Getting Around Thanjavur

State Tamil Nadu
Important temples Brihadeesvara Temple, Punainallur Mariamman Temple
Location Thanjavur Town is located in the Cauvery Delta at the point where the river, flowing east from Trichy, branches into four streams, the Vadavar, Vettar, Vennar and Kudamurutti, before re-emerging as the Cauvery at Thiruvaiyaru
Distances 350 km SW of Chennai, 50 km E of Trichy, 40 km SW of Kumbakonam
Route from Chennai East Coast Road Expressway to Pondicherry via Mammallapuram; NH45A to Seerkazhi via Cuddalore and Chidambaram; state highway to Thanjavur via Kumbakonam

Orientation
Thanjavur is one of the biggest towns in the Cauvery Delta. The Thanjavur Junction (railway station) is slightly to the south of the centre of town. The arterial Gandhiji Road connects the station to the Express Bus Terminus, 4 km north. This is known as the Old Bus Stand, at which state transport express and local buses halt. There is another major bus terminus, the New Bus Stand, which is around 6 km from the railway station on the Trichy Road. Long distance buses, which are not express services and halt at many places en route, stop here. Most hotels are situated within a 3-km radius from the famous Big Temple. Autos charge Rs 20-30 from the Old Bus Terminus to the hotels or the Big Temple, and upwards of Rs 40 from the Railway Station or the New Bus Stand. You can also hire an auto for the whole day (from, say, 8 am to 4 pm) for Rs 200 (petrol is extra).