Shopping in India
Apr 11th, 2011, 07:34 AM
#1
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Shopping in India
What are some of the things that would be great to buy in India at absolutely cheap or reasonable prices. Please give us some tips on things and where to find them in Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
Thank you kindly.
Thank you kindly.
Apr 11th, 2011, 10:47 AM
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find things in stores and in markets....stay clear of toursit shops where guides take you...
things made of cloth: tablecloths, placemats, clothing
fancy shoes for women
costume jewelry
silver and gold jewelry with or without stones
brassware
wallhangings
dishes of all types
things made of cloth: tablecloths, placemats, clothing
fancy shoes for women
costume jewelry
silver and gold jewelry with or without stones
brassware
wallhangings
dishes of all types
Apr 11th, 2011, 01:41 PM
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I just found this information regarding markets in Delhi. Perhaps it will help you.
Dilli Haat – This huge Delhi market has been deliberately made to feel like a traditional weekly village market, called a haat. Small thatched roof cottages with a village atmosphere give it great ambiance. The market offers an exciting blend of handicrafts from all over India, food, and cultural and music performances. The entry fee is 15 rupees (35 cents). Don't miss it! shops are owned and operated actually by regional artisans (from various regions of India) who rent space on a short time basis, say for a month or so at a time. When they sell what they have produced, they will leave Delhi to go back home to make more product to sell. So it's a place where you may find unique and different artifacts at different times at reasonable prices.
• Location: Sri Aurobindo Marg (opposite INA Market). Also at Netaji Subash Place (adjacent to Netaji Subash Place Metro Station), and Pitampura.
• Opening Hours: Daily from 10.30 a.m. to 10 p.m., including national holidays.
• What to Buy: Indian handcrafts and artifacts.
Janpath and Tibetan Market
This very popular and lively Delhi market, which was recently given a makeover, has something for everyone. You'll find goods from everywhere in India and Tibet here, and it's a great place to shop for things to take back home. However, you'll need all your bargaining skills to get a really decent price.
• Location: Janpath, just off Connaught Place, in central New Delhi.
• Opening Hours: Daily.
• What to Buy: Handicrafts, hippy clothing, shoes, paintings, brassware, Indian artifacts, leather work, and cheap jewelry.
3. Khan Market
Sharell Cook
Khan Market is a small, U-shaped, well established market that's one of Delhi's classiest. Bargain hunters are likely to be disappointed at this market. It's got a loyal following who go there to shop at its branded outlets. One of the best things about this market is its interesting book shops. It's also got some excellent tailors who will make you a suit in less than a week. For Ayurvedic food, medicine and skin care check out Biotique, and Khadi. Hidden away, you'll find some great lounges to relax in, many with balconies overlooking the street.
• Location: South New Delhi, not far from India Gate.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Books, music, branded and tailored clothes, Ayurvedic food and cosmetics, and lamps.
4. Paharganj
Sharell Cook
Some of the best bargain shopping in Delhi can be found in the crumbling and chaotic Main Bazaar of the Paharganj traveler ghetto. Many of the shops in Paharganj also deal in wholesale and export to foreign countries, making it a good place to come and hunt out unique and inexpensive goods to import back home.
• Location: Paharganj Main Bazaar, opposite the New Delhi Railway Station.
• Opening Hours: Daily until around 9 p.m.
• What to Buy: Clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, music, textiles, handicrafts, hookah pipes, incense.
5. Chandni Chowk
The shopping district of Chandni Chowk has been in existence for hundreds of years and an exploration of its winding, narrow alleyways is certainly an adventure. The lanes of Chandni Chowk are divided into bazaars with different areas of specialization. For fabrics, head to Katra Neel. In the Bhagirath Palace area, you'll find a huge range of electronics. Dariba Kalan is Old Delhi's ancient silver market full of silver jewelry. Food vendors in Chandni Chowk also serve up a delicious assortment of Delhi street food.
• Location: Old Delhi.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Fabrics, jewelry, and electronic goods.
6. Lajpat Nagar (Central Market)
The hectic Lajpat Nagar market provides an interesting glimpse into Indian culture. It's one of the oldest markets in India and is abuzz with middle class Indian shoppers, all swarming around its roadside stalls and showrooms. One of this market's main attractions is the Mehendiwalas, who will apply beautiful Henna designs to your hands with astonishing speed. You'll also find reasonably priced Indian kurti tops and salwaar kameez suits here.
• Location: South New Delhi, near Defence Colony (between Greater Kailash and South Extension).
• Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays.
• What to Buy: Indian clothing, shoes, bags, accessories (including Indian bangles), and home furnishings.
7. Sunder Nagar
This quaint market attracts quite a few rich Indian socialites because of its art and antique shops. It's a well-designed market in an upscale neighborhood. You'll also find some wonderful tea shops there. Try the Regalia Tea House and Mittal Tea House.
• Location: Off Mathura Road in central New Delhi, not too far away from Connaught Place, near the zoo and Oberoi Hotel.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Silver jewelry, art, textiles, carpets, and antiques.
Dilli Haat – This huge Delhi market has been deliberately made to feel like a traditional weekly village market, called a haat. Small thatched roof cottages with a village atmosphere give it great ambiance. The market offers an exciting blend of handicrafts from all over India, food, and cultural and music performances. The entry fee is 15 rupees (35 cents). Don't miss it! shops are owned and operated actually by regional artisans (from various regions of India) who rent space on a short time basis, say for a month or so at a time. When they sell what they have produced, they will leave Delhi to go back home to make more product to sell. So it's a place where you may find unique and different artifacts at different times at reasonable prices.
• Location: Sri Aurobindo Marg (opposite INA Market). Also at Netaji Subash Place (adjacent to Netaji Subash Place Metro Station), and Pitampura.
• Opening Hours: Daily from 10.30 a.m. to 10 p.m., including national holidays.
• What to Buy: Indian handcrafts and artifacts.
Janpath and Tibetan Market
This very popular and lively Delhi market, which was recently given a makeover, has something for everyone. You'll find goods from everywhere in India and Tibet here, and it's a great place to shop for things to take back home. However, you'll need all your bargaining skills to get a really decent price.
• Location: Janpath, just off Connaught Place, in central New Delhi.
• Opening Hours: Daily.
• What to Buy: Handicrafts, hippy clothing, shoes, paintings, brassware, Indian artifacts, leather work, and cheap jewelry.
3. Khan Market
Sharell Cook
Khan Market is a small, U-shaped, well established market that's one of Delhi's classiest. Bargain hunters are likely to be disappointed at this market. It's got a loyal following who go there to shop at its branded outlets. One of the best things about this market is its interesting book shops. It's also got some excellent tailors who will make you a suit in less than a week. For Ayurvedic food, medicine and skin care check out Biotique, and Khadi. Hidden away, you'll find some great lounges to relax in, many with balconies overlooking the street.
• Location: South New Delhi, not far from India Gate.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Books, music, branded and tailored clothes, Ayurvedic food and cosmetics, and lamps.
4. Paharganj
Sharell Cook
Some of the best bargain shopping in Delhi can be found in the crumbling and chaotic Main Bazaar of the Paharganj traveler ghetto. Many of the shops in Paharganj also deal in wholesale and export to foreign countries, making it a good place to come and hunt out unique and inexpensive goods to import back home.
• Location: Paharganj Main Bazaar, opposite the New Delhi Railway Station.
• Opening Hours: Daily until around 9 p.m.
• What to Buy: Clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, music, textiles, handicrafts, hookah pipes, incense.
5. Chandni Chowk
The shopping district of Chandni Chowk has been in existence for hundreds of years and an exploration of its winding, narrow alleyways is certainly an adventure. The lanes of Chandni Chowk are divided into bazaars with different areas of specialization. For fabrics, head to Katra Neel. In the Bhagirath Palace area, you'll find a huge range of electronics. Dariba Kalan is Old Delhi's ancient silver market full of silver jewelry. Food vendors in Chandni Chowk also serve up a delicious assortment of Delhi street food.
• Location: Old Delhi.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Fabrics, jewelry, and electronic goods.
6. Lajpat Nagar (Central Market)
The hectic Lajpat Nagar market provides an interesting glimpse into Indian culture. It's one of the oldest markets in India and is abuzz with middle class Indian shoppers, all swarming around its roadside stalls and showrooms. One of this market's main attractions is the Mehendiwalas, who will apply beautiful Henna designs to your hands with astonishing speed. You'll also find reasonably priced Indian kurti tops and salwaar kameez suits here.
• Location: South New Delhi, near Defence Colony (between Greater Kailash and South Extension).
• Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays.
• What to Buy: Indian clothing, shoes, bags, accessories (including Indian bangles), and home furnishings.
7. Sunder Nagar
This quaint market attracts quite a few rich Indian socialites because of its art and antique shops. It's a well-designed market in an upscale neighborhood. You'll also find some wonderful tea shops there. Try the Regalia Tea House and Mittal Tea House.
• Location: Off Mathura Road in central New Delhi, not too far away from Connaught Place, near the zoo and Oberoi Hotel.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Silver jewelry, art, textiles, carpets, and antiques.
Apr 20th, 2011, 07:00 PM
#6
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You can get to Khan Market and Lajpat Nagar via the Metro. A short walk around the corner, past the Ambassador hotel to Khan Market (it has lost some of its atmosphere over the years). There is a shop that sells wedding and puja items that also sells a variety of essential oils only Rs250 each as well as alabaster oil burners. The restaurants are all upstairs and are entered through the centre section of the two semicircular buildings. The Barista cafe serves good coffee and has a balcony you can sit on and watch the passing parade. Excellent Mango smoothies too and clean toilets!
Lajpat Nagar is at least two easy changes on the Metro from Rajiv Chowk (CP) and a bit of a walk or you can take a three wheeler for a price. The main street is lined with lots of upper priced shoe and clothing shops (many of them international brands) The market is on the right hand side and consists of lots of 'squares" with lots of lanes. You cant really get lost. You can get reasonable Indian fashions here as well as cheap clothing and shoes. There are also shops that sell household items which can be interesting. I bought a tiny grater for nutmeg for $A1 - I would have paid about $A10+ back home. The henna designers sit in a row on small stools along the pavement. You can see the beautiful designs they churn out effortlessly. Some of Lajpat Nagar is given over to 'export" market items such as bulk linen and you can see women going in and bargaining for large amounts of curtaining or bedspreads either for their homes, weddings of daughters or for export for their shops overseas. There is also a restaurant "Rosys" upstairs in the market that has good South Indian food.
The row of State Emporiums is also worth a visit on Baba Karak Singh Road along the side of Block A of CP. Visit all of them and then decide which you want to go back to. I bought some reasonably priced gemstones from Rajasthali (Rajasthan State Emporium). Some of the Emporiums could do with a good renovation.
Wengers make good cakes in CP and 2 blocks on is the tiny doorway leading upstairs to Fab India. Look carefully or you will miss it. Has a good selection of Indian clothing for both men and women as well as some well priced natural soaps (make good gifts) teas, spices and toiletries. Be prepared to have the guard inspect your bill and goods as you leave.
Kadhi Grahomog is another place next to the Odieon Cinema (I think) which has clothing made of Khadi the natural cotton that Ghandi supported.
Visit the Amrit Book Shop in CP (Block M?) for maps and guidebooks that you will not find overseas or readily on the internet. The Outlook Series is a good one.
And when you have had enough, have a coffee and cake at one of the Barista coffee shops (Cafe da Coffee (CDC)) should be avoided as the owner has purchased large tracts of the Amazon forest which he intends to plunder for the exotic wood) or for clean good food - visit Haldirams in Block L. Alternatively you can visit any of the high priced restaurants around CP.
Bigger department stores and entertainment centres can be found in Noida.
Lajpat Nagar is at least two easy changes on the Metro from Rajiv Chowk (CP) and a bit of a walk or you can take a three wheeler for a price. The main street is lined with lots of upper priced shoe and clothing shops (many of them international brands) The market is on the right hand side and consists of lots of 'squares" with lots of lanes. You cant really get lost. You can get reasonable Indian fashions here as well as cheap clothing and shoes. There are also shops that sell household items which can be interesting. I bought a tiny grater for nutmeg for $A1 - I would have paid about $A10+ back home. The henna designers sit in a row on small stools along the pavement. You can see the beautiful designs they churn out effortlessly. Some of Lajpat Nagar is given over to 'export" market items such as bulk linen and you can see women going in and bargaining for large amounts of curtaining or bedspreads either for their homes, weddings of daughters or for export for their shops overseas. There is also a restaurant "Rosys" upstairs in the market that has good South Indian food.
The row of State Emporiums is also worth a visit on Baba Karak Singh Road along the side of Block A of CP. Visit all of them and then decide which you want to go back to. I bought some reasonably priced gemstones from Rajasthali (Rajasthan State Emporium). Some of the Emporiums could do with a good renovation.
Wengers make good cakes in CP and 2 blocks on is the tiny doorway leading upstairs to Fab India. Look carefully or you will miss it. Has a good selection of Indian clothing for both men and women as well as some well priced natural soaps (make good gifts) teas, spices and toiletries. Be prepared to have the guard inspect your bill and goods as you leave.
Kadhi Grahomog is another place next to the Odieon Cinema (I think) which has clothing made of Khadi the natural cotton that Ghandi supported.
Visit the Amrit Book Shop in CP (Block M?) for maps and guidebooks that you will not find overseas or readily on the internet. The Outlook Series is a good one.
And when you have had enough, have a coffee and cake at one of the Barista coffee shops (Cafe da Coffee (CDC)) should be avoided as the owner has purchased large tracts of the Amazon forest which he intends to plunder for the exotic wood) or for clean good food - visit Haldirams in Block L. Alternatively you can visit any of the high priced restaurants around CP.
Bigger department stores and entertainment centres can be found in Noida.
Oct 13th, 2013, 05:41 PM
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I know this trip is long over with but I will add my small store of Bombay shopping info to this thread, as it's the most recent on the topic.
For happy trinket-and-bargain hunting - in South Bombay, near the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Gateway to India, and the Kala Ghoda art-gallery district: Colaba Causeway - it's just a long rank of stalls -- bangles, hankies, lovely little necklaces, etc.
And in North Bombay, Linking Road is dozens or hundreds of vendors of sandals (jooti).
And then if you get yourself to Bombay during the Kala Ghoda arts festival, in early February (extremely highly recommended), you'll find delirium-inducing shopping as the 10-day festival sponsors a long outdoor market of handicraft vendors from all over India -- its curated, so it's all good quality, and pretty much fixed prices, too.
Apart from the low-priced finds -- the Anokhi and FabIndia shops are all wonderful. Both companies work with village textile people and traditions, and make really wearable clothes, mostly (but not exclusively) for women, and many very adapatable to the Western wardrobe (tunic, trousers, stoles, skirts). Anokhi I think sticks to Rajasthani textile arts. One or both these longstanding and successful lines were started up by Ford Foundation projects to provide work for textile artisans.
For happy trinket-and-bargain hunting - in South Bombay, near the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Gateway to India, and the Kala Ghoda art-gallery district: Colaba Causeway - it's just a long rank of stalls -- bangles, hankies, lovely little necklaces, etc.
And in North Bombay, Linking Road is dozens or hundreds of vendors of sandals (jooti).
And then if you get yourself to Bombay during the Kala Ghoda arts festival, in early February (extremely highly recommended), you'll find delirium-inducing shopping as the 10-day festival sponsors a long outdoor market of handicraft vendors from all over India -- its curated, so it's all good quality, and pretty much fixed prices, too.
Apart from the low-priced finds -- the Anokhi and FabIndia shops are all wonderful. Both companies work with village textile people and traditions, and make really wearable clothes, mostly (but not exclusively) for women, and many very adapatable to the Western wardrobe (tunic, trousers, stoles, skirts). Anokhi I think sticks to Rajasthani textile arts. One or both these longstanding and successful lines were started up by Ford Foundation projects to provide work for textile artisans.
Oct 23rd, 2013, 01:42 AM
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No doubt Delhi is a best place for shopping. But the only condition is that you have to be a experienced person in bargaining. Chandani Chwonk, Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh all are best place for shopping. But you have to be tentative and bargain master.
