TRAVEL
SHOPPING IN INDIA
Made
in India
Indian
bazaars are a treasure trove.
India’s market places are more than just business centres for the buying and selling of products. They double up as culture-rich exhibition grounds where the country’s different handicrafts and industries thrive against the brand giants of consumerism. Rich in colour, medium and inspiration, each state has a unique style that comes through in its local products.
Beautifully embroidered mojris from Rajasthan, pearls of Hyderabad and silks of Varanasi... each hold their signature local trademark that makes them special to that region alone.
Through your travels, spend time visiting the local bazaars and shopping for anything from intricate silver jewellery in Kashmir to sandalwood home decor in Tamil Nadu. These products double up as souvenirs of your trip... memories of the destinations.
RAJASTHAN
SHOP FOR: Handicrafts, leather goods and colourful textiles.
With winter, Rajasthan heralds the start of its tourist season with festivals and fairs across the state. The Winter Festival in Mount Abu, Bikaner Camel Festival and Desert Festival in Jaisalmer will all be celebrating this dessert state’s vibrant culture. In contrast to the arid landscape, Rajasthan has infused bountiful colour into its local artistry. Dyed textiles, embroidered bed spreads and carpets, leather goods, fabric home decor and jewellery are some of the popular picks for tourists visiting the royal state. Silver wear sold
in Jodhpur, Pushkar and Udaipur has a typical local design aesthetic. In Kota, pick chikan embroidered saris known as Kota doriyas. Bikaner too has great markets to explore. If you are looking to pick antique furniture, Shekhawati is the place to visit.
HIMACHAL PRADESH & KASHMIR
SHOP FOR: Silver, woollen garments and Tibetan artefacts.
In the coming months, the northern states of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir will beckon snow tourists. Aside from the ski slopes of Gulmarg, Kufri and Manali, the area’s market places are already abuzz with winter wear shopping. Woollen clothing — sweaters, shawls, gloves, caps and mufflers can be bought from the various handicraft stores as well as directly off the streets. Year-round these two states are also known for their beautiful silver jewellery. Kashmiri carpets are still in high demand, though it would also be wise to take a local along to better discern the authentic handwoven ones from the machine-made. A number of Tibetan refugees have made the north Indian belt their home and sell various Tibetan artefacts here. Choose from wooden larger-than-life masks, prayer wheels or smaller decorative keepsakes. Himachal Emporium in Chamba and Tibetan Handicrafts Co-operative Center in McLeod Ganj are great places to shop for authentic souvenirs while in HP.
Kashmir Government Art Emporium, Ladakh Art Palace and Buddhist Thangka House in Kashmir sell memorabilia, carpets, clothing and jewellery.
TAMIL NADU
SHOP FOR: Copper wear and saris. History, nature and religion have their fingers entwined in Tamil Nadu. With so much inspiration, the handicraft industry here is a thriving one. Souvenir stores sell wooden carved statues, silk printed art works and copper wear in typical TN styles. While in Chennai, pick up exquisitely made silk saris and handmade textiles and handicrafts. Madurai, known as the textile hub of south India is a good bet for machine-made silks. If quality silks are what you are looking for, head straight for Kanjeevaram. For those looking to shop for copper and bronze works, Thanjavur and Mahabalipuram have a number of stores and emporiums.
KARNATAKA
SHOP FOR: Sandal wood, saris and gold. This season Karnataka enjoys lovely weather... cool days followed by chilly nights. Tourists visiting the state during this time will be able to enjoy the buzzing towns and cities as well as the beautiful spice and coffee estates at
their leisure. Pick export quality saris in Bangalore and Mysore. Karnataka is also famous for its sandalwood industry. Choose from furniture, beads, boxes, figurines and stationary in this sweet smelling wood. Sandalwood powder, a popular beauty treatment ingredient can also be purchased here.
South India has had a long standing love of gold and one can find beautifully crafted jewellery around Karnataka.
Compiled by Lara Rebello ETTR121129
India’s market places are more than just business centres for the buying and selling of products. They double up as culture-rich exhibition grounds where the country’s different handicrafts and industries thrive against the brand giants of consumerism. Rich in colour, medium and inspiration, each state has a unique style that comes through in its local products.
Beautifully embroidered mojris from Rajasthan, pearls of Hyderabad and silks of Varanasi... each hold their signature local trademark that makes them special to that region alone.
Through your travels, spend time visiting the local bazaars and shopping for anything from intricate silver jewellery in Kashmir to sandalwood home decor in Tamil Nadu. These products double up as souvenirs of your trip... memories of the destinations.
RAJASTHAN
SHOP FOR: Handicrafts, leather goods and colourful textiles.
With winter, Rajasthan heralds the start of its tourist season with festivals and fairs across the state. The Winter Festival in Mount Abu, Bikaner Camel Festival and Desert Festival in Jaisalmer will all be celebrating this dessert state’s vibrant culture. In contrast to the arid landscape, Rajasthan has infused bountiful colour into its local artistry. Dyed textiles, embroidered bed spreads and carpets, leather goods, fabric home decor and jewellery are some of the popular picks for tourists visiting the royal state. Silver wear sold
in Jodhpur, Pushkar and Udaipur has a typical local design aesthetic. In Kota, pick chikan embroidered saris known as Kota doriyas. Bikaner too has great markets to explore. If you are looking to pick antique furniture, Shekhawati is the place to visit.
HIMACHAL PRADESH & KASHMIR
SHOP FOR: Silver, woollen garments and Tibetan artefacts.
In the coming months, the northern states of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir will beckon snow tourists. Aside from the ski slopes of Gulmarg, Kufri and Manali, the area’s market places are already abuzz with winter wear shopping. Woollen clothing — sweaters, shawls, gloves, caps and mufflers can be bought from the various handicraft stores as well as directly off the streets. Year-round these two states are also known for their beautiful silver jewellery. Kashmiri carpets are still in high demand, though it would also be wise to take a local along to better discern the authentic handwoven ones from the machine-made. A number of Tibetan refugees have made the north Indian belt their home and sell various Tibetan artefacts here. Choose from wooden larger-than-life masks, prayer wheels or smaller decorative keepsakes. Himachal Emporium in Chamba and Tibetan Handicrafts Co-operative Center in McLeod Ganj are great places to shop for authentic souvenirs while in HP.
Kashmir Government Art Emporium, Ladakh Art Palace and Buddhist Thangka House in Kashmir sell memorabilia, carpets, clothing and jewellery.
TAMIL NADU
SHOP FOR: Copper wear and saris. History, nature and religion have their fingers entwined in Tamil Nadu. With so much inspiration, the handicraft industry here is a thriving one. Souvenir stores sell wooden carved statues, silk printed art works and copper wear in typical TN styles. While in Chennai, pick up exquisitely made silk saris and handmade textiles and handicrafts. Madurai, known as the textile hub of south India is a good bet for machine-made silks. If quality silks are what you are looking for, head straight for Kanjeevaram. For those looking to shop for copper and bronze works, Thanjavur and Mahabalipuram have a number of stores and emporiums.
KARNATAKA
SHOP FOR: Sandal wood, saris and gold. This season Karnataka enjoys lovely weather... cool days followed by chilly nights. Tourists visiting the state during this time will be able to enjoy the buzzing towns and cities as well as the beautiful spice and coffee estates at
their leisure. Pick export quality saris in Bangalore and Mysore. Karnataka is also famous for its sandalwood industry. Choose from furniture, beads, boxes, figurines and stationary in this sweet smelling wood. Sandalwood powder, a popular beauty treatment ingredient can also be purchased here.
South India has had a long standing love of gold and one can find beautifully crafted jewellery around Karnataka.
Compiled by Lara Rebello ETTR121129
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