Thanjavur and its surrounding regions are dotted with architectural marvels, spiritual landmarks, and cultural treasures, offering a unique experience for delegates attending the 31st ICFoST. Here are some must-visit places:
Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple) – UNESCO World Heritage Site: A 1000-year-old Chola-era marvel dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known for its massive tower (Vimana), granite construction, and intricate frescoes.
Thanjavur Maratha Palace Complex: A historic palace with museums showcasing royal artifacts, rare manuscripts, and art galleries.
Saraswathi Mahal Library: One of Asia’s oldest libraries, home to over 49,000 palm-leaf and paper manuscripts in various Indian and European languages.
Thanjavur Art Gallery & Tanjore Painting: Explore unique bronze statues, stone carvings, and famous Tanjore paintings, celebrated for their rich colors and gold leaf embellishments.
Kumbakonam (40 km): Known as the “Temple Town,” with over 100 temples including Adi Kumbeswarar, Sarangapani, and Airavatesvara Temple (UNESCO site at Darasuram).
Swamimalai (36 km): One of the six abodes of Lord Muruga and famous for traditional bronze icon-making.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram (70 km): Another UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Rajendra Chola I, showcasing grand Chola architecture.
Velankanni (90 km): Home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, a prominent Christian pilgrimage site near the Bay of Bengal.
Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) (60 km): Srirangam Temple – the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world and Rockfort Temple – a historic hilltop temple with panoramic city views.
Chidambaram (110 km): Famous for Nataraja Temple, a major Shaivite pilgrimage center dedicated to the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva.
Nagore, Nagapattinam (89 km): The prime attraction of the town is the Nagore Dargah Shareef. A sixteenth-century Islamic shrine, Nagore Dargah attracts millions of pilgrims irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (123 km): Pichavaram is the world’s second-biggest mangrove forest. The mangrove forest trees are permanently rooted in a few feet of water. There are more than 400 water routes available for boating.
Navagraha Temple : The Navagraha temples are a set of nine Hindu temples, each dedicated to the nine planetary deities, the Navagraham, in various places around the towns of Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai. These temples are the most prominent ones in Tamil Nadu and in overall India.
Kallanai Dam (45 km): Kallanai built by Chola king more than thousand years back. It is the fourth oldest water-regulator structure in the world and the oldest in India that is still in use. Because of its spectacular architecture, it is one of the prime tourist spots in Tamil Nadu.
