One man’s passion became a matter of pride, not only for himself, but for the state of Karnataka’s cultural heritage as well.

If you have business or pleasure in Mangalore, do plan a quick trip to the coastal town of Udupi in South Canara a culturally vibrant region. While Udupi will lure you with its legendary dosas, drag yourself away to the nearby university town of Manipal (7km) for a rare ethnographic cultural experience at the Hastha Shilpa Heritage Village.

The university town of Manipal also offers visitors a different kind of learning—of built-heritage and cultural traditions, which is equally precious for the sustainability-sensitive traveller, conservationists and anthropology buffs.

Facing the emboldened powers of contemporary culture of consumerism Karanataka’s South Canara region has helplessly witnessed the erosion of time-tested traditions of its vernacular architecture, design and crafts. Visiting this unique open-air museum is like stepping into a time machine. What you will discover here is a rare exposition of India’s unique cultural ethos.

Restoration, conservation and preservation are the key factors which drive the museum’s ideals of promoting centuries-old vernacular architectural structures, arts and crafts. These vibrant traditions are intrinsic to India's cultural continuity.

The voice behind this laudable endeavour was Vijayanath Shenoy (1934-2017), formerly a banker who, moved by the insensitive developments around him, vowed to keep the spirit of South Kanara’ cultural heritage alive, despite the burgeoning expansion of modernity. A conservationist at heart, and empowered by his visionary outlook, he sought to establish a place where people could still admire works of architectural beauty and artefacts of deep antiquity. It was his way, even if in some small measure, to stem the rot crushing his beloved region in the name of modernity.

Impressed by his vision, the Karnataka government, the Tata Trust and some European heritage organisations, pitched in to help create this heritage village.

Shenoy was 60 years old when he started this project; by the time he passed away in 2017 he had successfully restored 17 ancestral homes from Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh in the Karnataka architectural mode.  He had also restored a monastery and headed the preservation of priceless artifacts, and collections from the bygone eras.

Walking through the precincts, visitors get to see an astonishing range of Built Heritage, History, Art, Culture and Architecture from different periods of history in India.

From the palaces of the Vijayanagar Empire era to those of the Deccan Sultanate— to the sturdy houses of Mangalorean Christians, each replicated structure offers a window to South Canara’s rich architectural heritage.

You will marvel at the fantastic recreation of 18 heritage houses, dating between 1705 to 1856, from the South and North Canara and Malnad regions, as well as from historical North Karnataka. Historical heritage structures, dating between 1341-1902, have also been replicated here from the Mudhol-Bagalkot district, Kukanoor-Koppala District, Humnabad-Bidar District. 

Unmissable showpieces: Mudhol Palace, a fusion of Maratha and Rajasthani styles of architecture; it was relocated from the Bagalkot district. The Deccan Nawabi Mahal mirrors the grand lifestyles of the Nawabs of the Barid Shahi dynasty in Humnabad. The 200-year-old Kunjur Chowkimane is a double-storied courtyard house with a Keralan architectural lineage. Also relocated here is the Harihara Mandir, a Shiva temple dating to 1216. The wooden temple still features some former idols of the deities. The Portuguese-influenced Mangalore Christian house was transported intact from Chikamagalur.

Apart from the exploring the showcase of ancestral dwellings you should check out the rare collection of Tribal Art from Bastar-Chhattisgarh and folk deities of South Canara, which are also a huge draw. The Ganjifa Gallery, co-curated by art historian Dr. Pramila Lochan, is another unmissable treat.

What makes the museum such a delight to explore is how its collection of rare specimens of heritage structures, traditional works of art and craft, age-old furniture, utensils, ritual objects and other household articles, and royal heirloom, gathered from their owners, have been relocated here and showcased in such a sensitive manner.

Streams of visitors from around the globe have marvelled at the beautiful recreation of different historical periods and depiction of the lifestyle and culture of different communities from various geographic settings. 

The two and a half hour guided tour offers an immersive experience of the museum’s incredible history and rich offerings. A must-do if you love history and heritage.