Stay logged in to proceed with bookings, orders and offers.
On changing the terminal, you will loose items in your cart. Are you sure you want to change your terminal?
A shopaholic's guide to finding the best art and craft products in the royal state of Rajasthan
Rajasthan—the land of Maharajas—has a lot to offer. From unique landscapes to forts and palaces, the state is the ultimate hub of the beautiful byproducts of an age-old culture and tradition. The land of deserts and dunes has seen centuries under royalty who patronised artisans to hone their craft for centuries. The artisans brought their talent in the form of colourful artwork, which became popular worldwide. The tradition of creating handmade art and craft items continues to prosper in Rajasthan to this day.
If there is one state in India that I recommend for unique art and craft markets, it's the royal state of Rajasthan. I visited different cities in Rajasthan on many occasions where my sole agenda was shopping! Read on to find out how I explored the state as a shopaholic.
Jaipur is the hub where artisans come together to raise their talent to the global stage. The pink city sees a footfall of tourists from all parts of the world. They come here expecting to see the marvellous forts and palaces. Little do they know that this trip would end up being a shopping spree as well.
As I stepped into the bustling streets of Jaipur, the vibrant colours of the city engulfed me. The pink buildings and the intricate architecture were a sight to behold. I knew that this trip was going to be unforgettable.
I had heard about the traditional art forms of Rajasthan and was excited to explore them. My first stop was the Kundan Jewellery shops. These exquisite pieces of jewellery, made by forging gems into a gold wooden base, were nothing short of stunning. I found myself in awe of the intricate designs and the melody of colours.
My next stop was the Bandhani shops. The tie-and-dye prints were nothing like what is found elsewhere. The colours, the patterns, and the designs were unique to Jaipur. I bought myself a beautiful Bandhani dupatta, mentally noting the number of family functions I would be gracing while wearing it.
As I explored the city, I stumbled upon the Bagru and Sanganeri Prints shops. The wooden block printing techniques used to create these prints were something I had never seen before. The skill and precision required to make these prints were truly impressive. I bought myself a few pieces of fabric, and knew these prints would always remind me of Rajasthan.
The last stop of my trip was the Blue Pottery shops. The bright blue crockery stood out against the other traditional items. I was fascinated by how they didn't use clay but quartz and glass to make the pottery. I bought myself a complete set, and I couldn't wait to use them in my home.
Johri Bazaar in Jaipur is a one-stop market for all kinds of jewellery. Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar are popular for clothing. You can also find ornaments and home decoratives here. Do not forget to use your bargaining skills.
The blue city of Jodhpur served as the capital of Marwar for centuries. Located at the edge of the Thar Desert, the city is home to craftspersons with unique skills. They find their origins in the lifestyle of the desert and their colourful, vibrant and intricate artwork is native to this place.
One of the most popular items to buy in Jodhpur is the mojari shoe. These traditional leather shoes are massively popular and come in colourful designs. I visited a local shop and found myself spoilt for choice. I bought a pair of vibrant mojaris with intricate embroidery, which I couldn't wait to flaunt with my daily wear. I also picked up a few for my friends whose show size was the same as mine.
Another popular handicraft of Jodhpur is the Pachranga Saree, made up of five contrasting colours. The white chiffon sarees are used to create leheriya or sea wave patterns. I couldn't resist buying one for myself as it was unique and a perfect addition to my saree collection.
The leatherwork of Jodhpur is not just limited to shoes and belts. Camel skin is tanned and used to produce notebook covers, sling bags, purses and even small furniture items. I bought a camel leather notebook cover, beautifully crafted and found only in the city.
Sheesham woodwork is another popular item to buy in Jodhpur. I visited a furniture shop on Palace Road and found myself awestruck by the quality and assortment of furniture. From jharokhas to cabinets to designer doors, they had it all.
The jewellery in Jodhpur is famous throughout India. I went to Tripolia Market and found a plethora of options to choose from. I bought a borla rakhdi, a popular mang-teeka shaped like a bell, and aad, a rectangular gold choker. These unique pieces of jewellery are sure to make a statement wherever one goes.
Lastly, I was amazed to find out about the bone handicraft of Jodhpur. The bones of dead cattle are used to create home decoratives like jewellery boxes, pen stands, and mirror frames. I went to Clock Tower and bought a beautiful mirror frame carved and polished to give it an ivory-like finish. It made an amazing gift to my mother.
Station Road and Basni are popular for textile shopping, while Makrana Market is where you can find leather goods. Palace Road could be your go-to place for furniture shopping, and Tripolia Market and Clock Tower are your one-stop markets for jewellery and bone handicrafts. Overall, Jodhpur is a city with a unique charm, and I was thrilled to have experienced it, while adding exquisite handicraft to my stash.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Udaipur, the City of Lakes, and I must say that it was one of the most mesmerising experiences of my life. The moment I stepped into the city, I was struck by its beauty and charm. The city is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and is famous for its man-made lakes which add to its picturesque setting.
I was fascinated by the medley of art forms I encountered during my stay. The Jal Sanjhi art, which involves creating paintings that float on water using a rice stencil, was particularly intriguing. The artisans would dip the stencil into a bowl of coloured water and gently place it on the surface of the water. The colours would slowly seep into the canvas to produce the final art form. The result was a beautiful, intricate painting that seemed to be floating on water.
Another art form that caught my attention was handmade paper art. The paper was made from organic material and was used to make diaries and notebooks. The miniature paintings, which depicted the everyday life of royalty, are also unique to the place. The intricate details made using natural colours were truly impressive. These unique stationery items also make for excellent gifts.
When it comes to shopping, there are several popular places in Udaipur where you can find these crafts. The City Palace Road, Hathi Pol Market, Jagdish Temple area, and Shilpgram are some of the best places for shopping cultural souvenirs.
I spent hours exploring these markets and was amazed by the range of products each had to offer. From clothes to jewellery to handicrafts, there was something for everyone. Whether you wish to shop for your wedding jewellery or buy gifts for family and friends, these cities in Rajasthan will leave you spoilt for choice!
The Adani One expressly disclaims all liability, direct and indirect, in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this Blog. The Blog is an opinion of the contributor based on the collation of data from various sources and is provided only for information purpose. Adani One does not canvass, advertise, solicit, invite or induct for any product, merchandise, information, brand or any other materials mentioned in the Blog, nor does it obtain any monetary benefit from the same. Reader is advised to read and apply his/her intellect and discretion in this regard. Any Intellectual Property mentioned in this blog belongs to the rightful owner. We do not intent to claim any interest over the same.
