The state of Tamil Nadu in South India has always been the spiritual stage for tourists, and so do its towns. Book our Tanjore tour packages to find out why we are saying this. Tanjore is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, snuggled in the fertile Cauvery Delta, and has the reputation of housing ancient intricate temples.
Tanjore is one of the 32 districts of Tamil Nadu and is considered a famous spiritual destination. Legends of this town state that it was named after the demon who was later killed by Lord Vishnu. Some facts claim that the city’s name is derived from the fact that it is surrounded by rivers and green paddy fields.
Also called Thanjavur, the city houses dozens of temples along with several artifacts and handicrafts shops. The Tanjore paintings, handloom silk, cotton saris, and paintings, bronze, brass idols, and jewelry are the must-buy things when returning from Tanjore.
Accommodations and restaurants are scattered around the city, and tourists won’t find any dull moments on their trip to Thanjavur. Tanjore is also called the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu because of its reputation as the prominent center of rice cultivation in the state.
Historically, the cultural capital of Tami Nadu gained a reputation during the reign of the Cholas during the 11th to 14th century. Several sacred shrines were built during this period, and thus, Thanjavur was shot into prominence as the capital of Chola Kings. Brihadeeswarar Temple personifies the fact that Tanjore stands testimony to the wealth and supreme reign of the Cholas empire.
After the Chola Kings, several dynasties like the Pandavas, Vijaynagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks, Thanjavur Marathas, and British Empire ruled this region. But it was the Cholas Kings under whom the Tanjore region experienced great heights of glory.
Book a wide range of Tanjore tour packages at Indian Holiday and explore Thiruvaiyaru. It is located a little outside of the main town, around 55 kilometers (approx.), and is the best place to witness Thanjavur’s culture, music, and art.
Before you explore Tamil Nadu’s cultural capital, learn everything to know about it!
Why Visit Tanjore On the Next Tamil Nadu Trip?
To unfold historical importance and cultural significance. Tanjore is the birthplace of ancient and modern South Indian civilization. Tourists here would love their visit because of the agricultural vegetation and timber production. Lush green paddy fields are drenched around the town, which gives shutterbugs the reason to visit Tanjore.
Hardly there are not many sites left in India which still have temples and relics preserved. And guess what? Thanjavur is amongst one of those places. If you want to witness the astounding historical splendor of Tamil Nadu, you should visit Tanjore on a Tamil Nadu trip.
Places to Visit in Tanjore to Cherish the Bygone Era Ruled By Several Dynasties
From the capital town of Chennai, Tanjore is around 345 kilometers (approx.), and one could reach it within 7-8 hours (approx.). An exploration of this town of Tami Nadu will allow you to dive deep into the history and historical splendor of the unexplored towns.
Most of the places to visit in Tanjore depict the glory of the Chola Kings, including temples. But as we said, the Tanjore region was ruled by several other dynasties whose blueprint could still be witnessed in Thanjavur (Tanjore). Have a look at the attractions to visit in Tanjore on your next trip:
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram: Chola King - Rajendra commissioned this architectural marvel to commemorate this victory over the Pali dynasty.
- Brihadeeswara Temple: UNESCO has crowned this temple in its tentative list of World Heritage Sites because dozens of lingam carved onto the stone structure.
- Thanjavur Royal Palace: This place was the erstwhile residence of Nayak Kings. Inside the grand palace, explore Nayak Hall, Saraswati Mahal Library, and the durbar hall.
- Thanjavur Art Gallery: Introduce yourself to the collection of flawless Tanjore paintings at Thanjavur Art Gallery. It houses legendary Tanjore Dolls, also.
- Saraswati Mahal Library: Explore Asia’s one of the oldest libraries that harbor a legendary treasure trove of rare collections of palm leaf manuscripts. Tourists can view some manuscripts on special requests.
- PunnaiNallur Mariamman Temple: Flawless Dravidian architecture awaits you at PunnaiNallur Mariamman Temple. Here the temple of the goddess is Mariamman.
When is The Best Time and Season to Visit Tanjore?
Generally speaking, the best time and season to visit Tanjore is during winter (November through early March) and the early summer (May to June). Both winter and early summer bring good temperature and climate for sightseeing.
Not to mention, an abundance of greenery will erase all your summer blues if you consider the best season to go to Tanjore in winter and early summer. However, the onset of monsoon (July till September) is another great time to visit Tanjore amidst the downpour.
What Are the Things to Do in Tanjore
Admiring the Tanjore paintings for its delicate structure is one of the top things to do in Tanjore. The Tanjore paintings are a perfect amalgamation of gold foil and intricate design. Consider yourself lucky if you have got an opportunity of exploring the unexplored cultural side of Tamil Nadu at Tanjore.
The Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu has been shaped by several dynasties, including Cholas, Nayaks, and Marathas. Explore the art, culture, and historical monuments set up by the reign dynasties in Tanjore to unlock the most popular things to do in Tanjore:
- Marvel the architectural grandeur of the temples
- Go inside the lavish Royal Palace Complex to taste royalty like never before
- Shop distinctive Thanjavur style paintings and dolls
- Go on village-hopping tours to learn about the making of Tanjore’s handicrafts
- Relish local South Indian cuisines to drool over your mind
How to Reach Tanjore?
If you are coming from the towns within Tamil Nadu, the transportation within the city won’t be the concern. But if you come from long-distance locations across India or international destinations, there are commute ways to know before choosing. Scroll on!
- By Air: Tanjore doesn't have its own airport, and the nearest airport to reach is Tiruchirappalli International Airport. It is 63 kilometers/1 hours (approx.). The airport is well connected with domestic flights along with international flights from Dubai and Singapore.
- By Train: One needs to go outside the main town around 60 kilometers/1 hours (approx.) to Trichy Junction, the nearest railway station to Tanjore. It is well connected with prominent Indian destinations like Varanasi, Coimbatore, Rameshwaram, Delhi, Mumbai, etc.
- By Road: Considering that you are coming from Chennai, cab, self-driven cars, and local state buses are the options to reach Tanjore. Not only from Chennai, but towns like Rameshwaram, Trivandrum, Mannargurddi, and Pattukkottai are a handful of destinations that are well connected via road.
