Established by the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Aadivart is a living heritage landscape dedicated to the holistic aesthetic, architectural, and spiritual traditions of seven major indigenous tribes and five distinct cultural regions of the heart of India.
नृत्य, नाट्य, गायन एवं वादन केन्द्रित समारोह • Weekly Celebrations of Tribal & Folk Dance, Drama, Vocal & Instrumental Music
Can't make it to Khajuraho this weekend? The Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh live-streams every weekend Deshaj performance directly from the open-air stage of Aadivart Museum.
📺 YouTube: Aadivart Tribal Museum Khajuraho • Available on MP Culture App
Watch on YouTube • सीधा प्रसारणEmpowering tribal masters by providing a dedicated national platform, individual curatorial archives, and direct exhibition-cum-sale opportunities for their authentic creations.
Born in Patangarh in the tribal heartland of Dindori district, Balmati Tekam grew up amidst dense sal forests and the living folklore of Narmada valley. Mentored by her husband, traditional painter Shri Anil Tekam, she has mastered the intricate dots and lines of Gond visual cosmology while drawing rich cross-cultural inspiration from Bastar's Dhokra and Warli decorative traditions.
गोण्ड जनजाति की युवा चित्रकार बालमति तेकाम के चित्रों में प्रकृति, परिवेश, वन्य जीव और जनजातीय जीवन की प्राचीन स्मृतियाँ प्रमुखता से उभरती हैं। देश के अनेक प्रतिष्ठित कला केंद्रों में आपकी एकल एवं संयुक्त चित्रकला प्रदर्शनियाँ आयोजित हो चुकी हैं।
Eminent Gond painter from Patangarh, celebrated for vivid portrayal of nature, birds, and cosmic myths.
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Master of authentic Bheel dots and ritual forms portraying tribal village deities, agriculture, and festivals.
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First Bheel artist to paint on paper and canvas, honored with Padma Shri for popularizing tribal art globally.
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Prominent contemporary practitioner of Bheel visual folklore, highlighting feminine everyday aesthetics.
View Artist Profile →India’s first living tribal and folk arts Gurukul campus where invited master craftspeople impart age-old indigenous techniques to young apprentices and visitors in real time.
Under the "Srijan" workshop series, traditional master artisans from deep rural clusters across Madhya Pradesh set up active workbenches at Aadivart. Visitors can observe lost-wax bell metal casting, hand-forged wrought iron artistry, natural clay terracotta, and bamboo weaving up close.
Hand-hammered ritual tools, totemic lamps, and wildlife figurines forged over open charcoal hearths.
Centuries-old lost-wax molten metal casting depicting deities, music players, and ceremonial vessels.
Intricate handmade glass bead necklaces, headgear, and wristbands customary to tribal celebratory attire.
Hand-turned wooden household utilities, lacquered toys, and carved sacred door frames.
Fine split-bamboo storage grain bins, fish traps, hats, and decorative lamps woven with organic dyes.
Sacred votive horses, ritual clay vessels, and roof tiles sculpted directly from riverbank soils.
Explore authentic, full-scale representative houses constructed entirely by indigenous community artisans using authentic regional soils, thatch, timber, and sacred decorative murals.
Features courtyard planning with Paita Bangla meeting veranda, Mudhat Ghar sacred hearth, and Dhingna wall relief murals.
Constructed with wattle-and-daub bamboo infill, stone cattle enclosures, and colorful Pithora ritual frescoes.
Organic earthen dwelling of the priest-healer community with mud-plastered verandas and bamboo storage granaries.
Traditional stone-plastered courtyard architecture with lime whitewashed Suraiti, Chowk, and floral wall embellishments.
Thick mud-walled rustic compounds featuring Kohbar ritual wedding paintings and timber-supported porticos.
Rich vernacular expressions from Mandana clay floors to stone lintels and wood-carved eaves of the Narmada belt.
Venture through open-air memorial pillars, sacred tree shrines, and deities worshipped for millennia across forest fringes.
The supreme deity of the Gond pantheon consecrated under the sacred Mahua and Saaj trees alongside mother goddess Boodhi Dai.
Ancient carved teak and sandstone ancestor pillars erected by Bheel and Bhilala families honoring departed guardians.
Procure authentic government-certified folk paintings, bell metal crafts, organic honey, and woven textiles directly from tribal hands.
Everything you need to know about museum operating hours, admission tariffs, seasonal schedules, and smart digital guides.
Please take note of the seasonal timings determined by the Department of Culture:
Optimal daytime climate for walking through outdoor tribal compounds and evening cultural shows.
Extended evening opening allows visitors to experience beautifully illuminated house facades.
| Category (श्रेणी) | Fee (शुल्क) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Visitors (भारतीय नागरिक) | ₹ 20/- per person | Includes access to all 7 tribal houses, 5 regional homes, and gardens |
| Foreign Tourists (विदेशी पर्यटक) | ₹ 500/- per person | Comprehensive access with multi-lingual maps |
| Camera & Photography | ₹ 100/- per camera | DSLR / Professional cameras (Non-commercial usage) |
| Deshaj Weekend Program | FREE (निःशुल्क) | All visitors are warmly invited every Saturday & Sunday evening |
Take an immersive virtual walkthrough across the pathways, courtyards, and museum galleries right from your computer or mobile screen.
Open Fullscreen Virtual Tour Portal