Udaipur is the dream destination for many who die for lakes and palaces and anything associated with Rajputana history and culture.
But apart from its glorifying past, Udaipur has another point-of-attraction for hordes of tourists who grace this city every year and i.e. the enticing shopping items.
Among its lanes and by lanes, lively market places, tinted Rajasthan costumes or mouth-watering dishes Udaipur shall definitely make each day you spend here all the more pleasing.
But before hitting this city, you need to do a little bit of research about the famous shopping items that are intrinsic parts of Udaipur.
Below is the list of six of them :
Handicrafts from Chetak Circle
In places like Haathi Pol, Bada Bazaar, Chetak Circle of Udaipur, you can buy beautifully carved wooden toys, finely made clothes lantern, hand-made papers and recycled greetings cards, wall-hangings and the distinguished hanging puppets or kaath putlis that became synonymous with Rajasthan.
There are two types of shops in Udaipur where you can buy the handicrafts from –
If exploring the local markets and bargaining with the vendors in a new place give you kick, the do hit the road.
On the other hand, even just the thought of you negotiating and arguing over prices with hard-core sellers seems too much of a work, and then there are few shopping emporiums set by Rajasthan Government for the sake of buyers who wish to purchase items with fixed price-tags.
Jewellery from Palace Road
For Polki, Kundan and Meenakari jewellery design of Rajasthan Udaipur is the place where you can collect them at your heart’s content and after lots of bargaining.
From Polki jhumkas to Kundan naulakha necklace or meenakari maang tikka- whichever jewellery item you lay your hands upon, will stun you with it’s perfect finishing touches, hand-picked stones and flawless aesthetic appeal.
Palace Road, Bada Bazar is some of the popular arcades in Udaipur for purchasing this kind of jewellery.
Paintings from Haathi Pol Bazaar
Traditional paintings of Rajasthan like the Pichwai paintings, the Phad paintings, and Rajasthan miniature paintings are sold at negotiable prices; especially in Haathi Pol Bazaar in Udaipur.
Pichwai means ‘at the back’. This traditional art form had originated in Nathdwara and then spread across the whole state.
A colorful Pichwai painting depicting the ras leela of Lord krishna or a royal procession can bring an ethnic touch to your drawing room.
Apart from that, Phad paintings of Rajasthan which mainly focuses on portraying religious motifs- can entice you with their vibrant colors.
Lastly, miniature paintings of Rajasthan which had been an amalgamation of Mughal art and Rajputana’s own home-grown Mewar School of Art, also make for a collector’s item.
Leather Items from Manek Chowk
If pure leathers don’t repulse you, then indulge yourself with camel leather items- the famous offerings of Rajasthan and which are highly visible in any local market of Udaipur.
As one can relate Udaipur with splashes of colors, you can expect that the pure leather items that are available there, also emulating bright tints and sequins.
Whether its purses, wallets, jootis or jackets- splurge at your heart’s content while exploring the local markets of Udaipur.
It’s always advisable to purchase the camel leather products from street vendors, as they leave some scope for bargaining.
Otherwise, from fixed-price shops, you run a chance of getting cheated on when it comes to price. In general, Hathi Pol bazaar and Manek chowk are the best places to buy these items.
Antique Pieces from Jagdish Chowk
Antique furniture has a growing market in Udaipur. Jagdish Chowk and the popular near by art galleries are the best places to buy these items.
It’s another thing that most of us relate antique pieces with truckloads of money, but if the lady luck is by your side and if you have persistence, then definitely you shall land up at places that sell antique articles at cheaper prices and allow bargaining also.
If you are an interior designer, then it could be all the more interesting for you, as in Udaipur, you can pick up lots of interesting antique stuff that can catch the fancy of your clients back home- thus leading to a boom in your profession.
On the other hand, if you are hunting down for antique pieces mainly due to private collection and if you are obsessed with everything associated with antiquity of Rajasthan; then shops like The Royal Retreat, Rajasthan Art Industry and Karni Ethnic Creation are some of the right destinations for you.
Clothes from Bapu Bazaar
When it comes to clothes, Rajasthan comes out as a winner hands down, in terms of color and vividness, among all the states in India.
Udaipur is laden with shops that sell the customary Rajasthani Bandhni print in forms of- sari, kurti, lehenga, chunri or bags. Again, Bara Bazaara and Baapu Bazaar are the famous local markets to buy these specialities.
Apart from Bandhni, you can also go for blouses or stoles embroidered with mirror-works.
If you are a man, then don’t feel disappointed either, as you can choose from colorful turbans, bandhgala, jackets and sherwanis that once were the official costumes of kings and princes of Royal courts.