DakshinaChitra Museum
DakshinaChitra Museum
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
A unique concept of bringing South India’s cultural traditions all under one roof, Dakshin Chitra is a little out of the city (25 kilometers) but certainly worth your while. Dakshin Chitra actually means "picture of the south" and that’s exactly what you should expect to see. Educational and fun at the same time, this is a center for a complete orientation to Southern India’s four states. You can experience the living traditions, performing arts, music, crafts and architecture on the 10-acre spread. The earthy feel of the structure and its surroundings transport visitors into the cultural milieu. Dakshin Chitra is great for both children and adults as you can try your hand at glass blowing, pottery and traditional games.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
410 reviews
Excellent
211
Very good
155
Average
34
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Mikan999
Bristol, UK571 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Worth visiting as a stop off when travelling from Chennai to Mahabalipuram but not as a destination in itself. There are many traditional buildings in the Tamil and Kerela style and artifacts such as Hindu statues and crafts. There are many stalls with artists and craftsmen selling their wares so useful for souvenirs. Two galleries exhibit contemporary Indian artists - which are very good. Entrance is Rs250/ person. Apparently there is Indian dancing sometimes.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine C
Hilden, Germany11 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Absolutely authentic and wonderful place to see. Must see in my eyes. So fascinating how close different religions and ethnic groups embossed this country through the centuries. Wonderful art and crafts work can be seen. And lucky me I visited on a holiday so they had many attractions to see. And even the market of artist who are coming from outside to sell their products. It was absolutely amazing
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SURAJ KALATHINGAL
Kochi (Cochin), India6,082 contributions
May 2022 • Family
You can enjoy by seeing the art of Tamilnadu, Kerala,Andhra Ptadesh,Karnataka.Need to walk and enjoy this place.You got activity like Puppet show in Tamil,Glass blowing,Mehendi,Paper mask,Pottery,ceramics,pot painting,basket making etc.Monday to Friday timing is 10am- 6pm and weekends and public holidays 10am- 7pm.TUESDAY Holiday.Good parking area.Awesome restaurant.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Su P
1 contribution
Jan 2023
Jan 24 visited Dakshi Chitra with a foreign national relative.
1.Tickets are differently priced -why they are charging more for a foreign national . Is it racism or discrimination or scam?
2. Not a single artisan was there, nothing to see. At least at ticket counter artisan unavailability should be told so we can make decision about visiting or no
1.Tickets are differently priced -why they are charging more for a foreign national . Is it racism or discrimination or scam?
2. Not a single artisan was there, nothing to see. At least at ticket counter artisan unavailability should be told so we can make decision about visiting or no
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
V Ajay S
Chennai (Madras), India7 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Payment options for entry ticket is cash and card. Keep the yellow ticket they give you, safely, until you complete the trip and leaving the museum for the day. There are stalls to buy souvenirs/food items, wherein some accept only cash and some even UPI. The restaurant inside the museum accept even card. The restaurant has a A/c room too. When they give you a pamphlet at the ticket counter, which is actually the map, best to stick to the route recommended in that so that night is missed out. Bus routes are 109, 588. Share autos were also coming to the bus stop (didn't ask where they will go though).
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ganesh J
Mumbai, India2,393 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
Nice place depicting life styles of different states in South of India
Car park available.
Many wash rooms available for visitors.
It was a nice experience to see the dwelling places of people of different financial status from south of India.
Overall , a nice experience.
Ganesh J
Mumbai
Car park available.
Many wash rooms available for visitors.
It was a nice experience to see the dwelling places of people of different financial status from south of India.
Overall , a nice experience.
Ganesh J
Mumbai
Written 27 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan
Washington DC, DC37 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We had a great experience and learned so much about Chennai’s history. Definitely worth stopping by for a visit! The grounds are beautiful, you can stop by to see live demonstrations, and there’s also lots of amazing information and a great arts and crafts market and when you’re done touring you can even buy from the gift shop.
Written 1 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarthikBalan
Chennai (Madras), India176 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
We conducted our daughters wedding at Dakshina Chitra. It is a beautiful ethnic venue and the mandap is located opposite the Kerala pavilion on an open field. We erected a Shamiana and arabic tents and had the mandap, walkway and the doorways decorated with orange and white flowers. Marigolds added a dash of color too. The staff at Dakshina Chitra headed by COO Mr Nambiar, ably assisted by Mr Francis and Mr Balagopal were very helpful and went all out to make the event a grand success. A number of the couples friends from outside India really enjoyed the event. If anyone of you are planning a wedding there and require further information, you may contact me at prcom1@yahoo.com
Written 3 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NitinHM
Chennai (Madras), India72 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
If you are looking for cross culture of south India’s state this is the perfect place.
Here you can see Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala style art, architecture, lifestyles and crafts.
Surely if you are interested in heritage kind of place this is awesome. Entry fee is Rs.120/person, you can easily finish it by 2-3hours.Even parking is available with no extra cost. Inside the this heritage center food facility is also available . For 1 day trip from Chennai you can cover See shore Temple mammalapuram, Dakshinachitra, Crocodile Bank and Tiger cave.
Here you can see Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala style art, architecture, lifestyles and crafts.
Surely if you are interested in heritage kind of place this is awesome. Entry fee is Rs.120/person, you can easily finish it by 2-3hours.Even parking is available with no extra cost. Inside the this heritage center food facility is also available . For 1 day trip from Chennai you can cover See shore Temple mammalapuram, Dakshinachitra, Crocodile Bank and Tiger cave.
Written 6 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vignesh N
Singapore, Singapore52 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
It is quite a family entertainment with balance between activities for Kids & experience of traditional south India lifestyle. Superbly well maintained, super clean, plenty of activities for Kids like painting, Pot Making, Origami, Mask Making, Glass blowing, Play area, Puppet Show etc. at a very nominal charge. At an average per activity for kids costs Rs. 25. Staff members are friendly, there is folk dance as well which was very entertaining. The local restaurant serves good South Indian Veg food at a very nominal charge (we were six of us & it cost us Rs. 800 for all of us). Highly recommended ( I would put as must visit) around Chennai, 45 Minutes drive from Chennai, located at East Coast Road, plan 4-5 hours. Entrance Fee : Rs. 120 for Adults & Rs. 30 for Kids below 12 years.
Written 5 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is their any facility like cloak room or place to deposit your luggage while you are going through the museum? In fact I am travelling with family from Chennai to mahabalipuram. I think, on the way I can cover this museum provided there is some place to deposit our luggage.
Written 15 December 2019
Sonce unam a locality I did not have an opportunity to check on this option
But I think you do not have a specially allocated space or arrangement for the same. But you can request the security or responsible person over there to just keep an eye over the items that you were carrying in. But this will be managed only for your museum visit alone
Written 15 December 2019
Is there a bus service from Mahabalipuram?
Written 28 July 2019
I noticed buses in the car park but sorry cannot comment on their origin or destination
Written 29 July 2019
Is photography permitted? Do they have separate charges for point and shoot camera and DSLR?
Written 30 November 2018
Yes photography with DSLR cameras allowed
Written 28 December 2018
Camper788221
Chennai (Madras), India
What else place we can go after visiting this place???
Written 1 September 2018
Go to puduchhery . You will get plenty of places to visit there.
Written 6 November 2018
When is the weekly off for this museum. And what would be the ideal time required to see it? Thanks all in advance.
Written 8 July 2018
Yes. Half a day is good. But if you ate someone who is interested in art/ architecture/ traditions, it can take you much longer as there is lots to study.
Written 14 July 2018
viveklatharaje
Tambaram, India
How much time it normally takes to spend at Dakshinachitra?? From entry to exit
Written 20 May 2018
It depends on the amount of time and details that you wish to spend in each and every house. Roughly, 3-4 hrs is sufficient
Written 23 May 2018
Nandhini S
Charlotte, North Carolina
Is there something for the kids to be entertained?
Written 9 July 2017
Yes. If you plan to go on weekends, they have folk shows specifically targeted at kids.
Written 19 September 2017
The dakshinchitra website mentions guest house for overnight stay. Is the accommodation good?
Written 13 April 2016
There is a provision for stay. It is good, neatly maintained and clean. Dont expect a 3 star or 5 star fancy facilities in the guest house, but all basic facilities are there. The accommodation is very good.
Written 15 April 2016
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