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TravelTips24 : Asia : South Asia : India : Southern India : Tamil Nadu : Thanjavur

Thanjavur

Thanjavur (or 'Thanjai') or tanjore is 342 KM from Chennai the capital of the state Tamilandu, India. Thanjai is considered to be the granary and 'rice bowl' of Tamil Nadu. It is the district headquarters by the same name.

Pronounce : Than-jaa-voor. It is sometime referred as Tanjavur(wrong) or Thanjavoor.

Culture and History

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 important landmark in Thanjavur is the great Brahadeeswara Temple also known as the Big Temple, it was built by Raja Raja Chola - I. It is one of the most magnificent piece of South Indian temple architecture. Established in 1011 AD in celebration of 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 as the rice bowl of tamil nadu but also as a cultural head quarters. Though the Thanjavur district is dominated by agriculture, the town is diverse in its own, Having a literacy percentage of more that 75% and a homogenous mix of population of all religions.

Travel to Thanjavur & Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Thanjavur

Nearest airport is Tiruchirapally. There are direct flights from Chennai, Bangalore and Colambo.

By rail

Thanjavur is also reachable by train from other Indian cities. 'Thanjavur Junction' is the station to alight. There are daily trains from/to [[Chennai], Bangalore, Coimbatore and to all main cities]. For train timings and on-line reservations (within India) visit the IRCTC's website.

Buses to Thanjavur

There are several state and private buses that ply daily from Pattukkottai, Kumbakonam, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Thiruchi. The journey from Bangalore and Chennai takes about 9 hours and there are over-night buses.

Tours & Getting around Thanjavur

  • Auto Rickshaws - negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand.
  • Tourist Cabs - Are the best choice in case you want to tour the temples around Thanjavur. Drivers don't follow a fixed method for charging. But its wise to negotiate at least the rates that are applicable in Chennai
  • cycle Richshaws - Though not popular among the locals, foreign travellers usually hire cycle richsaws to go around thanjavur.One can enquire the hotel's service desk for help.

Thanjavur attractions and sightseeing

  • Brahadeshwara Temple

This is the most important place to see in Thanjavur. This is a must see.One can enjoy the architecture of the whole temple and also the cute little garden on the temple's backyard.If you are intrested in painting, then this is one of the best in India.

  • Palace & Saraswathi Mahal Library

The saraswathi mahal libraray poccess, very old manuscripts mostly tamil and sanskrit. The libraray situtated inside the Saraboji palace, contains many rare paintings depicting various indian cities during the reign of king Saraboji.

  • Siva Ganga Garden

Its a cute little park , sandwiched between the Brahadeshwara Temple and the schwartz church.To be a local to thanjavur and being a frequent vistor to the park I can only say the park is pleasent,very pleasent.There is children playing area at the heart of the park,very good to watch the innocent laughs and smile,has a cute little train and also a theppakulam ( a temple in the middle of pond). boating is also available in the pond. In a nutshell a pleasent place to relax in the evenning hours, listening to birds.

  • Art Gallery
  • Sangeetha Mahal
  • Schwartz Church - This church was constructed by rev.Schwartz, the church more than 200 years old.Though nothing much great about the artistic work ,the church is still operational under the CSI Trichy-Tanjore Diocease.It is good to attend the morning service which is conducted in English, every Sunday at 7.00 AM.
  • Ragavendra Temple

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.

Thanjavur city tours

Learn

  • Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA)
  • Raja Sharfoji Govt College of Arts And Science.
  • Kundavai Nachiyaar Govt College of Arts And Science.
  • Dr.S.R.J.College Of Education.

Thanjavur souvenirs & shopping

Thanjavur is famous for its 'Thanjavur dancing doll' (Thanjavur Thalai attu bommai) and 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 wide range of artistic bronze idols, thanjavur paintings and artistic plates.Its been a hot spot for the foreign travellers.

Thanjavur Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Budget

Mid-range

  • Hotel Sangamam- The Best Hotel in thanjavur.
  • Mullai, Hotel Oriental Towers, 2889, Srinivasam Pillai Road, Cuisine - Multicuisine-one of the few places place here where you get continental food but the food is overpriced..
  • Marutham,Oriental Towers, 2889, Srinivasam Pillai Road, Cuisine - South Indian

Normal-range Non-Veg - Sathars-they are good at mughal dishes but basically all the curries taste the same.very rich oily gravies.try this out if you are not too worried about your waist line!

Thevars-The best biriyani in d town

Dheen garden-the only place where you get grilled chicken.the food is decent.Tandoori chicken is yum.and the portion they serve is very good.check out theirmurthapa.it is delicious.THIS PLACE IS IN NEW BUS STAND

Rice bowl(pla)-they serve awesome chinese food and their starters also pretty good

Popular-this is the cheapest among the lot and the chinese dishes are nice.and yes all the dishes taste different

Veg - Venkata Lodge , Karthik, Krishna , Bombay Sweets, Krishna Sweets

Thanjavur nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Budget

Mid-range

  • Banam, Oriental Towers, 2889, Srinivasam Pillai Road

Splurge

Thanjavur cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

Budget

  • Hotel Karthik has double rooms at 370rs and single at 200rs. Airconditioned rooms cost 600rs. This is somewhat old hotel and cleanliness is 3 on the scale of 5, but is just a 5 minute walk away from Bridhadeeswara Temple and 10 minute walk from the palace. Has restaurant in the ground floor where food is good south indian vegetarian cuisine.

Mid-range

  • Hotel Sangamam - Near Ramanadhan Hospital

Splurge

  • Oriental Towers, 2889, Srinivasam Pillai Road, Thanjavur - 613001 Ph - 24724, Fax - 22770
  • Parisutham,
  • Temple Tower Near Membalam
  • Oriental Towers
  • Hotel Ramanath, has double bedrooms at 450 and single at 270. Clean rooms and a decent place to stay. This hotel is just next to Hotel Karthik (near Old Bus Stand, Thanjavur).

Get out

This page was last edited at 08:46, on 21 October 2008 by Rajkumar Selvakumar. Based on work by Ravi Putcha and Ravikiran Rao, Wikitravel user(s) Shaund and The Yeti, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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