Central Tamil Nadu: Chidambaran, Thanjavur, Trichy and Srirangam

17-20 December 2003

In the fertile heartland of Tamil Nadu, the towns of Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, and Srirangam form a magnificent chain of sacred and historic centres reflecting the grandeur of South Indian civilisation.

Chidambaram, a revered Shaivite pilgrimage site, is famed for the Nataraja Temple, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the Cosmic Dancer. Built and expanded by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries, its golden-roofed sanctum symbolises divine rhythm and the cosmic order. The temple’s architecture and sculpture reflect a deep fusion of art, science, and spirituality.

Further south lies Thanjavur (Tanjore), the glorious capital of the Chola Empire under Raja Raja Chola I. His masterpiece, the Brihadeeswarar Temple (1010 CE), dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a UNESCO World Heritage monument renowned for its towering vimana and superb stone carvings. Nearby stands the Thanjavur Palace, built by the later Nayak and Maratha rulers, housing royal durbar halls, art galleries, and the Saraswathi Mahal Library — one of India’s oldest collections of manuscripts.

Nearby Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), on the banks of the Kaveri River, was a stronghold of successive Tamil rulers. Its landmark, the Rock Fort Temple, rises dramatically above the city, with shrines to Ganesha and Shiva offering panoramic views. Across the river lies Srirangam, home to the vast Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta. This immense temple complex — among the largest functioning in the world — reflects centuries of devotion, architecture, and ritual.

Together, these cities represent over a millennium of Tamil devotion, temple art, and royal splendour — a living heritage of faith and architectural brilliance.

One of the gates to a temple at North Car Street, in Chidambaran, a town and municipality in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu.

The gate at West Car Street, Chidambaran, one of the gates to the Thillai Nataraja temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Nataraja, the form of Shiva as the lord of dance.

The gate at South Car Street, one of the gates to the Thillai ataraja temple.

The southern “gopuram” tower of the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaran, a prime example of Chola artistry.

The western “gopuram” or tower of the Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaran.

The Sivaganga temple tank, dating ftom between 1800 and 1850, in the Thillai Nataraja Temple.

The bus station of Maliyaduthurai, 44 kilometres south of Chidambaran.

Waiting for the bus in the bus station of Maliyaduthurai.

Women selling flower garlands on the street in Thanjavur (Tanjore).

The main thoroughfare, Ghandiji Road, in Thanjavur.

Gandhiji Road, with Ranees (Rani's) Clock Tower; it was built in 1883.

The Royal Palace and Bell Tower constructed by the by the rulers of the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom of Madurai around 1550. After the fall of the Nayaks, it was taken over by the Marathas.

The magnificent Nayak Durbar Hall, where audiences with the King were held, in the Royal Palace of Thanjavur.

Both Nayak and Maratha kings, who extended it, used the Durbar Hall as the court hall.

View to the Palace Bell Tower from a tower of the Royal Maratha Palace of Thanjavur.

View to the centre of Thanjavur from a tower of the Royal Palace.

The Brihadisvara Temple, known locally as Thanjai Periya Kovil ('Thanjavur Big Temple') and Peruvudaiyar Kovil ( 'Temple of the great lord'), a Shaivite Hindu temple built between 1003 and 1010.

The gopuram (temple tower) at the entrance to the Brihadisvara Temple, called Rajarajesvaram ('Lord of Rajaraja') by its builder; it was built early 11th century by Chola emperor Rajaraja I.

Young Devotees at the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur.

Men and boy Devotees, their faces painted with sacred “tika”, pilgrims at the Brihadisvara Temple.

Three very young Devotees, at the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur.

The Brihadisvara Temple, built by Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 CE in Thanjavur (Tanjore).

Inscriptions in Grantha script, a classical South Indian Brahmic script, the writing of the Chola dynasty, in the Brihadisvara Temple.

Lingams, phallic symbols associated with the god Shiva, enshrined around the outer walls of the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur.

The top of the gopuram (temple tower) at the entrance to Brihadisvara Temple. It was built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 in Thanjavur.

School girls on Big Bazaar Street, a busy shopping street near the market in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy).

Big Bazaar Street, a busy shopping street near the market in Tiruchirappalli.

Shops selling metal ware, and a mosque, Tiruchirappalli.

Shops selling scales and hardware,Tiruchirappalli.

One of the many monkeys that live around the Rock Fort temple, on a rocky outcrop above Tiruchirappalli.

Tiruchirappalli seen from the Rock Fort temple, 83 metres high on a rocky outcrop.

View of Tiruchirappalli from the Rock Fort temple; the Sri Thayumanaswamy temple is below, to the left.

Tiruchirappalli seen from the Rock Fort temple, 83 metres on a rocky outcrop. Clearly visible, on the other side of the Kaveri River, are the gopuram or temple towers of the Sri Rangathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.

Tiruchirappalli seen from the Rock Fort temple with, on the other side of the Kaveri River, the gopuram or temple towers of the Sri Rangathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.

Inner courtyard at the Sri Rangathaswamy Temple in Srirangam. The temple dates back at least to the 10th century; It was first built by the Chola ruler, Dharmavarma; after a flood the early Cholas King Killivalavan rebuilt the complex present today.

View over the richly carved roofs of the Sri Rangathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, dedicated to Ranganatha (a manifestation of Vishnu) and among the most illustrious Vaishnava temples in South India, rich in legend and history.

The carved roofs and the golden cupola over the inner sanctum of the Sri Rangathaswamy Temple, also known as Periyakovil (Big Temple), Bhooloka Vaikuntam, and Srirangam Tirupati.

The carved and painted “gopuram” or tower at the southern side of the Sri Rangathaswamy Temple in Srirangam. The temple was first built by the Chola ruler, Dharmavarma. The Kaveri river flood destroyed the temple vimanam, and later, the early Cholas King Killivalavan rebuilt the temple complex that is present today.

Shakti, the temple elephant, gives a blessing by its trunk to a small girl at the Sri Jambukeswarar Temple in Srirangam.