Tucked away on the banks of the Tunga River in the Shimoga (Shivamogga) district of Karnataka, Mattur is not your ordinary village. Known widely as a “Sanskrit Grama” (Sanskrit village), Mattur is one of the few places in India where Sanskrit, the classical, ancient language of Vedas and shastras, is still spoken in daily life. But this isn’t just a tourist curiosity: life here is a remarkable blend of tradition, learning, and modern ambition. And Sanskrit is not just a language, it’s the way of life. Mattur’s Sanskrit heritage is deeply rooted in its identity. Around 600 years ago, a Brahmin community called the Sankethis migrated here from Kerala. Over time, they established themselves in Mattur, preserving not only their rituals but also a linguistic tradition. Today, most Sankethis

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