Thanjavur is a city in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Its many temples include the 11th-century Brihadeeswarar Temple, a vast Chola dynasty–era complex with a frescoed interior. Thanjavur Maratha Palace is home to the centuries-old Saraswathi Mahal Library, with palm-leaf manuscripts, and Thanjavur Art Gallery, with bronze statues. Tamil UniversityMuseum displays coins, folk artifacts and musical instruments.
When to visit: Thanjavur has a tropical climate, with warm to hot weather year-round. Temperatures peak Mar–Jun. The monsoon season (Jun–Sep) brings heavy rainfall. Nov–Feb is marked by warm days and cool nights. The Thyagaraja Aradhana (Jan/Feb) is a Carnatic music festival held in honor of the Hindu saint and composer Thyagaraja. During the Chithirai Festival (Apr/May), the sacred chariot is removed from Brihadeeswarar Temple and pulled by devotees through the streets of the city.
