Art and craft village in Pondicherry is located in Murungapakkam, around 5 km from the White town. The Pondicherry tourism department developed it to promote Pondicherry’s arts and crafts artisans. The idea of the art and craft village came from the Delhi Haat, which spans around 4 acres.
Art and Craft Village in Pondicherry is a treasure house of Indian culture, handicrafts and the mangrove forest at the back of the Village. It has twenty-four stalls for artisans, where they make and exhibit their masterpieces in the Village. It is open throughout the year and three sixty-five days without any break.
Reaching Art and Craft Village:
If you travel from the White Town area, head to Cuddalore Highway. Once you cross Murungapakkam, slightly leave towards the old bridge road to Ariyankuppam. A few meters before the bridge will be signboards to Art and Craft Village or Wills Boat House (Mangrove Boating). You will reach the destination within one kilometre from the Pondicherry –Cuddalore Road.
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The Art and Craft Village in Pondicherry has a vast parking area, accommodating a sufficient number of cars and bikes. Before entering the Art and Craft Village, visit the Universal Eco Foundation stall, which has animal sculptures and paintings on the east side of the entrance.
Universal Eco Foundation makes animal sculptures by local artisans and supplies these sculptures and paintings to wildlife departments of Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. They make realistic sculptures, and the life-size tiger is a major attraction there. Indian Coffee House started functioning in the past few months. You can have coffee and snacks before entering the Village.
Stalls in the Craft Village:
Once you enter the Village, you are welcomed by Big clay sculptures arranged in rows. They were made during arts festival time and are retained here in the Village. Stalls on either side of the Village will be busy making their crafts. On the right-hand side, you will see stalls like handmade kalamkari-styled bags made there. They have been running this stall from the day this Village was open. They have handbags, small hand purses etc.
The stall on the left side of the entrance makes coconut shell decorative items for the homes. From earrings to decorative lamps, everything is made from coconut shells. Pondicherry is famous for leather bags, and the iconic Hidesign brand originated here. Next to that coconut shell stall, you can see the leather bag stall. Most of the bags will be hard leather, which is durable and cheap. Stalls make paper lamps, wooden toys, paintings, stone works, handmade hammocks etc., were spread across the Village.
One exciting stall in this Village is the pottery studio, where you can make clay art. The feel of wet clay and the delicate handling of clay between your palms and fingers will bring instant joy and satisfaction. You can buy your art after you make it.
These local artisans require your support in buying these invaluable crafts, which must be preserved for the next generation.
At the back of the Village, giant terracotta sculptures will be displayed on the left side of the Village. Once you cross that, you will head into the mangrove forest on the Ariyankuppam River. Mangrove Trail walks, Mangrove Boating and Kayaking are the major attractions here. You can take lots of instagrammable photos here.
Ticket: Entry is free for the Village
Timings: 10.00 AM to 05.30 PM
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
1. Heritage walk / Cycle Tour in White Town
2. Kayaking in Mangrove Forest
4. Sailing in pondicherry sea and lagoons
5. Scuba Diving
Hotels and Resorts Near Mangrove forest:
2. Villa Shakti
3. Le Pondy
