Shopping & Handicrafts

Handicrafts & Shopping

West Bengal is a paradise for handicraft lovers, offering a rich variety of traditional textiles, artwork, and unique souvenirs. Whether you are exploring Kolkata’s bustling markets, Santiniketan’s artisan hubs, or the heritage towns of Bishnupur and Murshidabad, you will find exquisite handcrafted items to take home.

1. Baluchari Sarees – The Royal Weave of Bengal

 Where to Buy: Bishnupur, Kolkata (New Market, Gariahat)

 Why Buy?

• Handwoven silk sarees with mythological motifs & intricate designs.
• Originally patronized by the Mughal emperors and Bengali aristocracy.
• A timeless heritage souvenir for saree lovers.

 Best Shops:
✅ Tantuja (Govt. Handloom Emporium), Adi Dhakeswari Bastralaya (Kolkata).

2. Kantha Embroidery – The Art of Hand-Stitched Elegance

 Where to Buy: Bolpur (Santiniketan), Kolkata (Dakshinapan, Gariahat)

 Why Buy?

• Beautiful hand-stitched embroidery on sarees, dupattas, and cushion covers.
• A centuries-old Bengali tradition practiced by rural artisans.
• Each piece tells a unique story, often depicting village life & mythology.

 Best Shops:
✅ Sasha Fair Trade, Amar Kutir (Santiniketan).

3. Terracotta Art & Bankura Horses – Bengal’s Tribal Heritage

 Where to Buy: Bishnupur, Kolkata (Dakshinapan, Shantiniketan markets)

 Why Buy?

• Handcrafted terracotta figurines, pots, and decorative items.
• The Bankura Horse, a symbol of Bengal’s rural craftsmanship, is used in home decor and temples.
• Perfect for interior decoration & gifts.

 Best Shops:
✅ Bishnupur local markets, Biswa Bangla Stores (Kolkata).

4. Shantiniketan Leather Goods – Artistic & Durable Creations

 Where to Buy: Santiniketan, Kolkata (New Market, Dakshinapan)

 Why Buy?

• Handmade leather bags, wallets, and shoes with embossed tribal motifs.
• A legacy of Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva Bharati craft movement.
• Stylish, durable, and unique.

 Best Shops:
✅ Amar Kutir, Biswa Bangla Stores.

5. Bengali Handloom Sarees – Traditional Weaves from Bengal

 Where to Buy: Kolkata, Shantipur, Fulia, Murshidabad

 Why Buy?

• Taant (Cotton Sarees) – Lightweight & perfect for summer.
• Dhakai Jamdani – Intricate muslin weave, elegant & luxurious.
• Garad & Tussar Silk – Preferred for festive occasions.

 Best Shops:
✅ Tantuja, Indian Silk House, Weaver’s Studio (Kolkata).

6. Pattachitra Scroll Paintings – Bengal’s Mythological Art

 Where to Buy: Midnapore, Kolkata (Academy of Fine Arts, Biswa Bangla)

 Why Buy?

• Hand-painted cloth scrolls narrating folk tales, epics, and deities.
• Crafted by Patuas (folk artists) using natural dyes.
• Can be framed as wall decor or used as bookmarks & souvenirs.

 Best Shops:
✅ Kalighat Art Gallery, Patuapara (Kolkata).

7. Dokra Metal Craft – Lost-Wax Tribal Art

 Where to Buy: Bardhaman, Bankura, Santiniketan

 Why Buy?

• Handmade brass figurines, jewelry, lamps, and home decor items.
• A 4,000-year-old craft practiced by Bengal’s tribal communities.
• Each piece is a one-of-a-kind collector’s item.

 Best Shops:
✅ Dakshinapan, Biswa Bangla, Santiniketan’s handicraft fairs.

8. Bengal Clay Dolls (Krishnanagar Pottery)

 Where to Buy: Krishnanagar, Kolkata (College Street, Gariahat)

 Why Buy?

• Handcrafted, painted clay dolls depicting rural life & deities.
• Perfect as children’s toys or home decor items.

 Best Shops:
✅ Krishnanagar Pottery Markets, Bengal Art Gallery (Kolkata).

9. Wooden Masks & Puppets – Folk Art from Purulia

 Where to Buy: Purulia, Kolkata (Dakshinapan, Biswa Bangla)

 Why Buy?

• Brightly painted wooden masks used in Chhau dance performances.
• A perfect blend of tribal craftsmanship & mythology.

 Best Shops:
✅ Local Purulia markets, handicraft fairs in Kolkata.

10. Bengali Sweets & Specialties – A Taste of Bengal

 Where to Buy: Kolkata, Murshidabad, Burdwan

 Why Buy?

• Roshogolla & Mishti Doi – Kolkata’s signature sweets.
• Nolen Gur (Date Palm Jaggery) – A winter delicacy used in Bengali desserts.
• Shaktigarh’s Langcha & Joynagar’s Moa – Famous Bengali sweets unique to their regions.

 Best Shops:
✅ K.C. Das, Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick, Naba Krishna Guin.

Best Shopping Places in West Bengal

 New Market (Kolkata): Best for souvenirs, handicrafts & sarees.
 Dakshinapan Shopping Complex (Kolkata): Handicraft & handloom hub.
 Gariahat Market (Kolkata): Traditional sarees, jewelry & terracotta items.
 Biswa Bangla Stores (State Government Emporium): One-stop shop for Bengal’s handicrafts.
 Santiniketan (Amar Kutir & Poush Mela): Best for handmade leather, Kantha embroidery, and Dokra art.
 Bishnupur (Terracotta & Baluchari Sarees): Heritage town known for handcrafted souvenirs.

West Bengal offers a wide range of unique souvenirs, from handwoven sarees and terracotta figurines to artistic leather goods and delicious sweets. Whether you love traditional textiles, tribal crafts, or Bengali sweets, you’ll find authentic treasures to take home!

 Best for Art Lovers: Pattachitra, Dokra Metal Craft, Wooden Masks
 Best for Fashion Enthusiasts: Baluchari Sarees, Kantha Embroidery, Santiniketan Leather
 Best for Home Decor: Bankura Horses, Terracotta Art, Krishnanagar Clay Dolls
 Best for Foodies: Roshogolla, Mishti Doi, Nolen Gur