Chettinad Heritage Explorer

Introduction

The Chettinad Heritage Explorer is a digital platform designed to preserve, showcase, and provide access to Chettinad's rich architectural heritage. This project falls under the initiative of "Digitising Chettinad" to safeguard its old architectural heritage and culture for future generations.

Our mission is to create a comprehensive digital repository that documents and celebrates the unique Chettiar mansions, their architectural brilliance, and the cultural narratives embedded within these historical structures.

fig 1.1. Chosen Villages

The Digital Library

This digital library serves as a comprehensive repository, documenting over 1,000 heritage buildings across 12 historic villages in Chettinad. Each heritage record includes detailed information such as:

• High-quality images in WebP format for optimal viewing

• Basic information including historical names and locations

• Architectural details like style, typology, and number of floors

• Historical significance and estimated age of buildings

• Ownership details and current usage status

• Precise coordinates with direct Google Maps links

Heritage Villages

The architecture team travelled across 12 historically significant villages in Chettinad, capturing detailed data on over 1,082 houses and mansions. These villages represent the heart of Chettinad's architectural heritage, each with unique characteristics and historical significance.

From Arimalam to Rayavaram, each village tells a story of the Chettiar community's prosperity, architectural innovation, and cultural heritage preserved through generations.

Explore Villages

Districts of Chettinad

Chettinad's heritage spans across two districts: Sivaganga and Pudukottai. Our digital platform is organized to help users focus on district-level studies, with each district page providing detailed information about its villages, heritage age, and architectural characteristics.

The platform features advanced sorting options to help researchers, historians, and enthusiasts organize and learn more about Chettinad's heritage based on district-wise classification.

Explore Districts