· Editorial summary; verify with the temple before you travel.

Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple) Timings 2026

Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple) in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu. Opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 8:30 PM on usual days. Darshan windows: morning: 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM, evening: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Schedules may change on festival days.

Darshan, aarti, tickets & seva schedules. Full temple profile for history, travel & more.

🕒 Opens 6:00 AM 🕘 Closes 8:30 PM 📍 Tamil Nadu Closed

⚠️Timings may change due to festivals, special rituals, or temple administration decisions. Please verify with temple authorities before your visit.

Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple)

Accommodation near Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple)

Comfortable stays close to the temple — starting from ₹950

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Temple & Darshan Timings

Daily temple & darshan schedule — may vary on festival days
Session Start time End time Typical status Notes
🛕 Temple opening
6:00 AM
Open
General days
🙏 Morning darshan
6:00 AM
12:30 PM
Open
Often busiest before mid-morning
⏸ Midday / afternoon
Closed
Between morning & evening darshan (rituals & cleaning)
🙏 Evening darshan
4:00 PM
8:30 PM
Open
🔒 Temple closing
8:30 PM
Closed
ℹ️ Thanjavur. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chola-built 1,000-year-old granite temple. HR&CE manages. Entry free for heritage visits.
📅 Heritage tours permitted throughout the day. Photography allowed outside sanctum.
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Aarti Timings

Daily pooja & aarti schedule
Ritual / aarti Time Fee Notes
Thiruvanandal
6:00 AM Free
Dawn worship.
Kalasanthi
8:00 AM Free
Morning pooja.
Uchikala Pooja
12:00 PM Free
Midday.
Sayaraksha
6:00 PM Free
Evening.
Ardhajama
8:00 PM Free
Night ritual.
🎫

Darshan Tickets

All darshan types and pricing
Darshan Type Price Wait Time Booking
🆓 General Darshan
Free.
Free
10–30 min
Walk-in
📸 Heritage Entry
Archaeological Survey of India entry fee for heritage area.
₹40 (Indian) / ₹600 (Foreign)
No wait
ASI counter
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Pujas & Sevas

Special rituals & seva offerings
Abhishekam
🕐 Morning
₹500 – ₹3,000
Sacred bath of Brihadeeswarar Shivalinga.
Archana
🕐 All day
₹51 – ₹201
Personal prayer.
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Major Festivals

Special occasions & celebrations
February / March
Maha Shivaratri
Night-long worship at this 1,000-year-old shrine.
👥 Very High crowd 📅 1 day
Annual
Chola Heritage Festival
Classical music, dance and cultural events in the temple complex.
👥 Moderate crowd 📅 3 days
April
Tamil New Year (Puthandu)
Special puja and celebrations.
👥 High crowd 📅 1 day
📅 Festival dates change yearly per the Hindu calendar. Verify exact dates before planning your visit.
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Temple Prasadam

Sacred offerings & blessed food
Vibhuti
Free
Sacred ash.
Prasad
₹20 – ₹50
Temple sweets.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you visiting Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple)?

Let me know the planned date so that we can see if there are any changes from the regular temple timings on the given date.