The short answer
Devrai Art Village: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you like crafts and want to spend money somewhere that benefits makers directly. It is small, relaxed and easy for most ages. Allow about an hour, ask to see the making process and confirm opening times before you go.
History and context
The story behind Devrai Art Village
The collective was founded after the monsoon of 2008 by Mandakini Mathur with Suresh Pungati, an Adivasi artist of the Madia tribe. Artisans are described as coming mainly from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and from Chhattisgarh, and the project includes a training centre for young apprentices.
Its craft focus includes Dhokra metal casting, along with work in wood, stone, bamboo and fabric.
Useful facts
Devrai Art Village facts at a glance
- Location
- Devrai, Panchgani, near the On Wheelz amusement park
- Experience type
- Artisan collective and craft shop
- Known for
- Adivasi craft, Dhokra metal casting
- Founded
- 2008, by Mandakini Mathur and Suresh Pungati
- Visiting
- Gallery daily about 10:30–5:30; artisans off Wednesdays
Why it matters
Why Devrai Art Village is worth your time
Devrai Art Village was started in 2008 by documentary filmmaker Mandakini Mathur together with Suresh Pungati, an artist of the Madia tribe, who brought a small group of Adivasi artisans to Panchgani. It is organised as a non-profit and aims to give makers steady work rather than charity, with a training centre for apprentices and direct contact between artisans and buyers.
For a visitor, that means the purchase has a clear destination, and the visit teaches you something about tribal craft traditions that rarely appear in tourist itineraries. It is also a gentle counterweight to the hill station's usual focus on strawberries and viewpoints.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Dhokra casting
Ask to see the lost-wax steps; models and artisans on site explain the process.
- 02
Buying direct
The collective sells makers' work so money reaches the artisans.
- 03
The sacred-grove garden
The grounds follow a garden idea inspired by a Ficus tree grove, a calm place to sit.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start with the display area to see the range of work: brass figures, stone and wood pieces and fabric items made by artisans from tribal communities. The collective is best known for Dhokra, a lost-wax metal-casting technique with very old roots, and visiting artists often show models of the steps.
Ask if an artisan is working that day and watch for a few minutes. The staff tend to be happy to explain materials and techniques, and the prices make more sense once you see how long each piece takes. Many items are small enough to carry home, such as lamps, animals and bells.
You can spend longer if there is a workshop on, but check in advance. The garden setting is part of the idea; the founders describe it as inspired by a sacred grove. Combine the visit with a nearby viewpoint or a late breakfast in town.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Check opening hours and workshop availability on the official site first
- Ask an artisan to demonstrate if they are working
- Carry cash or UPI in case card machines are down
- Wrap fragile metal pieces for the journey
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Devrai, Panchgani, opposite the On Wheelz amusement park area
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
- Best time
- Daytime except Wednesdays, when the artisans are off
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The site is low-key and mostly level, with workshops and a small display area, but surfaces may be uneven in the garden. Seating is limited, so ask staff for a chair if you plan to linger.
- Tickets and access
- The official site lists the gallery as open daily, roughly 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, with the artisans off on Wednesdays. Sources describe entry as free; workshops need booking, so check the Workshops page or contact the village first.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Devrai Art Village
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The site is low-key and mostly level, with workshops and a small display area, but surfaces may be uneven in the garden. Seating is limited, so ask staff for a chair if you plan to linger.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Devrai Art Village free to visit?
Sources describe entry as free, with purchases optional. Confirm workshop fees in advance.
What is Dhokra?
A lost-wax metal casting technique with very old roots, practised by several tribal communities in central and eastern India.
Who runs it?
It was founded in 2008 by Mandakini Mathur and Suresh Pungati and is run as a non-profit collective.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.