Page 723 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

SHOPS & M ARKE T S  721

They all operate on a commission India (see p735) as objects over
basis, and taking visitors to 100 years old cannot be taken
shops of their choice is just a out of the country. However,
means of acquiring extra cash. excellent reproductions can
Tourist coaches often stop at always be found. Exquisite gold
selected stores, but it is not and silver jewellery is readily
obligatory to purchase anything. available, though it is best to
Don’t be taken in by shops that visit established jewellers.
say “government approved”; Jaipur is an excellent place to
these are private enterprises not shop for precious stones, while
to be confused with government- Hyderabad is known for good-
run outlets that have certification quality pearls.
from the Government of India. Rajasthan, particularly
Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur,
specializes in good-quality
Department Stores miniatures, folk paintings and
and Boutiques Colourful paper kites on sale in a religious pichhwais on cloth.
Plush, air-conditioned Rajasthan village Other types of painting, such as
department stores, malls Tibetan thangkas and the jewel-
and plazas, and upmarket buy directly from them. If a craft encrusted Tanjore paintings, are
boutiques are now regular centre is not on your itinerary, available in Ladakh, Himachal
features in most large towns. many cities have arts and craft Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
They stock a variety of goods, shops that sell handicrafts India’s renowned textile
ranging from clothes and made in the region. tradition ranges from South
leather items to kitchenware. Shopping in local bazaars, India’s glorious silk saris and
International brands of with their noise and colour, is Varanasi brocades to fine
cosmetics, perfume, fashion a unique experience. Located handwoven cottons, in a wide
accessories, home appliances, in the heart of old cities, bazaars range of designs and colours.
glassware and more are also are typically a maze of tiny Inexpensive casual wear can
available here. Boutiques shops and pavement stalls, be bought at pavement stalls.
specialize in popular Indian selling a variety of merchandise, Boutiques are good places for
designer labels, including high- from flowers, vegetables and designer clothes. Carpets and
fashion Western-style and other fresh produce, to cooking woollen goods, especially the
traditional Indian apparel. utensils, textiles and jewellery. pricey pashmina and jamavar
shawls, should be bought
only from reliable shops.
Government Emporia Specialist Stores Tea, spices, herbal products
All state governments have Specialist stores have built and incense are also popular
special outlets, with fixed prices, their reputation on the quality items. Kerala’s spices are
selling textiles and handicrafts of merchandise they sell. The famous, while tea can be
from that partic ular region. These passion for antiques has led purchased all over the country.
emporia have large premises in to a proliferation of shops Herbal cosmetics and incense
all state capitals, and although selling bronzes, stone sculpture are usually sold in general
the range and quality of the and metal artifacts. If you are stores, while attar (traditional
items vary, they are good places buying antiques, check with perfume) can be found in
to shop for gifts and souvenirs. the Archaeological Survey of most bazaars.
Some of the well-stocked ones
that also have branches in most
larger citites are Poompuhar
(Tamil Nadu), Rajasthali
(Rajasthan), Khadi (Delhi) and
Gurjari (Gujarat).

Craft Centres and Bazaars
The diversity of traditional
Indian crafts is one of the
attractions of travelling in this
country. Each region, town and
village specializes in a particular
skill, be it pottery, weaving,
metalware or painting. In some
smaller villages it is possible to
observe artisans at work and Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar, a treasure trove of antiques

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