Nestled quietly on the outskirts of Udupi, Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village Museum is a hidden gem that takes you on a journey through South India’s rich architectural and cultural history. For lovers of heritage, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty, this open-air museum offers an experience that’s both educational and deeply inspiring.

A Living Tapestry of Heritage

Hasta Shilpa, meaning “hand-crafted art,” is more than just a museum , it’s a living heritage village. Conceived by art connoisseur and visionary Vijaynath Shenoy (June 3, 1934 – March 9, 2017) he was a dedicated heritage conservationist from Udupi, Karnataka, who founded the Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village in Manipal. Originally employed as a banker, Shenoy’s passion for preserving traditional architecture led him to establish this open-air museum, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage. In the 1970s and 1980s, Shenoy began salvaging materials from demolished ancestral homes to construct his own residence, the Hasta Shilpa Heritage House, completed in 1990. This endeavor highlighted the potential of reusing historical architectural elements in contemporary settings. Witnessing the rapid loss of traditional structures, he expanded his efforts by relocating and restoring endangered buildings to Manipal, culminating in the creation of the Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village in 1997.

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The Heritage Village spans six acres and features 18 meticulously restored heritage buildings, including traditional houses from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Notable structures include the 13th-century Harihara Mandir and the Mudhol Palace Durbar Hall from 1816. The village also houses galleries displaying art, crafts, textiles, utensils, tools, furniture, and toys, reflecting India’s diverse cultural traditions. Shenoy’s dedication to heritage preservation earned him several accolades, such as the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2003 and an honorary Doctor of Literature from Karnataka State Open University in 2007.

His legacy endures through the Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village, which continues to attract scholars and visitors interested in India’s architectural and cultural history ) the museum preserves and restores traditional homes, temples, and structures from across Karnataka and South India. Every detail , from wooden beams to intricate carvings, has been painstakingly revived to reflect its original glory.

Travel Tips

Timings: Tours are conducted in batches, and prior booking is recommended. Check their official website or social media for schedules.

Location: The museum is located in Manipal, near Manipal University, just a short drive from Udupi.

Photography: Photography is allowed.

Wear comfortable shoes, you’ll be walking a lot!

If you’re exploring Udupi or nearby Manipal, Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village Museum is a must-visit. It’s not just a place to see old buildings, it’s a place to feel the legacy of craftsmanship and culture, lovingly preserved for future generations.

Mangalorean Christian House Circa 1886. The front portico replaces the traditional verandah.

Vintage Refrigerator

Bedroom

One of the old preserved house

Kamal Mahal (Lotus palace) of Kukanoor-circa 1341

A Tribute to Vijayanagara Splendor

The Kamal Mahal draws inspiration from the architectural finesse of the Vijayanagara Empire, particularly the royal structures found in Hampi. These palaces were not just royal retreats but also statements of cultural and political power, often reserved for queens, courtesans, or special ceremonies. The name Kamal (lotus) reflects both spiritual symbolism and artistic devotion.

Architectural Elegance in Every Curve

Delicate and symmetrical, the Kamal Mahal features an impressive fusion of Indo-Islamic architecture, characterized by lotus-shaped domes, arched pavilions, and finely carved ceilings. The graceful jali work allows light to filter in softly, casting patterned shadows that shift with time, adding a living, breathing quality to the structure.

Kunjur Chowkimane House (Double- storey house built in kerala architectural style)

Among the many architectural jewels preserved at the Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village , the Kunjur Chowkimane House stands out for its quiet elegance and cultural depth. Originally located in Kunjur, a small village in coastal Karnataka, this traditional Brahmin home reflects the refined lifestyle, spiritual discipline, and architectural sensibility of its community. The term “Chowkimane” refers to its central chowki (raised platform) surrounded by an open courtyard, a hallmark of homes designed for both ritual and residence.

The house is built with laterite stone walls, Mangalore-tiled sloping roofs, and polished wooden pillars, each element reflecting a perfect harmony between function and form. The structure is neither overly grand nor austere; it is measured, balanced, and rooted in the philosophy of grhasta dharma (householder’s way of life).

Belonging to a Brahmin family from Kunjur, the house embodies the traditions of Vedic learning, and ritual purity. Every detail, from the layout of the kitchen and prayer room to the carefully placed tulsi katte reveals the rhythms of a life centered on devotion, discipline, and hospitality. Its restoration at Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village is a remarkable effort to preserve not just architecture, but a way of life that is slowly fading. For visitors, the Kunjur Chowkimane offers more than visual appeal, it offers a quiet lesson in cultural continuity and the sacredness of everyday living.

The courtyard of Kunjur Chowkimane

Ancient clerical office

Grain storage room (Kothi Ghar)

The pooja room with a small hatch to pass in the prasad

Bedroom (Kunjur Chowkimane style)

Kitchen (Kunjur chowkimane style)

Mudhol palace , circa 1816. Mudhol was ruled by the Maratha clan of Ghorpades and is now part of the Bagalkot district of Karnataka.

Mudhol Palace

The Mudhol Palace stands as a majestic reminder of princely grandeur from the Deccan region. Originally part of the royal estate in Mudhol, a former princely state in northern Karnataka (Now in Bagalkot district), this palace once belonged to the Ghorpade dynasty, rulers known for their patronage of art, culture, and architecture. The restored palace, now part of the heritage village, exudes regal charm through its Indo-Saracenic style, ornate woodwork, and dignified spatial design. Its presence offers a glimpse into a time when power was expressed through elegance, and every corner of a royal residence told a story of identity, pride, and refinement.

Royal palanquin

Sringeri House circa 1856

The Sringeri House is a classic representation of a thotti mane, a traditional courtyard-style home found in the Malnad region of Karnataka. At the heart of the house lies an open central courtyard (thotti), around which the rest of the home is built. This layout not only served functional purposes like ventilation and light but also had spiritual significance, often housing a sacred tulsi plant.

The richly detailed ceilings, engraved doorways, and ornamental brackets tell silent stories of a time when artistry was an inseparable part of everyday living.

Sacred Origins and Cultural Resonance

Originally constructed in Sringeri, a town famed for its centuries-old Sharada temple and Vedic scholarship, the house belonged to a family deeply connected to the temple traditions. As such, the structure reflects not only domestic life but also the sacred rhythms of ritual and spiritual practice.

When the house was relocated and restored at the Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village, meticulous care was taken to preserve its original design, from the spatial proportions to the materials used. Today, it stands as a bridge between past and present, allowing visitors to witness firsthand the living heritage of Karnataka.

A priest’s house from the Malnad area. Pooja room (Sringeri house)

Cradle

Kitchen area (Sringeri house)

Deccan Nawabi palace

This beautiful place portrays the life style of the Nawabs of the Barid Shahi dynasty. (Bidar district of Karnataka) You will notice beautiful Germen tiled flooring and belgium glass windows in this place, Empty jars of imported wine and chandeliers from Austria are also prime attraction of this heritage house.

Peshwa House- Architectural Grandeur of the Maratha Era

The Peshwa House is a striking example of Wada architecture, a style that flourished under the Maratha rule. These grand mansions were not only homes but also administrative centers, often built with a perfect balance of power and poise. The timber-framed structure is adorned with delicate carvings, floral motifs, and latticed windows that speak volumes about the skilled craftsmanship of the time. One of the most captivating features is the Diwankhana (audience hall), where the Peshwas would have held meetings and received dignitaries. With its raised platform, carved wooden columns, and ornamental ceiling beams, it conveys the sense of authority and refined taste that the Maratha nobles were known for.