Hastashilpa HERITAGE VILLAGE | A Heritage and Architectural Marvel | Manipal | Udupi District

Address: Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village Museum Opp: Hotel Lake View, Alevoor - Manipal Rd, near Christ Church, Manipal, Karnataka 576104

Quick Info:

Winters is the best season. Visit between October to February or carry an umbrella or a hat during summers.
Wear comfortable footwear preferably slip-on as you need to remove shoes while entering the house.
Electric vehicles are available to senior citizens and the specially-abled.
Carry your drinking bottle. Re-fill earthen pots are available at a few places.
Restrooms are available on the premises.
No eatables are allowed nor are available inside the premises.
There is an entry ticket of Rs 300 for adults and Rs 150 for children above 10 years and students accompanying adults. Tickets are available online or at the counter of the museum.
There is a separate charge on the camera. The ticket for the cameras is Rs 250.
Museum timings are 10 am till 5 pm. As it takes nearly 2 hours to see the museum, the last ticket issued is at 3 pm.
The Museum is open on all days except Mondays and holidays.

The village takes you into India’s rich heritage, culture, supreme craftsmanship, and architecture. Witness and admire the beauty of 18 heritage houses from Malnad, South and North Canara, and a few from historical North Karnataka. Traditional Shrines from various parts of Karnataka including the 13th-century Harihara Mandir will leave you in awe. Admire the rare collection of Tribal Art from Bastar-Chattisgarh and folk deities of South Canara being the main attraction. Each house, each museum, and every pillar or courtyard tells a story. Few of the abodes you will not want to miss as not only you will know the stories attached but also you can still feel the vibes and positivity in them.

Although every house cannot be described in detail, a few of the major ones are listed here.

Mudhol Palace: An amazingly beautiful blend of Maratha and Rajasthani styles of architecture, Mudhol Palace was transported from the Bagalkot district. This 19th-century marvel with intricately carved doors and colorful vibrant windows is restored to its original glory with all the grandeur.

Kamal Mahal of Kukanoor Mudhol Palace: An unbelievable 1341 marvel, Kamal Mahal was built in the Kakanoor district of Karnataka depicting the essence of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. This was the private office of a military chief governor of the Vijayanagara Kingdom.

Deccan Nawabi Mahal: As the name says, the Deccan Nawabi Mahal reflects the grand and lavish lifestyles of the Nawabs of the Barid Shahi dynasty in Humnabad. Every piece in the mahal was so tastefully picked up from various parts of the world. Belgian glass windows, German Tiles, a British iron staircase, Chandeliers from Austria, imported wines and Ittars ( perfume), and much more reflects the Nawabi style.

Kunjur Chowkimane: Almost 200 years old, Kunjur Chowkimane, a courtyard double-story house was built in Kerala architectural style. The house was planned following a mandala pattern or a grid aligned to the cardinal directions where the center is left open to coincide with the central courtyard. The house of a priest’s family was built to perfection giving room to every detail depending upon the functionality of each room.

Harihara Mandir: Dating to 1216, Harihara Mandir or temple was built to house Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Vishnu. This mysterious wooden temple was brought to Hasta Shilpa Kala Village and is believed to still have the idols of the deities. The intricate wooden carvings on roofs and main doors of the sanctum sanctorum are based on the mythological stories of Shiva Puranam and Vishnu Puranam.

Mangalorean Christian House: A typical Portuguese-influenced Mangalore Christian home drawing inspiration from a Roman Gothic and British culture was transported from Chikamagalur. A classic vintage Impala parked outside this Mangalorean Christian home completes its look. The house belonged to a Christian