Another weekend was coming up, and I didn’t want to waste it, so I started looking for Tatkal tickets to plan my trip to Thanjavur and Chidambaram. Lucky for me the Tatkal tickets were available on Friday night for Thanjavur from Bangalore. I made the reservation right away, and here are the details of my weekend trip to another beautiful part of Tamil Nadu.

Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is a historic city in Tamil Nadu, which was formerly the capital of the great king Rajarajaraja of Chola. The city is famous for its beautiful temples, constructed by the Chola dynasty, located in and around Thanjavur. The temple of Brihadeeswara, situated at the heart of the city, is the most famous of these temples. In addition to its temples, Thanjavur is also known for its art and cultural heritage. The town is renowned for its paintings, music, and dance forms. The Thanjavur style of painting is a unique art form that originated in the town. It is famous for its complex patterns and vibrant colors. It is also famous for its classic dance form, Bharatanatyam. Many great musicians and dancers emerged from Thanjavur, which makes it a center of art and culture in Southern India.

Chidambaram town has great significance for Hindus due to its association with Lord Shiva. The city houses the Sabhanayaka Nataraja temple, which is thought to have been built by the Chola emperors in the 10th century BC. In addition to the temple, Chidambaram is also known for its mangrove forests, with the largest mangrove forest in Tamil Nadu situated in Pichavaram, 12km out from Chidambaram.

Journey Details

The train left Bangalore at 10 pm on Friday and I arrived in Thanjavur at about 7 am.

Day 1 – 7 am – The local taxi was already booked, and my driver was waiting for me at the station. After a hearty breakfast and we started our drive to Chidambaram. We crossed several villages, towns, and verdant fields to reach Chidambaram. After checking in at the hotel, I explored the area before heading to Nataraja Temple.

Thillai Nataraja Temple

The temple is dedicated to Nataraja, the form of Lord Shiva like the Lord of Dance. The present grounds of the temple were built in the early 13th century, and the royals of the ancient and medieval periods added and renovated the temple.  The temple is spread across a sprawling 40-acre complex and is one of the most beautiful examples of Chola architecture, dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the only five Pancha Bhootha Sthalas. The temple has ancient origins, and a Shiva shrine existed on the site when the city was known as Thillai. The temple complex consists of several small temples and sanctuaries dedicated to various deities, with the main tower being the most important characteristic of the temple. The temple is one of the most mysterious and well-known temples in southern India and a place of deep religious significance for Hindus.

One of the unique features of the temple is the presence of the Chidambara Rahasya, which is a small area in the temple where there is no idol or picture. It is believed to represent the shapeless aspect of Shiva and is considered one of the holiest places in the temple. Nataraja Temple is one of the Great Living Temples of Chola, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

I spent a couple hours exploring the temple. By the time I finished it was getting dark, I didn’t get a chance to explore the rest of the town, as my hotel was on 1hr drive in a remote area and I wanted to get back before it was too late.

Day 2 – 8 am – After breakfast, I began my journey to the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, which was about 30 km from my hotel.

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is a beautiful and unique ecosystem, spread over 1,100 hectares, and is home to over 50 islands of various sizes, as well as 4,400 canals of various sizes. The mangrove is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a long sandy beach. The Pichavaram mangrove forest is home to a wide variety of aquatic animals and birds, including snipes, cormorants, egrets, storks, herons, and pelicans.

Exploring the Pichavaram mangrove forest by boat is a one-of-a-kind experience. There are two kinds of boats available for exploring the mangrove forest, one rowboat, and the other motorboat. My driver suggested I take the rowboat that can take me right into the narrow creeks to have a better experience. The ticket office was open as I reached around 9am, and I was fortunate to escape the line-ups that became longer and longer when I returned from the boat ride. Early in the morning I also had the opportunity to explore the region on the boat, without too much boat traffic in the narrow canals.

After spending a bit more time in the region, I began my trip to Thanjavur. I reached Thanjavur in the late afternoon. After a little rest, I visited the royal palace.

Thanjavur Royal Palace

Thanjavur Royal Palace is a historic complex, which was constructed by the Nayaks and a local Maratha dynasty between the 16th and 19th centuries, and it reflects a blend of different architectural styles. The palace is known for its complex design, beautiful art, and rich collection of royal paraphernalia.

The highlight of the Thanjavur Royal Palace is the Saraswathi Mahal Library Museum, located in the palace complex. The library was established during the 16th century by the Nayakar kings of Thanjavur, and it has a rare collection of Palm leaf manuscripts and paper written in Tamil, Sanskrit, and a few other indigenous languages of India. The library is among the oldest and most valuable in Asia and is an unparalleled repository of culture and knowledge.

Thanjavur Royal Palace is home to an art gallery, which displays a wide range of artifacts, including bronze and stone sculptures, paintings, and other decorative arts. The entire palace shows off the region’s rich culture and history.

Another important feature is a short film presented at regular intervals at the Royal Palace Theatre. The film introduces the history of the Chola dynasty to the modern development of Thanjavur.

After spending time and learning about the culture, I went to the temple at Brihadishvara.

The Brihadishvara Temple

The Brihadishvara temple, also known as the Rajarajesvaram temple, is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva. It was built by the ruler of the Chola Rajaraja dynasty in the 11th century A.D. and completed in 1010 A.D. The temple is considered a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and is an example of Tamil architecture. The temple is known for its massive size and impressive vimana, which stands at a height of 63 meters, making it the highest temple building in India. The temple complex is enclosed by walls with several gopurams, or gates, which lead into the various sections of the temple.

The main shrine of the temple is consecrated to Lord Shiva, and it shelters a massive lingam, a phallic representation of Lord Shiva. The walls of the temple are decorated with intricate sculptures representing scenes from Hindu mythology and the life of the rulers of Chola. The temple is also known for its frescoes and murals, which are some of the most beautiful examples of antique Indian art.

The Brihadishvara temple is an important symbol of the wealth and strength of the Chola dynasty and a testimony of their architectural and artistic achievements. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was evening prayer time when I arrived at the temple. As night falls, the temple has been lit with lights everywhere and around, making it magnificent. After spending a couple of hours at the temple, I went back to the hotel.

The hotel I stayed at is worthy of mention because of its uniqueness. Svatma Thanjavur possesses the charms of old Tamil Nadu, its arts, architecture, culinary heritage, and culture. I had a wonderful stay, the view of the dome of the Brihadishvara temple from the rooftop bar was amazing.

Day 3 – Explore the city to buy Thanjavur souvenirs and head back to Bangalore. I bought the famous Thanjavur dolls and paintings before I went to the station to catch the train.

It was a lovely weekend, where I learned a lot about the Chola dynasty and the rich culture of Tamil Nadu.

Images from the trip