Thank you for your comment on Meenakshi temple album.
Yes. I think you have gone there in the period Nov. to January, when lakhs of people/devotees visit Sabarimala in Kerala for Ayyapan dharshan. These people wear black or Saffron colored dress and visit to all temple en route to Sabarimala. This is the wrong time and in any temple. Tanjore Temple is SO BIG and at any time more than 10 lakh people can visit at any time. Further at Tanjore proper worship is not done as the temple was built by Raja Raja Chola out of pride on his Victory over others. There is a saying that Lord Shiva refused to come and stay in this temple. It is considered just as a tourist spot only and Geological Department have taken over this temple. So any time you get easy view. Thank you for your comment. Jayaraman