DakshinaChitra, the heritage museum at Muttukadu on East Coast Road, is open every day except Tuesday from 10 am, and entry costs Rs 200 for Indian adults and Rs 100 for children aged 5 to 15, according to its visitor page. It is about 25 km south of central Chennai, next to MGM Dizee World.
The museum is unusual because the exhibits are buildings. Eighteen old houses from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were taken down where they stood, moved and rebuilt here by traditional craftsmen, with rooms furnished and explained. Allow at least three hours.
How DakshinaChitra came about
The museum is a project of the Madras Craft Foundation, a non-profit, and opened to the public on 14 December 1996, according to its official site. It stands on 10 acres leased from the Tamil Nadu government, according to Museums of India.
The houses were ones their owners had given up for demolition. Regional stapathis, the hereditary builders and sculptors, rebuilt each one using its original materials. The result lets you walk between homes from four states in a few minutes. The collection also includes more than 900 textiles, according to the Union Tourism Ministry’s Incredible India page, and a library of books, photographs and recordings on the region’s arts and folklore.
Tickets and timings
| Item | Rate listed by DakshinaChitra |
|---|---|
| Indian adults | Rs 200 (weekdays and weekends) |
| Indian children, 5 to 15 | Rs 100 |
| Foreign adults | Rs 350 |
| Foreign students, 5 to 18 | Rs 100 |
| School groups | Packages from Rs 250 |
| Camera | Two rates listed: Rs 50 and Rs 250 |
| Puppet show | Rs 20 adults, Rs 10 children |
| Parking | Two-wheeler Rs 20, car Rs 40, van Rs 60, bus Rs 100 |
Hours are 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 7 pm on weekends, though one section of the site gives 6 pm for weekends too, so plan to finish by 6. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and opens on national holidays except Deepavali. Tickets can be bought at the gate or through the museum’s online payment page.
What to see and do
- The houses: each has a small exhibition on the community that lived in it, from weavers and potters to merchants and farmers.
- Craft demonstrations: artisans work on site at various times; past demonstrations have covered silk, ikat and Ilkal weaving and pottery.
- Puppet show and folk performances on the open-air stage.
- Galleries with changing art and textile exhibitions.
- Craft shop and crafts bazaar selling textiles, pottery and handicrafts.
- Restaurant serving South Indian meals.
Outside food is not allowed inside the grounds; there is a picnic area beside the car park. The site also has a guest house, a ceramic centre, an art conservation lab and a seminar hall.
Workshops and school visits
DakshinaChitra runs art and craft workshops for the public, teachers’ workshops, a certificate course and internships. The current schedule is posted on the home page; one recent listing was a session titled “Exploring ‘Revival’: Meanings and Material” on 21 August 2026. Fees are given with each workshop.
Schools can book guided visits through the education department on +91 98400 88876. Guided tours for other groups need advance notice; call 98410 20149. The main line is 044 2747 2603.
Photography, events and other bookings
Casual photography needs a camera ticket at the gate. Professional or pre-wedding shoots are handled separately; the museum lists +91 98414 22149 for photoshoot queries, to be called between 10 am and 5 pm. The houses, courtyards and open-air theatre can also be booked for events through the venue desk on +91 98410 20149. Researchers can ask about access to the library and archives, which hold material on the region’s crafts, anthropology and folklore.
Getting there from Chennai
- By bus: MTC routes 109, 588 and 599 stop about 200 metres from MGM Dizee World, according to the museum. Route 109 also runs a shorter “cut service”, so check the board.
- By car or cab: take ECR south; the museum is next to MGM Dizee World and Geetham Hotel. There is paid parking.
- Combine it: Cholamandal Artists’ Village at Injambakkam is on the way, and Mamallapuram is further south on the same road.
Quick answers
Is DakshinaChitra open on Monday?
Yes. It is closed only on Tuesdays, plus Deepavali.
How much is the DakshinaChitra entry fee?
Rs 200 for Indian adults and Rs 100 for children aged 5 to 15, with separate rates for foreign visitors.
Which bus goes to DakshinaChitra?
MTC routes 109, 588 and 599, getting off near MGM Dizee World.
Can I bring food?
Not inside the museum. Use the eating area by the car park, or the on-site restaurant.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
