The short answer
Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Vellar: what visitors should know first
Worth a visit if you want to see crafts being made and buy souvenirs at stated prices. Phone ahead to check what is open, as activity has varied since it opened in 2021, and treat it as a half-day shopping and culture stop.
History and context
The story behind Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Vellar
The first phase of the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village was inaugurated on 16 January 2021 at a reported cost of about Rs 20 crore. A craft village at Vellar had been proposed years earlier, and the complex includes studios, a gallery, an auditorium, a sales emporium and a food court.
Useful facts
Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Vellar facts at a glance
- Location
- Vellar, near Kovalam
- Experience type
- Craft studios and shopping
- Known for
- Aranmula mirrors, handloom, mural art, coir
- Operator
- Designed and implemented by ULCCS Ltd
- Time or schedule
- Confirm locally; activity has varied
Why it matters
Why Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Vellar is worth your time
Kerala's crafts are often seen only in shops. Here you can see how they are made, and understand why a handmade Aranmula mirror or a hand-woven cloth costs what it does. That makes buying more informed and the visit more memorable.
It also gives travellers a break from the beach and a way to spend money directly with artisans. The village was conceived as a place to celebrate Kerala's traditional, folk and ethnic arts and to keep those skills alive.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Artisan studios
See craftspeople at work and ask how each piece is made.
- 02
Aranmula kannadi
The handmade metal-alloy mirror, one of Kerala's best-known crafts.
- 03
Sales emporium
Stated-price shopping with a chance to compare crafts.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The village sits on 8.5 acres at Vellar and was designed by the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society. Walk in with a loose plan: look at the studios first, then the sales emporium, then take a break at the food court.
Crafts you may see include Aranmula kannadi (the handmade metal-alloy mirror), Balaramapuram handloom, Kerala mural painting, metalwork, Nettur boxes, coir work and coconut-husk crafts. Watch artisans at work where possible and ask how long each piece takes; most are glad to explain.
If you intend to buy, compare prices and ask for an invoice. For fragile items such as mirrors, ask the staff how to pack them for travel. Because the complex has varied in activity, ring ahead or ask your hotel to check what is open before you set out.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Phone ahead to confirm what is open
- Compare prices and ask for an invoice
- Ask how to pack fragile items
- Visit in the morning for active studios
- Carry water and a hat
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Vellar, near Kovalam
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
- Best time
- Morning, when studios are active
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Mostly level paths with shaded buildings, and seating areas and a food court. Distances between studios are modest. Older visitors should check which buildings are open and bring a hat for the open walkways.
- Tickets and access
- Entry and the opening of individual studios should be confirmed locally, as activity has varied since the first phase opened in January 2021. Crafts are sold at stated prices.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Vellar
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Mostly level paths with shaded buildings, and seating areas and a food court. Distances between studios are modest. Older visitors should check which buildings are open and bring a hat for the open walkways.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
What crafts can I buy here?
Items include Aranmula kannadi mirrors, Balaramapuram handloom, mural art, metalwork, Nettur boxes and coir or coconut-husk crafts.
When did it open?
The first phase was inaugurated in January 2021.
Is it always busy?
No. Activity has varied since it opened, so confirm what is open before you go.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.