Hotel Sonar Bangla, Puri Book by Phone

Raghurajpur Artist Village

A picturesque village where every second house is a studio — Pattachitra painters keeping a 5th-century tradition alive.

From the hotel
Approx. 30 minutes on the Konark road
Allow
1.5–2 hrs minimum
Known for
Pattachitra also palm-leaf etching
Best time
Morning studios are cooler
Bring
Cash card facilities are rare
Raghurajpur The painted entrance gateway to Raghurajpur artist village
The painted gateway to the village. Photography: see the attribution ledger.
Pattachitra A chitrakar painting a Pattachitra scroll in the traditional Odia style
A chitrakar at work on a scroll.

Half-day trip from Puri · Arts & crafts

Raghurajpur is a picturesque and charming destination, famous for its rich cultural heritage and skilled artisans who specialise in Pattachitra paintings — a traditional form of art that dates back to the 5th century AD. Tourists can observe the skilled painters at work and learn about their techniques for creating these intricate paintings. The village also has several shops where visitors can purchase souvenirs and artworks made by the local artisans — an enriching glimpse into the skills and creativity of Odisha's craft heritage.

Making the most of a visit

  • Walk the village lane slowly — studios open onto the street and painters are happy to explain the process.
  • Genuine Pattachitra is painted on treated cloth or palm leaf with natural pigments; ask what you're buying and buy from the artist's own house where possible.
  • Mornings are cooler and studios are fully at work; afternoons can be quiet.
  • Combine with Pipili on the same loop for a full craft-and-returns day.

Shipping a purchase? The travel desk can advise on packing and courier options from Puri.

How to visit well

A working village, not a showroom

Go in the morning

Studios are cooler and artists are less busy. Arriving at midday in summer is uncomfortable for everyone.

Ask before you photograph

Most people will say yes. Surprising someone with a lens in their own workshop is the thing to avoid.

Buy from the maker

The workshop price goes to the person who did the work. This is the whole point of coming here rather than a shop.

Do not haggle hard

A scroll can take weeks. Treat the price as a wage and you will be treated rather better in return.

Fold it into a Konark day. Raghurajpur sits naturally on the route south, so hotel → Raghurajpur → Konark → Chandrabhaga makes one coherent day rather than three separate trips.

Pair it with

On the same route

Raghurajpur FAQs

Before you go

The short version

Every house is a studio

the village lane runs past the homes of the chitrakar families themselves

Pattachitra is the headline, not the whole show

palm-leaf etching, paper-mâché masks and Gotipua dance live here too

Go in the morning

artists are working, not selling, and the light is better for the painted walls

Keep planning:

Arrange a craft morning

The travel desk will arrange the car

Check Availability by Phone Read the craft guide
Check Availability by Phone Call