One man’s passion became a matter of pride, not only for himself, but for the state of Karnataka’s cultural heritage as well.

If you have business or pleasure in Mangalore, do plan a quick trip to the coastal town of Udupi in South Canara a culturally vibrant region. While Udupi will lure you with its legendary dosas, drag yourself away to the nearby university town of Manipal (7km) for a rare ethnographic cultural experience at the Hastha Shilpa Heritage Village.

The university town of Manipal also offers visitors a different kind of learning—of built-heritage and cultural traditions, which is equally precious for the sustainability-sensitive traveller, conservationists and anthropology buffs.