Shopping in Rajasthan

Undeniably, Rajasthan is a shopper’s paradise as it has been endowed with a rich and diverse culture that has in return influenced the art and craft of the state. Rajasthan boasts quite an exquisite array of wares; jewellery; hand-woven sarees miniature paintings and pottery articles that will let you have no space left in your bag when you return from here. The state also boasts some flamboyant and bustling popular markets that offer a wonderful experience of having a glimpse of how the opulent culture and traditions in Rajasthan has affected its art and craft.

Rajasthan is primarily famed for its jewellery pieces, and is in fact popular as one world’s largest centres for hand-cut gems. The state is acclaimed for its quality of gold and silver jewellery along with Kundan and Meenakari styles of ornaments. The gold work on glass, called Thewa is also quite a popular thing to buy in Rajasthan. Another shopping worthy article in Rajasthan are its miniature paintings that have a Mughal influence to it. These paintings have intricate detailing and comes in different styles like Mewar, Bundi, Kota, Marwar, Bikaner, Jaipur and Kishangarh.

An ancient art of scroll painting called Phad also make for one of the best things to take back home from Rajasthan. Pichwais are another form of paintings, a little different from Phad; but equally attractive. Apart from the home decor in the form of paintings, Rajasthan offers an opportunity to buy some authentic and exquisite leather items, amongst which Mojari/Jutti/Shoes are the most popular things to buy. One can get the best Mojari from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaisalmer along with musical instruments made out of leather. From Bikaner one can purchase lamp shades, shields, vases made out of camel hide.

Rajasthan’s finest art can also be seen in its metal craft, of which items like figurines, pillboxes, photo frames and vases are available in the market for buying. Stone carved articles are also something that can be seen widely in the markets in Rajasthan. The best stone carved souvenirs can be bought in Jaipur, Kota, Barmer, Ajmer and Dungarpur. Terracotta craft in Rajasthan is also something to pay attention to, you can visit Alwar for its paper-thin (kagzi) pottery, Bikaner to buy painted pottery, Jaisalmer for stone wares, Molela for wall plaques, and Pokaran for tiny clay bells. However, amongst must buy in Rajasthan remains the exquisite and elegant blue pottery that can be best seen in Jaipur, Sanganer, Mahalan, and Neota. Other popular things to take home from Rajasthan include block print fabric of Sanganer and Bagru, the tie and dye bandhej fabric of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bikaner, and the lightweight Jaipuri quilts and the leheria printed sarees and turbans of Udaipur.