DakshinaChitra Museum
DakshinaChitra Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
407 reviews
Excellent
208
Very good
155
Average
34
Poor
6
Terrible
4
GarethKZN
Cape Town Central, South Africa177 contributions
Mar 2023
This is a remarkable project, beautifully curated. The exhibits are set in beautiful gardens. Give yourself at least 2 hours to enjoy
Written 24 March 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.
Christine C
Hilden, Germany1 contribution
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.
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.
Eshan001
Jaipur, India2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Amezing visit like the way they preserved all our historical values. It is a great visual treat to the eyes about era of Indian tradition and heritage
Written 9 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.
Trishna
7 contributions
Nov 2022
Dakshin Chitra is a very well maintained museum around 25km (approx 45mins) from Chennai airport. We stopped at this place on our way to Pondicherry.
A brilliant showcase of the kind of houses and settlements from different states of South India - they show you how life was different in different eras (there’s Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, etc) and also portray the varied activities done by local people.
Some of the houses were actually dismantled from the original place and reassembled here in DakshinChitra to keep the authenticity.
All this while giving you a chance to participate in the activities yourself - like mehendi, pottery, glass blowing, basket weaving, etc.
A very unique concept, super picturesque, instagrammable place, with gorgeous aesthetics and backdrops.
Very informative and a great way to inculcate the Indian culture in kids and adults a like.
Great place to come with friends as well as family. Budget around 4 hours to completely experience the place well.
Highly recommend.
A brilliant showcase of the kind of houses and settlements from different states of South India - they show you how life was different in different eras (there’s Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, etc) and also portray the varied activities done by local people.
Some of the houses were actually dismantled from the original place and reassembled here in DakshinChitra to keep the authenticity.
All this while giving you a chance to participate in the activities yourself - like mehendi, pottery, glass blowing, basket weaving, etc.
A very unique concept, super picturesque, instagrammable place, with gorgeous aesthetics and backdrops.
Very informative and a great way to inculcate the Indian culture in kids and adults a like.
Great place to come with friends as well as family. Budget around 4 hours to completely experience the place well.
Highly recommend.
Written 14 November 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.
VR
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Friends
Very huge but neat n clean. However the restaurant was not upto the mark. The shops there has good stuff at decent prices.
Written 9 October 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.
SURAJ K
Kochi (Cochin), India5,762 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.
William H
San Antonio, TX101 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Great place to see the historical society and housing of Chennai. Wonderful to see the different housing styles of the Tamil Nadu state as well as others
Written 21 May 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.
Eileen108
Mount Shasta, CA4,245 contributions
Feb 2022
This was my favorite place in the few days I had in Chennai. If you have half a day to spare, it is a Must-Do! Many traditional houses to go through, with excellent displays and info. Very fun to explore!
Written 4 March 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.
Gray Grace
2 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Possible to just relax in our own space and food was not at all exhoribant unlike the many beach resorts close by. The various houses detailing the architect is a marvelous idea and brilliantly executed.
Written 5 November 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.
Milind Kshirsagar
Nagpur, India166 contributions
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.
@TraveLover
Chennai (Madras), India232 contributions
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
Dreams Taking Wings
New Delhi, India59 contributions
Is there a bus service from Mahabalipuram?
Enroute
Leicestershire, UK199 contributions
I noticed buses in the car park but sorry cannot comment on their origin or destination
Viv A
Lucknow City, Uttar Pradesh, India40 contributions
Is photography permitted? Do they have separate charges for point and shoot camera and DSLR?
Nidhi Gupta
New Delhi, India503 contributions
Yes photography with DSLR cameras allowed
Camper788221
Chennai (Madras), India
What else place we can go after visiting this place???
Debasis C
Kolkata (Calcutta), India65 contributions
Go to puduchhery . You will get plenty of places to visit there.
Chitra K
Mumbai, India140 contributions
When is the weekly off for this museum. And what would be the ideal time required to see it? Thanks all in advance.
Nidhi Gupta
New Delhi, India503 contributions
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.
viveklatharaje
Tambaram, India
How much time it normally takes to spend at Dakshinachitra?? From entry to exit
Ponmalar
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia195 contributions
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
Nandhini S
Charlotte, NC
Is there something for the kids to be entertained?
naveen v
27 contributions
Yes. If you plan to go on weekends, they have folk shows specifically targeted at kids.
JenniferJalal
Mumbai, India32 contributions
The dakshinchitra website mentions guest house for overnight stay. Is the accommodation good?
Kaleshkumar
Bengaluru, India205 contributions
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.
DakshinaChitra Museum (Muttukadu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about DakshinaChitra Museum
- DakshinaChitra Museum is open:
- Mon - Mon 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Wed - Fri 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Hotels near DakshinaChitra Museum:
- (0.56 km) MGM Beach Resorts
- (1.72 km) Novotel Chennai Sipcot
- (1.63 km) ibis Chennai Sipcot Hotel
- (2.07 km) Regenta Central RS
- (2.72 km) Gokulam Park Sabari - OMR
- Restaurants near DakshinaChitra Museum:
- (0.57 km) Sangeeta veg restaurant
- (0.64 km) Sea Crest Restaurant & Bar
- (0.57 km) ECR Dhaba
- (0.56 km) Adyar Ananda Bhavan
- (0.57 km) Bekal Restaurant
- Attractions near DakshinaChitra Museum:
- (0.41 km) Muttukadu Lake
- (0.57 km) Ananta Spa MGM
- (10.07 km) VGP Snow Kingdom
- (10.09 km) Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
- (2.99 km) Bay of Life Surf & SUP