC, when it was under the rule of the Cholas. It was a stronghold of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. Trichy continued to be in the possession of Cholas until .....

Distance (From Thanjavur): 57 Kms
Trip Duration (From Thanjavur - Including Travel): Full Day
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Distance (From Thanjavur): 62 Kms
Trip Duration (From Thanjavur - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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At a distance of 6.5 Kms from Thanjavur town, the Punnai Nallur Mariamman temple located in Punnai Nallur village is one of the famous temples around Thanjavur District. The temple was build by Maratta rulers of Thanjavur.

In the year 1680, the Maratta ruler Venkoji Maharaja Chatrapati (1676 - 1688) of Thanjavur was on a pilgrimage to Samayapuram Mariamman near Thiruchirappalli. After he returned to Thanjavur, Mariamman appeared on his dream and mentioned that she is residing at the Punnai forest 5 km on the east direction of Thanjavur. The King went and saw a white-ant hill and started building a temple around it. The Maratta rulers Thulaja, Serfoji also contributed to construction of the temple.

Originally the Amman was in the form of white-ant hill. The Great saint Sadhasiva Brammendra swamy shaped the white-ant hill into a form of Mariamman and also installed a powerful Chakra.

Timings: 6 AM - 8.30 PM.

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At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station & 0.5 km from Old Bus Station, the Art Gallery is located within Thanjavur Palace. The gallery houses a treasured collection of bronze icons, stone sculptures and other artifacts, which today stand testimony to that golden age in Tamil history.

The gallery is situated in the second part of the palace behind bell tower. The galley consists of Stone sculptures arrange in a hall at the entrance and in the hall towards southern side of the complex near Manimandapam. The bronze sculptures inside the Nayak's Durbar Hall showcase excellent craftsmanship. Durbar Hall is an excellent structure with beautiful paintings & sculptures on upper part of the walls and the ceiling. The hall also houses a marble sculpture of Raja Serfoji, popular Maratha ruler.

The examples of art that we see today at this gallery are the finest. Most of the pieces belong to Chola period between the 9th and the 13th centuries AD, to the post-Chola .....

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At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station & 0.5 km from Old Bus Station, Sangeet Mahal is located within Thanjavur Palace behind Royal Museum.

Sangeet Mahal, or Hall of Music, on the first floor has a fine auditorium with excellent acoustics. It was used for cultural activities and public audiences. The walls and ceiling are intricately painted. This is a fine auditorium with perfect acoustics, revealing the engineering skill of the ancient builders.

The dome at the center of the hall between four pillars has beautiful sculptures on four corners above the pillars. The small mandapa on elevated platform attached to the wall was the seat of the king while participating in the events. There is a painting of a Maratha ruler on the wall behind the mandapa.

The colors on the walls are partly faded away and efforts are needed to restore them. There is a wooden corridor in front of the mandapa.

Timings: 10 AM to 1 PM & 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM

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At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station & 0.5 km from Old Bus Station, Saraswati Mahal Library is located within Thanjavur Palace in front of Royal Museum. This library has one of the most important oriental manuscripts collections, in India.

Established around 1700 AD, the library contains a collection of over 44,000 palm leaf, and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages. Over eighty per cent of its manuscripts are in Sanskrit, many on palm leaves, some very rare or even unique. The Tamil works includes treatises on medicine, and commentaries on works from the Sangam period.

The library is wonderfully decorated with color paintings in the exterior and interior walls and ceiling. The upper section of the front side wall has an image of Goddess Saraswathi.

Timings: 10 AM to 1 PM & 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM

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At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Railway Station & 750 km from Old Bus Station & 500 meters from Brihadeeswarar Temple, Schwartz Church, also known as Fort Church, is located near Brihadeeswarar Temple in the Thanjavur Palace garden just north of the Sivaganga Tank, was built by Raja Serfoji in 1779 in appreciation of his teacher, the Danish missionary FC Schwartz who died in 1798.

When Schwartz died in 1798, Serfoji II, the Maratha ruler donated a striking piece of white marble that was made by John Flaxman and this is seen at the western end of the Schwartz church. The marble piece has engravings showing the dying missionary, blessing King Serfoji surrounded by his ministers.

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At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station & 0.5 km from Old Bus Station, Royal Museum located within Thanjavur Palace portraits items used by the royal family such as weapons, costumes and musical instruments. The entrance to the Royal Museum runs through the Saraswathi Mahal Library.

The museum is located in the first part of the palace near the entrance. Once you enter into the complex, the museum is situated on the left side in an old enclosure. The collection includes Wooden Camphor boxes, Locks, Elephant's Ankush, Utensils, Weapons, Chariot, etc.

Further into the complex past Sangeet Mahal, the Maratha Durbar Hall is a large hall with a courtyard used as for official court by the Maratha rulers of Thanjavur. The Darbar hall was built by Sahaji in the year 1684. The front mandapa of the hall is having wooden lean to the reef covered with tiles. The ceiling of the hall is painted with ten avataras of Lord Vishnu.

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At a distance of 33 Kms from Thanjavur, this Basilica in Poondi village is a Roman catholic pilgrim center. It attracts pilgrims from all over India. Accommodation is provided to the pilgrims by the church authorities. People of all faiths visit this church.

In the beginning of the eighteenth century (1714-1718) a great Italian Jesuit missionary named Rev. Fr. Constantine Joseph Beschi S.J., popularly known as Veeramamunivar, built a church and named it as the church of 'Mary Queen of Immaculate Conception'. The shrine was popularly known as Poondi Matha shrine.

Poondi Madha Shrine has been raised to the level of Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II on 3rd August 1999.

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At a distance of 65 Kms from Thanjavur (near Peravurani town towards the Bay of Bengal), Manora is a popular picnic spot and a coastal town in Thanjavur district.

Manora is known for the eight-storied miniature fortress built by Rajah Serfoji in 1814. This 75-foot tower is hexagonal in shape and skirted by a moat. It is built in honor of Britain's victory over Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo.

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At a distance of 42 km Chidambaram, 76 km from Thanjavur, 110 km from Trichy & 268 km from Chennai, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a historical town situated near Chidambaram. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the must visit places during Chidambaram tour.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram became the capital of Cholas during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in 1025 CE and served as the Chola capital for around 250 years. This historical town is home to the renowned Brihadeeswarar Temple. It was built by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola. This temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Living Chola Temples'.

Rajendra Chola I has established this temple after his great victories in Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan and assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with .....

Distance (From Thanjavur): 76 Kms
Trip Duration (From Thanjavur - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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