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City in Tamil Nadu, India
Photo: Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Thanjavur (Tamil: தஞ்சாவூர் Tanjāvūr), also known as Thanjai or Tanjore, is a historic Chola-era city in Tamil Nadu, 342 km from Chennai. It is also considered the granary and 'rice bowl' of Tamil Nadu.
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Rajarajesvaram or Big 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 in the temple's backyard. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is built by Rajaraja Chola I. Hundreds of lingams are in the pillared cloister. The sanctum sanctorum has a huge Shiva lingam, an immense stone Nandi, and two live elephants to bless the pilgrims.
Outer most entrance.
Outer most gopuram.
Inner gopuram.
Main temple of the complex)
This church was constructed by Rev. Schwartz more than 200 years ago. Though there is nothing much great about the artistic work, the church is still operational under the CSI Trichy-Tanjore Diocese. The morning service which is conducted in English takes place every Sunday at 7:00.
Opened in 2021, the museum is dedicated to food and how the human race transitioned from hunter-gatherers to food producers.
Tanjore Paintings or Thanjavur Paintings
Art exposition of bronzes and statues of the Chola period. The ticket gives also access to the construction of the palace with a nice view of the town.
Very good traditional, authentic vegetarian restaurant. In the morning, delicious dosas & idly are served; for lunch, the thali is served on a banana leaf. ₹110 for biryani (updated 2022).
Very good traditional (especially pongal, adai, aviyal), authentic vegetarian restaurant.
Very nice traditional food. Always full of people in the morning for breakfast.
Very good veg, non-veg and halal restaurant. Indian and Chinese food.
They are good at Mughal dishes. Very rich gravies. Try this out if you are not too worried about your waist line.
Hotel Oriental Towers
Vegetarian South Indian cuisine.
Hotel Oriental Towers
Multicuisine, one of the few places place here where you get continental food but the food is overpriced.
Very good sweets and special spicy savouries.
Ghee murukku and good Indian-style cakes.
Excellent vada and bhajjis; also cheap wholesome sweets and savouries.
Clean and modern, it offers a good price quality ratio. A/C and non-A/C rooms are available with TV and hot water.
Located in the center of the town. Only A/C rooms.
Handmade Thanjavur Art Paintings
Gallery of hand made Tanjore Paintings with gold, gemstones & unique 3D embossing art work.
By train
Thanjavur is also reachable by train from other Indian cities. {{Station|Thanjavur Junction|city=india|sr}} is the station to alight.
By bus
There are several state and private buses that ply daily from Mannargudi, Pattukkottai, Kumbakonam, Pondicherry, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli.
By tourist cab
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.
By cycle rickshaw
Though not popular among the locals, foreign travellers usually hire cycle rickshaws to go around Thanjavur. One can inquire about the hotel's service desk for help.
By town bus
Town buses are the cheapest means of transport for moving within the town. The maximum price of a ticket is less than ₹20.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tiruchirappalli · International · TRZ
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