Explore Great Living Chola Temples in One Day – Tour from Trichy
Things to know
About the Activity
Experience the grandeur of Tamil Nadu’s Chola dynasty through a captivating one-day tour from Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) to the UNESCO World Heritage "Great Living Chola Temples". This tour takes you on a cultural and historical journey to explore the architectural brilliance of the Cholas, visiting the majestic temples of Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Darasuram all in a single day.8 hours to 10 hours
Private Tour
Pickup offered
Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Availability and Prices
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Travel Date
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Travelers
Adult : 2
Inclusions & Exclusions
2 bottles of mineral water per person
Fees : Entrance fees. Entrance fee
Transport by private air conditioned vehicle
Bottled water
Toll Charges
Lunch at local restaurant (beverage excluded)
Parking Charges
Local English speaking guide
Face Mask
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food and drink : Breakfast. Breakfast
Personal Expense
Tips
Donation
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Travel Itinerary
- Exclusive to travelers from this booking.
Locations in the itinerary
1
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Thanjavur, IndiaGangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, located in Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu, is one of the three UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples, and a masterpiece of Chola architecture. Built by Rajendra Chola I in the early 11th century (around 1035 CE), this temple was constructed to commemorate his victorious expedition up to the Ganges River in North India—hence the name “Gangaikonda Cholapuram” which means "The city of the Chola who brought the Ganga."
Highlights
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (as Brihadeeswarar), like its counterpart in Thanjavur.
The vimana (temple tower) stands about 182 feet tall, slightly shorter but more ornate than the one in Thanjavur.
The Shiva Lingam here is among the largest in South India, measuring over 13 feet in height.
Exquisite sculptures adorn the temple walls, showcasing scenes from Hindu mythology, celestial beings, and intricate floral designs.
2 hours • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location2
Airavatesvara Temple
Gurunathan Pillai Colony, Darasuram, Kumbakonam, India, 612702The Airavatesvara Temple, located in Darasuram near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage-recognized Great Living Chola Temples. Built in the 12th century by Rajaraja Chola II, this temple is an architectural gem known for its intricate stone carvings, musical steps, and unique temple layout. Though smaller than the temples in Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, it is perhaps the most artistically refined.
Highlights
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Airavatesvara (Lord of Airavata, the celestial white elephant).
The temple stands out for its chariot-shaped sanctum (vimana), with beautifully carved wheels and horses sculpted in stone.
Intricate carvings depict scenes from Shaivite, Vaishnavite, and Shakta traditions, showcasing Chola mastery over mythological storytelling in stone.
The temple features the “musical steps”, which produce different musical notes when tapped gently—an engineering marvel from the 12th century.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location3
Brihadeeswara Temple
Membalam Rd, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, India, 613007The Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most iconic and celebrated temples in India. Also known as the Peruvudaiyar Kovil or the Big Temple, it was built by the great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I in the year 1010 CE. This architectural marvel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a crown jewel of Dravidian temple architecture.
Highlights
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Brihadeeswara (The Great Lord).
The towering vimana (temple tower) rises to a height of 216 feet (66 meters) and is one of the tallest in India, built entirely of granite.
The massive Shiva Lingam in the sanctum is over 8 feet tall.
A 13-foot tall monolithic Nandi (bull), carved from a single stone, sits at the entrance, facing the sanctum.
Notably, the vimana's capstone weighs around 80 tons, and legends suggest it was placed using an inclined ramp several kilometers long.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location4
Thanjavur Royal Palace and Art Gallery
Q4VQ+53C, Rajakrisnapuram, , Thanjavur, India, 613001The Thanjavur Royal Palace, also known as the Thanjavur Maratha Palace, is a fascinating historical complex located just a short distance from the famous Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Once the official residence of the Thanjavur Nayaks and later the Maratha rulers, the palace is a blend of Dravidian, Nayak, and Maratha architectural styles. Today, it houses several museums and galleries that offer a deep dive into the region’s royal legacy, culture, and art.
Raja Raja Chola Art Gallery
Home to an exquisite collection of Chola bronze idols, stone sculptures, and ancient artifacts.
The bronze statues of Nataraja, Parvati, and other deities are among the finest examples of South Indian metallurgy and craftsmanship.
A must-visit for art lovers and historians.
Saraswathi Mahal Library
One of the oldest libraries in Asia, with a priceless collection of manuscripts in Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, and Marathi.
Includes palm-leaf manuscripts, ancient maps, and early prints.
1 hour • Admission Ticket IncludedView LocationMeeting and Pickup
Pickup details
Tour operator will pick up all customers from their respective locations- Travelers can choose a custom pickup or meeting location.
- Trichy Airport, Railway Station, Bus Stand, And Hotel & Home
- Travelers will be picked up 2 hours before departure time
Pickup points
Additional Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Language And Guide
Audio Guide Available In
- English
Tour Guide Available In
- English
Printed Guide Available In
- English
Ticket Details
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- One per booking
Ticket Redemption
No redemption point. This is a direct entry ticketCancellation & Refunds
Cancellable up to 24 hours before the travel date (local supplier time) for a full refund. A 100% cancellation penalty applies for cancellations submitted less than 24 hours before the start time.- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Suplier may cancel the activity on account of bad weather conditions.
- Suplier may cancel the activity due to too few participants.
- Cancel at least 1 day before activity starts in Asia/Kolkata time to receive 100% refund.
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No reviews found!Operated by TripGO IndiaCreated on 02 Apr 2020Created on 27 Jun 2025
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