Enter any of the bazaars in India and you will be greeted by an array of handicrafts, jewelry, art, textiles, cloths, spices that dazzle your senses. You get a feeling that you’ve transcended into a century that has long gone by. You find these items in both street markets and state emporiums. You’ll be amazed to find traditional items and also a fusion of traditional items with a hint of Western influence.
It would be a gross understatement to say that you’ll be hard-pressed to decide what to buy in this shopper’s paradise. However, there are certain things that will come to you as a shock. The bustling markets with hundreds of people thronging it and the shopkeepers pleading with you at the top of their voice to simply give them a try can easily astound you. For a tourist visiting India, the entire experience can be quite a rush. We help you with tips on what to buy and how to make your experience a joyous one.
For your shopping in India, you can explore the markets, bazaars, emporiums, street vendors, and even malls. For those who love bargaining and have never tried it, yet want to, nothing compares to the chaos on the market streets. The state-owned emporiums tend to be marginally more expensive than streets and shops but are ideal for those of you who are averse to bargaining. Some State Emporiums bring you artifacts at a fixed price. Let’s explore shopping in India in a bit more detail, beginning with buying on the streets.
The shimmer and glitter of the markets will cast its spell on you, but as you explore the markets further, you’ll see that the same items are sold elsewhere too. So, it is vital that you don’t buy the first thing that you lay your eyes on. Check out the prices first and compare it among other vendors. Quality should be one of your concerns, so examine the quality of the products closely. You don’t want something that will not last you more than a week.
What if you fall in love with an item? There’s no doubt, you’ll fall in love with a lot of items during your shopping escapade in India, but that doesn’t mean you fall prey to your impulse. You’ll find other shops selling exactly the same thing. If you don’t, you can always come back to the store.
Haggling and bargaining are part of the “fun” shopping in India, so if you’re worried whether you are going to end up offending the seller, put your worries to rest. That’s how business is done in India. Set your own budget and don’t go beyond it. Never shy away from simply walking away if the price seems a little too steep. The chances are the shopkeeper will call you back with a revised price. Ideally, you should offer one-third of the asking price and settle for no more than half of it (Bargaining varies from shop to shop). Stay calm, shopping in India takes time.
It’s likely that you’ll start and end your tour in Delhi. So, if you’re left with a regret that you did not buy something that you fell in love with, the likelihood is high that you’ll find it in New Delhi. This move will also save you the pain of carrying what you bought throughout the tour. You’ll find state emporiums near Connaught Place that sell most of the artifacts you find throughout India. Of course, there are going to be a few things that you’ll not find in these emporiums. So, the best thing to do is explore these as you enter Delhi and revisit them just before your tour ends after visiting various places in India. This will give you a fair idea whether to buy something regionally or in the emporiums.
India is huge and everything differs from region to region, including the way people dress and design jewellery. Even the fabrics, artistry, and regional produce differ. For instance, Darjeeling is famous for tea, Rajasthan is famous for textiles and silver & precious stones ornaments and Mysore is famous for sandalwood products. These regional specialties are best bought in their place of origin. For instance, if you choose to buy silver ornaments in Rajasthan, you have the choice of buying it directly from an artisan. This means, you can give your inputs and design a piece of jewel that’s completely unique, while retaining its cultural essence.
Tourists who have been to India will tell you to steer away from shops recommended by drivers and guides. The reason behind this is simple – they usually get a small commission through the shopkeeper, which comes out of your pocket. Come to think of it, this is a practice followed all over the world, and India isn’t unique in this respect. On the other hand, you are likely to be taken to a reliable shop that brings you quality items at reasonable rates. The important thing is to buy an item that lasts. After all, it’s these souvenirs that are going to remind you of your adventures in India.
Spotting a fixed price shop is not hard. These shops clearly display this fact and also mention the prices. These prices are your point of reference with other stores that don’t sport a fixed price. Prepacked items like bottled water, cosmetics, branded items, packed food and electronics (camera batteries, digital cards) are sold at fixed prices. These prices are inclusive of taxes, so the price tag tells you exactly how much you need to shell out for them. Unless the shop advertises a discount, it is rare that a shopkeeper sells below the printed “maximum selling price or MRP.”
As we mentioned earlier, bargaining is a part of doing business in India – a trait that most Indians incorporate at a very young age. What seem like heated discussions around you in the market are nothing but people bargaining. If you are averse to bargaining, you’ll simply have to shell out a premium price for every little thing that you buy. Watch how people bargain around you and learn from it; it’s not going to be tough. Here are a few tips for you.
You will find a lot of men, women and even children selling small artifacts at famous tourist attractions (especially in North India). Some of them might constantly follow you and beg you to buy from them. If you are not interested, the rule of thumb is, simply walk away without responding. A polite no or a smile can be perceived to be a signal of interest and they might further follow you, pleading to buy from them.
Tip: There’s no doubt that street hawkers are quite annoying sometimes and must be dealt with firmly. However, it’s not a bad idea to take a passing glance at what they sell. Although the souvenirs that they sell are hardly unique, they can be quite cheap. A miniature monument, post cards, key-chain, camel bone items, soapstone coasters, camel leather items, and peacock items can be bought at throw-away prices. But don’t forget to bargain!
You could be buying a souvenir as a showpiece or something that you use every day. Whatever the case, you must not end up buying something that isn’t actually unique to India. Also, you should not be buying something that doesn’t belong to the region. For instance, you don’t want to end up buying tea leaves in Rajasthan which is the specialty of Nilgiris and Darjeeling. Then there are other items that are available throughout the country, albeit in different textures and designs; here we are referring to textiles and traditional jewellery. Let’s explore some of the unique must-haves!
You can tell that jewellery is Indian just by the look of it, but telling which part of India it belongs to can be quite a challenge. Gold is the favorite metal in almost all of India with the exception of Rajasthan where silver is more popular. The domestic flare for gold is what makes India the largest importer of this precious metal in the world. You will find these jewels studded with semi precious stones like emerald, turquoise, amethyst, amber, sapphire and ruby. Jaipur in Rajasthan is the major tourist attraction in North India and at the same time also the biggest center in India for cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious stones!
If you’re being offered “expensive” jewellery at a fraction of its cost, simply dismiss it; it’s a fake. Such jewellery is nothing but finely cut glass. However, if you are not really looking for value in the item and are simply going for the look, you need not worry about the genuineness. Imitation jewellery is easily available in the market. The point is that you must know that you are buying imitation jewellery and are not buying it thinking that it’s genuine.
Tip: Authentic gold jewellery is usually hallmarked. When purchasing any silver or gold jewellery; precious or semi-precious stones; loose precious stones or stones embedded in jewellery, ensure that you get a valid certificate mentioning the carat and weight along with the name of the shop.
Sarees: If you are a woman, then a saree is a must buy. The most vibrant ones are made of silk, while you also get ones made of cotton. Enter an exclusive saree showroom and you’ll be amazed by the choice that numbers in thousands. The most expensive ones are inlaid with fine gold strings while there are others which are studded with glass, beads and stones.
Handloom: This is another choice which looks simplistically elegant on both men and women. These are hand woven or block printed fabrics and by purchasing these, you would be contributing to the small and home industries and the local economy. You can buy kurtas (ladies tops), bed-sheet, and even decorative wall hangings to adorn your walls.
Pashmina and other shawls: Pashmina is a kind of cashmere that is made from the hairs of Pashmina goats that are found near the Himalayas. The traditional design and the smooth texture of these shawls make it an ideal piece that can be worn with almost anything. You can also choose among other shawls made of wool, silk and cotton.
Tailoring for a custom fit: Tailoring is fairly inexpensive and often offered free of cost (depending on the size of your purchase). This is especially true when buying textile in Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. Once the tailor takes your measurements, the attire is quickly prepared overnight and handed over to you the very next day before your check-out. However, there are a few important points to be noted in this context. Do not forget to take the visiting card of the shop before leaving it. In case the delivery of your custom-designed clothe is delayed, bring it to the knowledge of your driver, guide or Vacation India advisor so that we can help you out.
The choice before you when it comes to handicrafts and art can be dizzying. These items are region-specific and intricately hand-designed using traditional tools. Needless to say, no two items will, therefore, be exactly alike. This also means that a lot of labor goes into creating these. So, know the value of the item before you set out for a hard-bargain and pay them what they deserve.
Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiris (Thekkady and Munnar) are famous for their tea plantations. If you are visiting these places, don’t miss out on purchasing some fresh tea leaves. You’ll love the flavors.
Indian’s are almost obsessed with scented items with a lot of religious rituals demanding their presence. You’ll love the incense sticks made of sandalwood in Mysore. Try attar or natural perfumes that are extracted out of barks, spices and flowers.
Ayurveda is the ancient science of medicine and healthy living in India. Today, you find several branded Ayurvedic natural products and home remedies that are devoid of any chemicals or side effects. Try a simple face wash or soap or any Ayurvedic toothpaste, you’ll love the after-feel. Some famous brands for Ayurvedic products are Himalaya, Patanjali, Nirogam!
You’re sure to find shoes to your liking from the traditional shoe makers of India. If you have a penchant for footwear, you’ll love the choices. The traditional juttis made of leather are embroidered and fixed with stones, beads and glasses for the unique Indian look. They’ll go extremely well with your collection.
Indian spices have been famous throughout the world since time immemorial. They give Indian food the unique flavor and the mouth-watering smell. Visit any grocer and you’ll be flooded with choices. Just remember that not all spices are branded and prepacked. The seller will simply weigh and pack them for you. If you are skeptical of the quality, simply ask for a sample and smell the product. If it gives a distinct aroma, it’s good enough.
You’ll find that beautiful and bright colored carpets are all around you as you set out for shopping. Carpets can be quite expensive and come in various sizes. Of course, the bigger ones are most expensive. The material and the number of knots also count. Carpets can be made of cotton and even silk. However, this does not mean that you settle for a price that the seller quotes. There’s going to be plenty of room for bargain. Also, carpets tend to be bulky and you don’t want to carry it around. So, the best option is to simply get it delivered to your home in your country by using FedEx or DHL. Please clarify whether the seller charges extra for shipping. Normally, when it comes to heavy products, shipping charges are included in the price but ensure that you clarify this fact at the time of payment.
If you’ve fallen in love with some of the sweets or snacks that are specific to India, you should take some back home. There are different brands throughout India that sell packed traditional snacks and sweets that last for a couple of months. There are some snacks that you can fry once you take them back home. Consider Rasgullas, gulab jamoons, Sandesh, Pedha, papad, chutney, spiced pickles, and Indian cookies. If you are constrained by space, veer towards dry varieties.
You’ll surely visit smaller towns and villages that are flush with artisans during your India exploration. This is the time to mingle with them so that you can request them for a piece of custom jewellery or pottery. You could sit with them and design what you like in conjunction with their ideas. Nothing will remind you more of India than such souvenirs.
Take interest in what you buy. A T-shirt with a print that says “I love India” is hardly a souvenir. Take time to explore what the markets and emporiums have to offer you. Also, the shopkeeper might simply try to sell you what he fancies. You don’t have to oblige. Buy according to your tastes and sensibilities so that you don’t regret your purchase later.
Shopping in India could be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don’t run behind discounts. Rather look for quality, so that your souvenir reminds you of India fondly once you are home. What use is a cheap piece of jewellery if it’s not going to last till your journey to the airport.
Shopping is not a hurried affair in India, so take a seat and browse items until you find something that you fall in love with. Take help from your guide, driver or our representative to make this unique endeavor an enjoyable one. Just venture into the markets with an open mind, zero skepticism and a will to make the most of your shopping adventure.
Happy Shopping!
Please don’t forget to read our terms and conditions regarding our liabilities and limitations that cover shopping done in India.