Tamil Nadu · Chola temples · Heritage
Thanjavur
Thanjavur was the capital of the Chola kings and is home to the Brihadeeswarar Temple, part of the UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples. It is about 390 km from Mysuru, about 9 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1 day here. October to March is the usual season for Thanjavur, and December to February is the coolest stretch, with days around 28-32°C.
Why travellers go
The temple, the palace complex and Tanjore painting traditions make it a key stop for heritage travellers.
- Suggested time
- 1 day
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Good for
- Chola temples, Heritage
Best-known sights in Thanjavur
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple): A granite Shiva temple built by Chola emperor Rajaraja I and completed in 1010 CE, with a 63.4 m tower and a large monolithic Nandi. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1987. Allow about 2 hours.
- Thanjavur Maratha Palace: The former home of the Bhonsle family, who ruled the region from 1674 to 1855, with a lifelike statue of King Serfoji and an art gallery. Allow about 2 hours with the library.
- Saraswathi Mahal Library: A library in the palace grounds, started around 1700, holding more than 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts.
- Schwartz Church: A church built in 1779 by Serfoji II in the palace garden.
- Sivaganga Park: A park and tank just east of the Big Temple, laid out in 1871-72, with a children's play area, a small train and boating.
- Rajaraja Chola Mani Mandapam: A museum of Chola-era finds, coins, maps and statues, with a tower you can climb for a view over the city.
- Punnainallur Mariamman Temple: An old temple to the goddess Amman, about 5 km from the city. A visit takes about 30 minutes.
- Thiruvaiyaru: A temple town about 12-13 km away, with the shrine of the composer Tyagaraja and the Tyagaraja Aradhana music festival.
- Airavatesvara Temple: A Chola temple about 40 km north-east of Thanjavur, added to the Great Living Chola Temples World Heritage listing in 2004.
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram: A Chola temple about 70 km north-east of Thanjavur, also part of the Great Living Chola Temples World Heritage listing since 2004.
How many days do you need in Thanjavur?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple)
- Thanjavur Maratha Palace and Saraswathi Mahal Library
- Sivaganga Park
- Schwartz Church
Two days
- Day 1: Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple), Sivaganga Park, Schwartz Church
- Day 2: Thanjavur Maratha Palace and Saraswathi Mahal Library, Rajaraja Chola Mani Mandapam, Punnainallur Mariamman Temple, Visit a Tanjore painting artist
Three days
- Day 1: Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple), Sivaganga Park, Schwartz Church
- Day 2: Thanjavur Maratha Palace and Saraswathi Mahal Library, Rajaraja Chola Mani Mandapam, Punnainallur Mariamman Temple
- Day 3: Airavatesvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Thiruvaiyaru
How to reach Thanjavur from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 380 km, about 6-7 hours by road. Bus routes on this run go via Salem.
- By train
- A direct daily train (16232) runs from Mysuru Junction to Thanjavur, taking about 13 hours. thanjavur.nic.in lists Mysore among Thanjavur's direct rail links.
- By bus
- No direct bus is listed. Change at Salem or Bengaluru; the full trip takes about 12 hours.
- By air
- No airport in Thanjavur. Tiruchirappalli International Airport is about 56-61 km away.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- About 390 km, about 8 hours, on NH 44 via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem, then via Namakkal and Tiruchirappalli.
- By train
- Thanjavur Junction has daily trains to Bengaluru.
- By bus
- State and private buses run from Bengaluru, taking about 9 hours, with overnight options.
- By air
- Tiruchirappalli International Airport is the nearest airport, about 56-61 km from Thanjavur, then by road.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Thanjavur
October to March is the usual season for Thanjavur, and December to February is the coolest stretch, with days around 28-32°C. April to July is very hot, with highs of 36-38°C. Most rain falls with the northeast monsoon from October to December.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Warm and mostly dry, about 20-30°C The Tyagaraja Aradhana music festival at Thiruvaiyaru, about 13 km away, falls in January or February. |
| Feb | Dry, about 22-33°C |
| Mar | Hot and dry, about 23-36°C |
| Apr | Very hot, about 26-37°C Plan temple visits for early morning or evening. |
| May | Hottest month, about 27-39°C |
| Jun | Very hot, little rain, about 27-37°C |
| Jul | Hot, about 26-36°C |
| Aug | Hot with some showers, about 26-36°C Average rain about 113 mm. |
| Sep | Hot with showers, about 25-35°C Average rain about 124 mm. |
| Oct | Northeast monsoon begins, about 24-32°C Average rain about 203 mm. Sathaya Thiruvizha, Raja Raja Chola's birthday festival, is held in October. |
| Nov | Wettest month, about 23-30°C Average rain about 289 mm. |
| Dec | Cooler with showers, about 22-29°C Average rain about 137 mm. |
Tips for visiting Thanjavur
- Agree on the auto-rickshaw fare before you set off; tourist cabs suit trips to temples outside town.
- Buses from Madurai and Tiruchirappalli may stop at the New Bus Stand, about 4 km from the centre; town buses run into the city.
- If a direct train does not suit, Tiruchirappalli has more train options and is about 1.5 hours away by cab.
- Tanjore paintings and dolls are the local crafts; bargain when buying art.
Photos
Travel Trendzz and Thanjavur
Travel Trendzz has no published package for Thanjavur yet. The team plans custom trips; ask for a quote with your dates and group. For a car with a driver from Mysuru, see taxi service in Mysore.
Questions about Thanjavur
What is the best time to visit Thanjavur?
October to March is a good time to visit Thanjavur, and December to February is the coolest, at about 22-32°C. April to July is very hot, with highs near 37-38°C. October to December brings the northeast monsoon, with about 290 mm of rain in November.
How many days are enough for Thanjavur?
One to two days are enough for Thanjavur town. One day covers the Big Temple, the Maratha Palace, Saraswathi Mahal Library and Sivaganga Park. With a third day you can see the two other Great Living Chola Temples, the Airavatesvara Temple and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, about 40 and 70 km away.
How far is Thanjavur from Mysuru and Bengaluru?
Thanjavur is about 390 km from Bengaluru, about 8 hours by road on NH 44 via Salem and Tiruchirappalli. From Mysuru it is about 380 km by road. A direct daily train runs from Mysuru to Thanjavur and takes about 13 hours.
Is Thanjavur good for families and couples?
Yes. Thanjavur suits families and couples who enjoy history, temples and art. Families can visit the Big Temple, the palace museums and Sivaganga Park, which has a small train and boating. Couples often enjoy evenings at the temple, Tanjore painting studios and day trips to the other Chola temples.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Thanjavur?
Not a published one. The team plans custom trips to Thanjavur on request.
Places near Thanjavur
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Temple city · 1–2 days
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Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.
Plan your Thanjavur trip
Tell the trip planner your dates, group and budget. Nothing is booked until you confirm with the team.
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