Rajasthan is one of the best places in India to shop for handmade goods. Its artisans work in cloth, clay, metal, stone and lac, and many craft traditions are centuries old. Knowing what to look for makes shopping more fun and helps you take home something genuine.
What to Buy
- Block-printed textiles: Hand-printed cotton fabrics, bedspreads, scarves and clothes. The villages of Sanganer and Bagru near Jaipur are famous for them, and you can often watch the printing.
- Bandhani (tie-dye): Fabric tied in tiny knots before dyeing to create dotted patterns. It is popular in Jodhpur, Jaipur and Shekhawati.
- Leheriya: Diagonal, wave-like striped fabrics, often linked with the monsoon festivals.
- Blue pottery: Jaipur’s well-known blue and white ceramics, made using a technique that differs from regular clay pottery.
- Jewellery: Silver jewellery, enamel work and stone-set pieces. Buy from reputable shops and ask for a bill.
- Lac bangles: Colourful bangles sold in the old bazaars of Jaipur.
- Mojari shoes: Traditional embroidered footwear, best bought from specialised shops.
- Puppets: Wooden string puppets, popular in Udaipur and Jodhpur.
- Miniature paintings: Fine paintings in the Rajput and Mewar styles, best from known artists.
- Pichhwai art: Devotional cloth paintings linked to Nathdwara.
Where to Shop
- Jaipur: Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, Tripolia Bazaar and the villages of Sanganer and Bagru.
- Jodhpur: Sardar Market and the lanes near the Clock Tower.
- Udaipur: The old city lanes near the City Palace, including Hathi Pol and Bada Bazaar.
- Jaisalmer: Mirror-work and patchwork textiles near the fort.
- Pushkar: Silver jewellery, clothes and trinkets in the lake bazaar.
Government emporiums offer fixed prices and reliable quality, so they are a good place to learn what fair rates look like.
Smart Shopping Tips
- Check for genuine handwork. Hand-block prints show small irregularities, while machine prints look perfectly uniform.
- Compare prices at a few shops before you buy.
- Bargain politely and be willing to walk away.
- Always get a receipt.
- Pack fragile items well.
- Skip wildlife products. Items made from protected animals are illegal and harmful.
- Buy directly from artisans wherever you can.
Plan Your Shopping Trip
Combine shopping with sightseeing in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. For a Hindi version, read राजस्थान की हस्तकला.
