Tanjore is an ancient city that lies to the east of Trichy in the state of Tamil Nadu. It has been re-christened to its original name of Thanjavur and is also famous as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. It has served as the capital city during the reign of the Chola dynasty, Nayaks and Marathas, and is home to most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites today. Tanjore Art and paintings are famous all over the world for their unique amalgamation of local culture and style.
How to reach Tanjore
You can reach Tanjore by making a cab booking in Trichy which is only about 56 kilometres away from this historical city. The Tiruchirapalli International Airport is also at a similar distance and has many domestic and international flights through the day. The road network is quite efficient too and the bus service and private taxis connect Tanjore to other parts of the state.
Best time to Visit Tanjore
The months from November to February are the best to plan a trip to this culturally-rich place as the weather is quite pleasant as the temperature falls during the evenings and nights. Monsoon sets in during June and lasts up to September, the entire region and the stone temples are naturally cleaned, which is a sight to see. It is best to avail of a comfortable Trichy outstation taxi and explore Tanjore in all its glory.
Places of Interest in Tanjore
The following places are an absolute must-see during a vacation in Tanjore and you can put them on your itinerary when you book a vehicle at a car rental in Trichy:
Brihadeeshwara Temple:
Probably the most famous landmark of Tanjore, this magnificent temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by Raja Raja Chola I. The Nandi Bull statue at the entrance of the main temple is carved out of a single granite rock and is 13 feet tall and 6 feet long. It is more than 1,000 years old. You can visit this temple during the month of May when the entire temple complex is bedecked with flowers and lights for its annual celebrations.
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple:
Dedicated to Lord Shiva who is also known as Adi Kumbeswarar, this temple has a lingam that is said to be built by the Lord himself. Built over an area of 30000 sq. feet, you must see the Navaratri Mandapa that has 12 Zodiac signs and 27 stars carved on its pillars. It was built during the Vijayanagar period and has been beautifully maintained.
Sangeetha Mahal Tanjore:
This magnificent Hall of Music was built in the 1600’s and is a huge attraction for music lovers from all over the world. The hall has been built to ensure that sound wave echo is completely avoided and sound is perfectly absorbed and deflected.
Apart from this, the towering Manora Fort built in 1814, the Saraswati Mahal Library and the shops selling authentic Tanjore paintings have to be on any tourist’s travel plan. This historical city is a wonderful tourist destination and will surely keep you spellbound with its glory.
