I set up Temple Tree Designs in 2008 primarily to support my charity, the Mariamma Charitable Trust.
We desperately need to raise funds and as a wildlife artist, I was very keen to put my artistic skills to good use.
I, therefore, decided to design and manufacture wildlife-related gifts and products which would appeal to the countless tourists who visit our beautiful area each year hoping to spot a tiger but also to admire nature at its finest.
We currently have four shops around the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, one just outside Gundlupet and the other in Melukamanahalli Village.
Temple Tree Designs is very much a rural-based company and our head offices are here in Mangala Village, in the state of Karnataka, South India.
The items we sell are, however, manufactured all over India: our T-shirts come from Tirupur in Tamil Nadu, our hats, and P-caps from Delhi, and our stunning woven hand-loom dhurries (rugs) are from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. Our aim is to source from anywhere where we can acquire beautiful environmentally-sustainable products and provide much-needed employment to the people.
The idea to open up a training center and to bring part of our manufacturing process closer to home is already up and running, however due to Covid-19n we have faced drawbacks. The hand-loom weaving and embroidery center is situated here on our land and would require neither water nor electricity, and would thus not impact negatively on the precious resources of our environment. Weaving is a truly ancient skill of India which tragically is dying a rapid death due to modernization and industrialization; we yearn to reverse that trend.
The direct involvement of the villagers in this scheme would not only help them economically but would also give them a sense of ownership and pride; in particular, we can empower women, an aim which we share with the government of our country.
By purchasing gifts and products either from our website or directly from our shops you can help us to fulfill our dream. We are counting on you for your support.
