Thanjavur

Brihadeeswarar Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the greatest achievement of Chola architecture, built by Emperor Rajaraja Chola I and completed in 1010 CE. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was constructed entirely in granite — approximately 130,000 tonnes of granite — in just seven years.

Timing: Open daily, 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Open in Maps

Thanjavur Palace

A palace complex on the eastern side of the Brihadeeswarar Temple. The palace contains Rajaraja Chola Art Gallery — a large collection of stone, bronze sculptures from the 9th to 12th centuries CE and the Saraswathi Mahal Library, established around 1700 CE, contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper.

Timing: Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Entry Fee: ₹50 (cash at counter)
Open in Maps

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

A temple and ruined capital city approximately 70 km north of Thanjavur, built by Rajendra Chola I around 1035 CE. Rajendra built this temple to commemorate his military campaign to the Ganges — hence the name (Gangaikonda = he who took the Ganges).

Timing: Open daily, 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Open in Maps

Airavatesvara Temple

A 12th century Chola temple in Darasuram village, 25 km from Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja Chola II around 1166 CE. Part of the UNESCO Great Living Chola Temples inscription. The temple is named after the divine white elephant Airavata, the vehicle of Indra, who is believed to have worshipped the Shivalinga here.

Timing: Open daily, 6:00 AM – 12:40 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Open in Maps

Metro in Thanjavur

Not available.

Local buses in Thanjavur

Not practical. City buses run but routes are difficult to navigate without local knowledge.

Ride-hailing apps in Thanjavur

Partially practical. Ride hailing app like Uber availability is limited in Thanjavur. Select the vehicle type and book through the app; fares are shown upfront before confirmation. Drivers may call to confirm the pickup point. Before getting in, verify the vehicle number and OTP shown in the app. Payment can be made by card through the app or in cash directly to the driver at the end of the trip.

Street-hailing auto rickshaw in Thanjavur

Practical. For short distances (5-10 km) or when apps are unavailable. Tell or show the auto driver your destination — they can refuse, in which case move to the next one. Agree on the fare (approx. ₹30—₹40 per km) before you get in. Know the distance to your destination via maps before negotiating.

Maha Shivaratri in Thanjavur

The night of Lord Shiva observed with particular significance at Brihadeeswarar Temple — special pujas and abhishekam through the night. The illuminated temple on Shivaratri night is one of the most distinctive ritual gatherings here.
2026 Dates:

Pongal in Thanjavur

Tamil Nadu's harvest festival has specific resonance in Thanjavur — the city sits in the Kaveri delta, the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu, and Pongal celebrates the rice harvest that defines this landscape. Banana leaf feasts, cattle worship, and kolam designs mark the four days.
2026 Dates:

Thanjavur's food is classic Tamil Brahmin cuisine — rice-based, dairy-rich, and built on the quality of the local rice. The city and surrounding delta produce the finest rice in Tamil Nadu.

Local food to eat in Thanjavur

Pongal · Puliyodarai (tamarind rice) · Curd rice · Sakkarai pongal (sweet rice) · Idli dosa · Vada sambar · Filter coffee · Banana leaf thali

Food streets in Thanjavur

• Gandhiji Road area — local vegetarian restaurants, tiffin
• Near Big Temple (Brihadeeswarar) — street snacks, sweets, morning tiffin
• Bus stand area — South Indian meals, filter coffee stalls

Thanjavur is well connected by rail and road. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.

Thanjavur — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands

Rail Station: Thanjavur Junction (TJ)
Airport: No commercial airport in Thanjavur. Nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ)
Bus Terminal: Thanjavur SETC Bus Stand

By Train
Search “Thanjavur” as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). Thanjavur Junction (TJ) is the main station. Choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.

By Flight
Search by city name across IndiGo and Air India. Fly into Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) — 60 km from Thanjavur. From the airport, hire a taxi or take a bus to Thanjavur.

By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (TNSTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.

All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.