The colorful state of Rajasthan in India receives major footfall every year from all across the world. Along with visits to temples, forts, lakes and palaces; shopping is another quite popular activity done by every tourist. Each city of Rajasthan has a unique thing to offer to its visitors. The list of irresistible things that you can buy from this Indian state is long, including:
- Jewelry
- Leather items
- Pottery
- Textiles
- Paintings
- Wooden furniture
- Stone items
- Various kinds of handicrafts
The many palaces, forts, temples, havelis, all tell of an ancient tale. The desert topography of Rajasthan has been featured in every prominent travelogue and travel magazine of the world. From afar it is like a dream woven in sandstone. However a travel expedition is never complete without shopping.
Shopping constitute an integral part of our travel plan. What are you going to look for while shopping in Rajasthan? Of course you are not going to search for branded showrooms or for that matter high gadget electrical appliance in Rajasthan.
Check out the many markets and bazaars of Rajasthan for Shopping in Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and more places .It makes for some interesting souvenir shopping and knick knacks. Moreover the prices are reasonable enough but still a hard bargain is called for. Rajasthan has something for all travelers- from handicraft products and jewelries ranging in lakhs to small knick knacks which you can pick up just for mere 10 rupee.
Each city in Rajasthan specializes in something or the other. However some of the best buys of Rajasthan includes stone carving, metal craft, textile, tie and dye products, handloom products, meenakari jewelry, ornaments in precious and semi precious stones, blue pottery, carpets, terracotta items and wooden artifacts.
Rajasthani Art and Craft is an integral part of Rajasthan. You will be awestruck by the intricate nature of the work and the exquisite handiwork of the craftsmen. They learned the tricks of the trade from their forefathers and are still passing on to their sons. It stays in the family. Art seemed to be an obsession both with the craftsmen as well as the patronizers.
While you are shopping in Rajasthan check out the exquisite items of Blue pottery which are rare in other parts of the country. Blue color mainly residues of (oxide of cobalt) and green (oxide of copper) are used to bring in desired effect of glaziness in the items. Nowadays even shades of yellow, dark blue and brown are used.
Floral prints arabesque motifs and animal figures are the predominant themes interweaved in the articles. Ashtray, flower pots, lamp shades, jars are some of the best buy from Rajasthan bearing the hall mark of blue pottery.
Wood carvings and stone carving items in Rajasthan are a favorite with the tourists. It includes exquisite sandalwood carvings with intricate designs on it. Choose from a wide variety of key chains, designed boxes, showpieces and toys with carved motifs of desert landscape, camels, Rajput warriors and princess.
You can also look through the different furnitures like carved chest, cradles, chairs embellished with figures of dancing girls and hunting scenes. The standard of Wood and Marble carving in Rajasthan is very high these pieces are exported on a daily basis all over the world. If you want to go in for higher margins and more exquisite pieces visit the handloom centers in the different cities of Rajasthan.
Best Places for Shopping in Rajasthan
Shopping in Jaipur
Shopping in the Pink City can be great, if you like stuff that has a rural feel to it. The markets of Jaipur sell everything from clothes to jewelry to footwear. Some of the extremely well-known markets of Jaipur are Johari Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Rajasthali, MI Road, Chaupar Stalls and Bapu Bazaar. You can shop for gems and semi-precious stones, jewelry, minakari work (enamel work on gold), Kundan work (arrangement of precious stone in gold), lacquered bangles, hand block printed textile. Sanganeri printed fabric, Kota Doria saris, blue pottery, Brassware, enamelware, leather footwear with special embroidery and woolen carpets. (Note: Most of the markets remain close on Sundays).
Shopping in Bikaner
The markets in Bikaner are filled with some exclusive stuff made from sheep and camel skin. You can get your hands on wallets, chairs, shoes, rugs, bags, belts as well as miniature camel hide paintings. Station Road, King Edward Memorial Road (Kote Gare) and Junagarh Fort are the popular markets. Camel festival is the best time to shop, when special stalls are set- up by local craftsmen. The other things that you can splurge on are rangi dupatta, Mojari, lacquer bangles, wooden antiques, Noka quilts and beaded gorbandhs.
Shopping in Jaisalmer
Shopping in Jaisalmer can be great fun, with its market having a medieval feel to them. The list of popular markets of the Golden city is long that includes Bhatia Bazaar, Seema Gram, Sadar Bazaar, Rajasthani Government Shop, Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan, Barmer Embroidery House and Gandhi Darshan. In Jaisalmer, you can spend money on various things like finely-cut antiques, rugs, blankets, mirror work items, leather jutties (hand-made shoes), wooden boxes, camel-leather items, woven jackets, delicate ornaments and amazing fabrics, mainly Bandhni (tie- and- dye).
Shopping in Jodhpur
If you love beautiful handicrafts, intricately designed furniture and ethnic outfits then shopping in Jodhpur proves to be lucrative. At Kapra Bazaar, you can shop for beautiful fabrics with block prints and bandhini (tie -and -dye). Get your hands on Jodhpuri shoes and colorful Mojris at the Mochi Bazar. Government emporia such as the National Handloom Corporation and the Salawas Durry Udyog have a great collection of wooden furniture, handicrafts, carpets and quilts. The pavement shops of the city sell the world’s best red chilly- Manthaniya.
Shopping in Udaipur
The markets in Udaipur sell interesting ethnic crafts- mirror or bead work, folk toys, puppets, metal craft, wooden craft or terracotta work. Do not miss shopping for excellent-quality textile-dress material, Lahariya Bandhni saris, durries, traditionally designed hand woven carpets and block-printed quilts from the local outlets. Another must-buy item is Pichwai painting, made on cloth. Shop for traditional shoes at Mochiwada, for silver at Bhattiyani Chohtta and for spices at Mandi Market.
Shopping in Pushkar
Pushkar can be called a shopper’s heaven with a huge variety of leather goods, textiles, colorful wooden toys, brass utensils, beads, bangles, pottery and miniature paintings. Baza Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar and Kedalganj Bazaar are the popular markets of Pushkar. This sacred city receives major footfall during the Pushkar Fair, which is the best time to shop as well. Along with shopping, you can also enjoy the cultural and other activities going around in the city.
Shopping in Kota
Although Kota is a small town but has to offer some beautiful “Kota Doria Saris” as well as traditional art and crafts items. These saris, made up of cotton and silk threads are extremely famous. Another important style of Kota saris is printed and hand woven checkered sari that you can get your hands on. You can shop at private shops, local markets and government emporia.
Shopping in Shekhawati
A small town of Shekhawati looks like an open art gallery because of its beautifully painted Havelis and frescoes. There are various private shops and emporiums where you can buy some attractive stuff. Shopping at Shekhawati can be quite interesting as you can shop for special cloth and paper to adorn the walls of your house. You can also shop for beautifully carved furniture that includes stools, chairs, tables and cradles, amongst other things. You can also shop here for tie-and-dye fabric and metal utensils.
Shopping in Barmer
When it comes to Barmer, Sadar Bazaar is the place where you can get the best of stuff in this small town. In the markets of Barmar, you can get your hands at exclusive carpets, pottery, wooden carvings, mirror work dresses and block-printed fabrics. The best time to visit this place is the Barmer festival, when the local villagers showcase striking textiles and handicrafts.
