Shopping in Rajasthan
Shopping in Rajasthan
Blue pottery, block prints, jewellery and miniature paintings: what to buy, where to find it and how to shop with confidence.
A land of crafts
Colour in every bazaar.
Rajasthan's love of colour spills out of its bazaars, onto its textiles, jewellery, pottery and paintings. Many crafts were developed under royal patronage and are still made by the same families today.
Every city has its specialities, so it pays to know what to look for and where.
What to buy
Crafts worth bringing home.
- Blue potteryJaipur's turquoise-glazed ceramics, made from quartz rather than clay, and popularised under Maharaja Ram Singh II in the 19th century.
- Block-printed textilesHand-printed cottons from Sanganer and Bagru near Jaipur, using carved wooden blocks.
- Bandhani & leheriyaTie-dyed fabrics in dots and waves, especially from Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur.
- Gems & jewelleryJaipur is one of the world's great gem-cutting centres, also known for kundan and meenakari work.
- ThewaFine gold work fused onto coloured glass, from Pratapgarh near Chittorgarh.
- Miniature paintingsDetailed paintings in the styles of Udaipur, Bundi, Kishangarh and Jaipur.
- Mojari & juttisEmbroidered leather slippers, found in every bazaar.
- Dhurries & carpetsFlat-woven cotton and wool rugs, and hand-knotted carpets from Jaipur.
- Puppets & lacquerwareColourful kathputli puppets, lac bangles and painted wooden toys.
Where to shop
City by city.
- JaipurJohari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for textiles and mojaris, and the workshops of Sanganer.
- JodhpurSardar Market for spices and bandhani, and antique and furniture workshops.
- UdaipurHathi Pol for miniature paintings, silver and leather journals.
- JaisalmerMirror-work textiles, embroidered bags and camel-leather goods.
- PushkarSilver jewellery, clothing and rose products in the main bazaar.
- BikanerBhujia snacks, sweets and camel-leather crafts.
Shopping tips
Buy with confidence.
- Bargain politelyIn bazaars, start at around half the asking price and settle with a smile. Fixed-price shops and emporiums don't bargain.
- Buy gems carefullyBuy from reputable dealers, ask for a certificate for valuable stones, and never agree to gem "export" schemes.
- ShippingMany shops can ship carpets and furniture. Get a written receipt with the shipping details.
- Commission shopsBe wary of drivers or strangers steering you to particular shops. Our guides will only take you where you ask.
