Just a short drive down the East Coast Road lies DakshinaChitra, a cultural living museum that showcases the architecture, arts, and crafts of South India. Since its inception in 1996, it has been a vibrant space preserving and promoting the traditional lifestyles of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
The museum is a collection of authentic heritage homes, reconstructed piece-by-piece from their original locations. Each house represents a distinct cultural group, from Chettinad mansions to Kerala tharavads, complete with period furniture and décor.
In addition to architecture, DakshinaChitra hosts craft demonstrations, dance performances, and artisan-led workshops. Visitors can watch potters at work, try their hand at weaving, or learn traditional painting techniques.
DakshinaChitra is not just a museum—it’s a sensory journey into the past. By bridging education and preservation, it fosters appreciation for South India’s rich cultural diversity.