Your honeymoon in Thanjavur could start with a visit to the Thanjavur Royal Palace and Museum. This royal palace is an elegant blend of Tamil and European architecture. The museum in the Palace includes several galleries with artifacts that showcase the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Nayak and Maratha dynasties.
The awe-inspiring Brihadeeshwara Temple, also known as the Periya Kovil, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built by the Chola king Raja Raja I in the 11th century. This temple is considered an engineering marvel because the main temple is made of a single rock. The architecture, intricate carvings, and sculptures in the temple can leave you speechless.
This is a unique temple in the town with a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. The Punnai Nallur Mariamman Temple is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Mariamman, and the festival of Mariamman Thiruvizha is celebrated here usually between July and August with great pomp and grandeur.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Tanjore Hi Restaurant, from their special South Indian cuisine to North Indian dishes, they cater to all taste buds. The restaurant features intricate decor with seating arrangements in a spacious air-conditioned dining room. The best part is the staff are courteous and attentive.
If you want to explore the rich culture of the Thanjavur region, then a visit to the Thanjavur Art Gallery is must. This museum has an excellent collection of paintings and statues, which includes the famous Tanjore paintings, which are known for their vibrant colors, golden foils, and inlay works.
One of the most significant tourist attractions in Thanjavur is the oldest Christian Church in the region, the Schwartz Church, built by the German missionary, Christian Frederick Schwartz, in the 18th century. The neo-classical architecture of the church with its tall columns and rounded arches is impressive.
The Thanjavur Maratha Palace, also known as the Saraswathi Mahal Library, was constructed during the Nayaka and Maratha rule in Thanjavur. The library has a vast collection of rare and valuable palm-leaf manuscripts in different languages including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi. A feast for a history buff's eyes.
If you have more time in Thanjavur, you can spend the entire day at Brihadeeshwara Temple and explore the various rituals and ceremonies, but try to avoid visiting during festival times. You can also add a visit to the Airavateswara Temple, which is about 20 km from Thanjavur. For those with less time, you can skip the Art Gallery, and if you have extra time, you can plan to relax in the gardens of the Thanjavur Royal Palace or explore the markets for local crafts and textiles in the city.