Tanjavur : The superb World Heritage listed Brihadiswara temple and the Maratha palace complex are the main attractions. Tanjavur is 40 km from Trichy. Tiruvarur is the birth place of saint and composer Thyagaraja. The Thyagarajaswami temple has Tamil Nadu's largest chariot. Car festival is in Apr/May. Tiruvarur is 55 km from Trichy on the Nagapattinam road.

Brihadiswara temple : The temple built in 1010 has several pillared halls and 250 lingas are enshrined along the outer walls. A huge Nandi carved out of a single rock weighing 25 tonnes - 6 m long by 3 m high - faces the inner sanctum. The sanctum contains 4 m high lingam with a circumference of 7 m. The 66 m high, 13 storey, vimanam (tower) over the sanctum has a 80 tonne dome in single piece of granite. The dome has an impressive gilded top.

The Royal palace & museums : The palace has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers and shady courtyards. The Durbar hall has mural paintings. Raja Serfoji memorial hall has a small collection of thrones, weapons and photographs. There is a 6 km secret passage from the palace. The Royal museum (camera Rs 20) has exhibits from the raj era. The Art gallery (Admission Rs 15, camera Rs 30) has superb collection of Chola bronze statues. The narrow spiral staircase of the Bell tower takes one to the top for good views of the town. The Saraswati Mahal Library has a small museum displaying palm leaf and paper manuscripts.