Best months
Per-day budget
₹700–1,150/day
Getting there
Thanjavur (Tanjore) is a city in Tamil Nadu, the ancient capital of the Chola kingdom. The Brihadeeswarar Temple (Rajarajeswaram) built by Raja Raja Chola I in 1010 CE is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest temples in India. The temple's vimana (tower) is 66 m high — the tallest in the world when built. Thanjavur is also known for the Thanjavur Palace (the Maratha palace with a museum), the Thanjavur paintings (gold-leaf paintings on wood), and the Thanjavur bronze statues (Chola bronzes in the museum). The Saraswati Mahal Library has a collection of 65,000+ manuscripts. It is a great destination for student backpackers looking for an affordable trip. The area is well-connected to major Indian cities by road, rail and air.
Plan your trip to Thanjavur Travel Guide — Chola Bronzes on a Budget
Search and compare prices — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Flights
Hotels & Hostels
Trains
Search train routes, schedules and fares across India.
Buses
Compare bus operators, schedules and prices.
Why go
The Brihadeeswarar Temple is the pinnacle of Chola architecture — the 66 m vimana is made of granite, assembled without mortar. The temple has a massive Nandi bull (6 m long) carved from a single stone. The wall paintings from the Chola period are partially visible. The temple is built with a unique shadow effect — the vimana's shadow never falls on the ground at noon. Thanjavur Palace is a 16th-century Maratha palace with the Durbar Hall, the art gallery (Chola bronze statues including the famous Nataraja), and the Raja Serfoji Memorial Hall. The Saraswati Mahal Library has palm-leaf manuscripts in Sanskrit, Tamil and Marathi. The Sangeetha Mahal is a music hall with amazing acoustics. The Schwartz Church is an 18th-century colonial church.
How to reach
Thanjavur has a railway station with direct trains from Chennai (6-7 hours, sleeper class ₹200-350) and Trichy (1 hour). The nearest airport is Trichy (60 km). Buses from Chennai (7-8 hours), Trichy and Madurai connect.
What a day costs
| Budget hotel | ₹500–800 |
| Food (Chettinad thali) | ₹150–250 |
| Temple entry | ₹0–0 |
| Palace museum entry | ₹50–100 |
When to go
October to March is best. November-February is pleasant (20-30°C). July-September is monsoon. April-June is hot. The temple festival (April-May) has a chariot procession.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Brihadeeswarar Temple
Arrive in Thanjavur. Visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple (allow 2 hours). Afternoon at the Thanjavur Palace and museum. Evening at the temple for the sunset view.
Day 2: Art and Culture
Visit the Saraswati Mahal Library. Visit the Thanjavur painting workshops. Visit Schwartz Church. Depart.
Student hacks
- ▸The Brihadeeswarar Temple has no entry fee — a UNESCO World Heritage Site free to all.
- ▸Thanjavur Palace entry is ₹50 — the Chola bronze collection is world-class.
- ▸Stay near the temple (₹500-700) — walking distance to all sites.
- ▸Bus from Trichy to Thanjavur costs ₹100-150 — the cheapest access.
- ▸Thanjavur paintings cost ₹200-500 for small pieces at the workshops near the palace.
Safety & permits
No permit needed. The temple is free to enter. The palace museum is closed on Friday. Cameras allowed in the temple courtyard. ATMs available.
FAQs
How do I reach Thanjavur from Delhi?
Flight to Trichy (3 hours, ₹3,000-6,000) then bus (1 hour, ₹100-150).
What is Thanjavur known for?
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Chola bronzes, Thanjavur paintings, Thanjavur Palace.
How many days do I need?
2 days — one for the temple, one for the palace and art.