Poompuhar

Thanjavur (Tanjore)


For fixed prices on souvenirs and trinkets, try government-run Poompuhar.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Thanjavur (Tanjore) attractions

1. Brihadeeshwara Temple

0.56 MILES

Come here twice: in the morning, when the honey-hued granite begins to assert its dominance over the white dawn sunshine, and in the evening, when the…

2. Schwartz's Church

0.65 MILES

At the northern end of the Brihadishwara Temple compound, within the outer ramparts, stands 18th-century neoclassical Schwartz's Church.

3. Sivaganga Tank

0.7 MILES

The park at the northern end of the Brihadishwara Temple compound contains the Sivaganga Tank.

4. Royal Palace

0.75 MILES

Thanjavur’s royal palace is a mixed bag of ruin and renovation, superb art and random royal paraphernalia. The mazelike complex was constructed partly by…

5. Airavatesvara Temple

18.71 MILES

Three kilometres west of Kumbakonam, this late-Chola Shiva temple was constructed by Raja Raja II (1146–73). The steps of Rajagambhira Hall are carved…

6. Kumbeshwara Temple

19.87 MILES

Kumbeshwara Temple, entered via a nine-storey gopuram, a small bazaar and a long porticoed mandapa, is Kumbakonam's biggest Shiva temple. It dates from…

7. Ramaswami Temple

19.98 MILES

Dating back to 1620, this temple at the southernmost end of Kumbakonam's main bazaar street has beautiful Nayak horse and yali carvings and fine frescoes.

8. Sarangapani Temple

20.17 MILES

Sarangapani is Kumbakonam's largest Vishnu temple, with a 45m-high eastern gopuram embellished with low-level dancing panels as its main entrance. Past…