Shopping & Souvenirs

Major Categories of Indian Handicrafts:

1. Textiles & Fabrics:

• Banarasi Silk (Varanasi): Famous for bridal wear and saris with gold zari work.
• Chikankari (Lucknow): Elegant hand embroidery on muslin and cotton.
• Pashmina Shawls (Kashmir): Luxurious and warm, made from fine wool.
• Bandhani (Rajasthan & Gujarat): Tie-dye textile with vibrant colors and patterns.
• Kanjeevaram Silk (Tamil Nadu): Rich South Indian silk with temple patterns.

2. Jewelry:

• Silver Jewelry (Rajasthan): Tribal and antique designs.
• Meenakari & Kundan (Jaipur): Enamel work and stone-studded ornaments.
• Temple Jewelry (Tamil Nadu/Kerala): Inspired by classical dance traditions.

3. Pottery & Ceramics:

• Blue Pottery (Jaipur): Eye-catching Persian-inspired art with cobalt blue designs.
• Terracotta (West Bengal, Gujarat): Decorative figures and kitchenware.
• Khavda Pottery (Kutch, Gujarat): Traditional painted clay art.

4. Paintings:

• Madhubani (Bihar): Mythological themes painted with natural colors.
• Pattachitra (Odisha): Scroll-style paintings on cloth.
• Warli (Maharashtra): Tribal motifs drawn with rice paste.
• Miniature Paintings (Rajasthan): Mughal and Rajput influence.

5. Carpets & Rugs:

• Kashmiri Carpets: Hand-knotted wool and silk rugs with Persian designs.
• Durries (Punjab, Rajasthan): Flat-woven cotton or wool rugs.
• Bhadohi Carpets (Uttar Pradesh): Recognized worldwide for fine weaving.

6. Woodwork:

• Saharanpur (UP): Carved furniture and decorative items.
• Kashmiri Walnut Wood: Intricately carved trays, tables, and boxes.
• Sandalwood (Karnataka): Figurines, incense holders, and decor pieces.

7. Metal Crafts:

• Bidriware (Hyderabad): Inlay work on black metal with silver.
• Brassware (Moradabad): Decorative utensils and figurines.
• Dhokra Art (Chhattisgarh/West Bengal): Tribal bell metal sculptures.

8. Leather Products:

• Kolhapuri Chappals (Maharashtra): Handmade leather sandals.
• Bags, wallets & belts: Especially from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.