The Chola Temples

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General Information

Thanjavur (10 46' 59' "N; 79 07" E), the headquarters of the District of that name, lies about 322 km to the south-west of Chennai and is connected directly by rail or road via Kumbakonam from Chennai. The main temple of the place, the Brihadisvara, is about 105 km from the Ariyalur railway-station. The accommodation ranging from economy to luxury is available at Thanjavur run both by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and by the Private Agencies, besides a Circuit House maintained by the government of Tamil Nadu.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram (11 12' 2' N; 79 26' 58' 'E) in Udyarpalayam taluk of Perumbalur district, is situated about 260 km from Chennai and about 70 km from Perumbalur and 36 km from Kumbakonam. A visitor from Chennai may take the train or buses to Kumbakonam from where regular but services ply to the place. Kumbakonam has private lodging facilities of a moderate kind.

Darasuram (10 46'59"N;79'25''E) is located 5 km from Kumbakonam, almost at its outskirts. As mentioned above Kumbakonam is directly connected by road and rail from Chennai. Among these monuments the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur has been inscribed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

These monuments are open to public daily from sunrise using still cameras without stand, with synchronized flash is permitted. All other forms of photography/videography require permission from the Superintending Archaeologist, Chennai Circle, Archaeological Survey of India, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.