MYSORE
The actual state-run KHDC 'Cauvery' emporium on Sayyaji Rao Road is legitimate for sandalwood/rosewood crafts, but its name is copied by private shops nearby with near-identical signage — check for the Karnataka government logo and ask for a GST-compliant printed bill before paying
The Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation was established in 1964 under the Companies Act to preserve, develop, and market the state's traditional crafts, opening the 'Cauvery' emporium brand at major cities including Mysore. The Mysore outlet on Sayyaji Rao Road became a principal retail showcase for Channapatna lacquerware and toys, sandalwood and rosewood carving, Mysore traditional paintings, bidri metalware, and Kinhal woodcraft. Today the corporation supports several thousand registered artisans and tens of thousands more who depend indirectly on it, functioning as a state-run bridge between rural craftspeople and urban and tourist markets.
