Quick answer: Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts village run by the West Zone Cultural Centre, about 3 km west of Udaipur near Havala village, past Fateh Sagar Lake. It’s open daily, roughly 11 AM to 7 PM. Entry is approx. ₹60 for Indian adults, ₹40 for children and ₹150 for foreign visitors. The big event is Shilpgram Utsav, a ten-day crafts and folk festival starting 21 December.
Most of Udaipur is about palaces and lakes. Shilpgram is about the villages around them. On a quiet weekday you walk between mud-walled huts, watch a potter at work and buy straight from the maker. In late December the same hillside fills with stalls, folk dancers and very large crowds. They are very different trips, so it helps to know which one you’re planning.
Shilpgram Udaipur at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | A “living” ethnographic museum and crafts village of western India |
| Run by | West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Ministry of Culture |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Location | Near Havala village, about 3 km west of Udaipur, beyond Fateh Sagar |
| From Udaipur City railway station | Approx. 8–9 km |
| Timings | Approx. 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily (longer hours during the festival) |
| Entry (regular days) | Approx. ₹60 Indian adult, ₹40 child (5–12), ₹150 foreign visitor |
| Camera / video | Approx. ₹60 extra |
| Shilpgram Utsav | From 21 December, for about ten days |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours on a normal day; an evening during the festival |
Prices and hours are approximate and change from time to time. Check at the gate or with WZCC before you go.
What Is Shilpgram Udaipur?
Shilpgram means “craftsmen’s village”. The West Zone Cultural Centre, one of the Ministry of Culture’s zonal centres, opened it in 1989. Rather than putting folk objects in glass cases, it built real village houses the way their communities build them and invited artisans to work and sell on site.
The campus sits on rolling ground at the foot of the Aravallis. WZCC describes it as roughly 16 hectares, with around 30 representative huts from its member states. Each was built with local materials by the community it represents, and is furnished with pots, grain stores, quilts, farm tools and textiles.
WZCC also runs Bagore ki Haveli in the old city, so if you enjoyed the evening Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore ki Haveli, Shilpgram is the village-side partner to it.
Shilpgram Ticket Price and Timings
Entry fees (approx.)
| Visitor | Approx. entry fee |
|---|---|
| Indian adult | ₹60 |
| Indian child (5–12 years) | ₹40 |
| Foreign visitor (adult or child) | ₹150 |
| Camera / video | ₹60 |
| School/college groups (20+ students, with a letter) | Concession, approx. ₹30 per head |
These are WZCC’s listed rates, in line with the revision reported in mid-2024. Older websites still show ₹30 or ₹50, which is out of date.
Opening hours
Shilpgram is usually open daily from about 11 AM to 7 PM. During Shilpgram Utsav it opens around noon and stays open until about 10 PM for the evening stage programme. Confirm with the Shilpgram office if you’re planning around a specific time.
Shilpgram Utsav: Dates and What Happens
When is Shilpgram Utsav?
The festival begins on 21 December each year and runs for about ten days, closing on 30 or 31 December depending on the year. In 2023 it ran from 21 to 30 December; in 2025 it opened on 21 December and closed on 31 December. Exact 2026 dates are announced by WZCC in late November or early December, so check closer to the time.
Entry on the opening day has been free in recent years. On other days, festival tickets have generally followed the normal entry rates, but confirm when the 2026 schedule is out.
What to expect
- Craft stalls run by artisans from across India, not just the four western states.
- Folk performances every evening on the big open-air stage, with dance and music groups from states such as Goa, Manipur, Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan in recent editions.
- Regional food stalls, which are a big part of the fun.
- An inauguration usually attended by the Governor of Rajasthan, and the Dr Komal Kothari Memorial Folk Art Award for lifetime work in folk culture.
How busy does it get?
Very. A record 1,88,735 tickets were sold at the 2025 festival, and artisans’ sales passed ₹6.35 crore, according to figures reported in Udaipur in January 2026. Weekends, the last few days and the evenings are busiest.
Our advice: arrive mid-afternoon, shop while the lanes are calmer, eat early, then find a seat for the evening show. Leave a little before the end to avoid the rush back to town.
What to See and Do at Shilpgram
The village huts
This is the heart of Shilpgram outside festival season. Look out for:
- Gujarat: round, mud-plastered huts from the Banni and Bhujodi areas of Kutch, decorated with mirror work and clay relief.
- Maharashtra: the Warli hut, with the community’s well-known white stick-figure paintings.
- Rajasthan: village and tribal homes from different parts of the state.
- Goa: coastal homes with a very different layout and roofing.
Shilpdarshan: artisans at work
Under the Shilpdarshan scheme, rural craftspeople spend time at Shilpgram demonstrating and selling their work. On a normal day you may find a potter, weaver or embroiderer in the lanes; who’s there changes week to week.
Museums, amphitheatre and extras
WZCC lists smaller displays including a tribal museum and a sculpture park. The large open-air amphitheatre hosts the festival’s evening shows. Folk musicians sometimes play in the lanes, and short camel rides are occasionally offered.
What to Buy at Shilpgram
Shilpgram is one of the few places in Udaipur where you can buy directly from the person who made the piece. Typical crafts include:
- Mirror work, embroidery and beadwork, especially from Kutch
- Handwoven shawls, durries and textiles
- Terracotta and pottery
- Dhokra and other lost-wax metal casting
- Leather juttis and mojaris
- Wooden toys and painted crafts
What should things cost? Prices vary too much by craft and maker to give fair numbers. Ask the maker about the technique, bargain gently, and carry cash as well as UPI, since networks get busy at festival time. Shilpgram’s advantage over city markets is authenticity and direct sale, not always the lowest price.
Is Shilpgram Udaipur Worth Visiting?
| Normal day | Shilpgram Utsav (late Dec) | |
|---|---|---|
| Crowds | Light | Very heavy, especially evenings |
| Crafts for sale | A few artisans | A large crafts bazaar |
| Performances | Occasional, in the lanes | Full stage show every evening |
| Food | Limited | Many regional food stalls |
| Best for | Seeing the huts, photography, a calm walk | Shopping, folk culture, festive mood |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours | 3–4 hours |
Yes, if you like village life, crafts or folk culture. With only one day in Udaipur, the palace and lake circuit comes first, except in late December.
Best Time to Visit Shilpgram
- October to March: The best season, with pleasant afternoons.
- 21–31 December: Shilpgram Utsav. Book transport and hotels early.
- April to June: Hot, with limited shade. Go in the late afternoon.
- July to September: Green hills, though paths can be muddy.
How to Reach Shilpgram from Udaipur
Shilpgram is on the western edge of the city. The usual route runs along Fateh Sagar Lake and out towards Havala village.
| From | Approx. distance |
|---|---|
| Fateh Sagar Lake | 3–4 km |
| City Palace / Lake Pichola | 7–8 km |
| Udaipur City railway station | 8–9 km |
| Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) | About 7 km |
Autos and taxis go there easily, but finding a ride back late during the festival can be slow. Distances are approximate.
Combining sights: Shilpgram fits well with Fateh Sagar Lake and Saheliyon ki Bari, which are on the same side of town. For sunset, you could add Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, though on festival days we’d keep the evening for Shilpgram itself.
Tips for Visiting Shilpgram
- Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven paths, and carry water outside winter.
- Ask before photographing artisans at work.
- Try the festival food. Our guide to Rajasthani dishes will help you order.
- Bring a warm layer for December evenings at the open-air stage.
Plan Your Shilpgram Trip
Shilpgram is easiest by car, especially in December. Our drivers can drop you, wait while you shop and watch the show, and take you back to your hotel. It also fits into our Udaipur sightseeing day tour, or you can book a taxi in Udaipur just for the festival evening.
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Planning more of Rajasthan? Browse all our guides on the Rajasthan Travel Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where exactly is Shilpgram in Udaipur?
Shilpgram is on the western outskirts of Udaipur, near Havala village, about 3 km beyond Fateh Sagar Lake. It’s roughly 8–9 km from Udaipur City railway station and 7–8 km from the City Palace area, usually a 20–30 minute drive.
2. Is Shilpgram open every day?
Yes, Shilpgram is generally open every day, roughly from 11 AM to 7 PM. During Shilpgram Utsav in late December it opens around noon and stays open into the late evening for the stage programme. Hours can change for events, so check at the gate before making a special trip.
3. How much is the Shilpgram ticket during the festival?
In recent years festival tickets have followed the regular entry rates, approx. ₹60 for Indian adults and ₹40 for children, with free entry on the opening day, 21 December. WZCC announces the year’s rates and programme shortly before the festival, so confirm before you go.
4. When is Shilpgram Utsav 2026?
Shilpgram Utsav traditionally starts on 21 December and runs for about ten days, ending on 30 or 31 December. The official 2026 programme is usually announced by the West Zone Cultural Centre in late November or early December. Plan around 21–31 December and check the exact dates nearer the time.
5. Is Shilpgram worth visiting if it’s not festival time?
Yes, if you enjoy village architecture and crafts. On normal days it’s calm, you can walk inside the huts without crowds, and the artisans on site have time to talk. Allow about two hours. It’s quieter and smaller in scale, so don’t expect the stalls and shows of December.
6. What can you do at Shilpgram with children?
Children usually enjoy exploring the huts, watching potters and weavers, and the folk performers. WZCC also runs art, craft, music and theatre workshops for children at times through the year. The festival is lively but crowded, so keep small children close in the evenings.
7. Who runs Shilpgram Udaipur?
Shilpgram is run by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur, which works under the Union Ministry of Culture. WZCC covers the cultural heritage of western Indian states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa, and also manages Bagore ki Haveli in Udaipur’s old city.
8. Is photography allowed at Shilpgram?
Yes. Photography is allowed, with a camera or video ticket of approx. ₹60 on top of entry; check at the counter whether it applies to phones. Always ask artisans and performers before taking close-up photos, and be patient with people who are working on a piece.
9. Are there hotels and resorts near Shilpgram?
Yes, several resorts and hotels sit along the Shilpgram road and around Havala, on the quieter western side of the city. They suit festival visits, when late-night traffic back to town is heavy. For old-city sightseeing, staying near Lake Pichola keeps you closer to most attractions.
10. Can I visit Shilpgram and Sajjangarh on the same day?
Yes. Both are on the western side of Udaipur, about 7 km apart by road. A good plan is Shilpgram in the afternoon and Sajjangarh for sunset. During the festival, though, the evening programme at Shilpgram is the highlight, so you may prefer to see Sajjangarh on another day.