Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Channapatna: India’s Toy City Preserves Centuries-Old Wooden Craft
Channapatna is a town in Karnataka famous for making wooden toys.
It lies between Bengaluru and Mysuru.
People also call it Gombegala Ooru, which means “town of toys.”
Artisans have practiced this craft for nearly 300 years.
They make dolls, animals, spinning tops and many other colourful items.
Today, they also produce jewellery, bowls, lamps and decorations.
The craft is believed to have grown after Persian techniques reached the region during Tipu Sultan’s time.
Channapatna’s toys received official regional recognition in 2006.
Channapatna, located between Bengaluru and Mysuru in Karnataka, is known as India’s Toy Town.
The town is also called Gombegala Ooru, meaning “town of toys” in Kannada.
Artisans have made brightly coloured, lacquered wooden toys there for nearly 300 years.
The craft is linked to Tipu Sultan and was further developed after Mian Bavasmia studied lacquerware techniques in Japan in 1904.
Channapatna Toys and Dolls received a Geographical Indication tag in 2006.
- Who
- Channapatna’s artisans and toy makers.
- What
- A centuries-old tradition of producing lacquered wooden toys and related products.
- When
- The craft has existed for nearly 300 years; Channapatna Toys and Dolls received a GI tag in 2006.
- Where
- Channapatna, Karnataka, between Bengaluru and Mysuru.
- Why
- The town became associated with toy-making through generations of woodworking, lacquering, training and evolving designs.
- Known as
- India’s Toy Town or Toy City
- Kannada name
- Gombegala Ooru, meaning “town of toys”
- Location
- Between Bengaluru and Mysuru in Karnataka
- Craft history
- Nearly 300 years
- Traditional products
- Wooden dolls, spinning tops and toy animals
- Modern products
- Jewellery, bowls, coasters, lamps and decorative items
- GI recognition
- Channapatna Toys and Dolls received a Geographical Indication tag in 2006