I am going to India for two weeks (it's for business, but I will have a little time to sightsee and shop). What I am wondering is: what should I shop for? Are there any true bargains that
I am going to India for two weeks (it's for business, but I will have a little time to sightsee and shop). What I am wondering is: what should I shop for? Are there any true bargains that would make sense either to bring back on the plane or to ship home to the US?
I don't want to load up on useless trinkets and dubious souvenirs... Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
There are branches of the clothing and household fabrics store Fabindia in most cities. Certainly in Delhi. Great fun.
These are my favorites in Delhi: Fabindia is always my first stop. The government store Central Cottage Industries Emporium. They have a bit of everything at fair prices. In Old Delhi visit the street, an alley really, with the goldsmiths. I was taken there, don't know the name but your hotel or guesthouse will know it. Khan Market. Lots of good stores, especially Anokhi for clothes.
After you've shopped you'll have far more than you want to carry home with you. Go to the main post office at Connaught Place. Inside there's a man in a little booth who will put your treasure in a box and then sew fabric around it. Then take it to the counter to mail it, by air or ship. I always send by ship, very economical and it will get there, maybe 6 weeks - 2 months. Such fun when it arrives and you can distribute your gifts.
There are branches of the clothing and household fabrics store Fabindia in most cities. Certainly in Delhi. Great fun. These are my favorites in Delhi: Fabindia is always my first stop. The government store Central Cottage Industries Emporium. They have a bit of everything at fair prices. In Old Delhi visit the street, an alley really, with the goldsmiths. I was taken there, don't know the name but your hotel or guesthouse will know it. Khan Market. Lots of good stores, especially Anokhi for clothes. After you've shopped you'll have far more than you want to carry home with you. Go to the main post office at Connaught Place. Inside there's a man in a little booth who will put your treasure in a box and then sew fabric around it. Then take it to the counter to mail it, by air or ship. I always send by ship, very economical and it will get there, maybe 6 weeks - 2 months. Such fun when it arrives and you can distribute your gifts. Posted by jyphoto
Always enjoy your posts.We head for our 34 day trip to India with Indian Moments in two months. We just got our visas back fortunately--everyone said it was a huge wait, but no complaints from us. What kinds of things did you buy? What comes to mind initially to me is block printed cottons? What did you end up buying? Gold is so outrageous now---I'm not so sure. Did you buy clothing---if so what kind and how expensive? Any details you can impart would be most helpful. Also, any tips about Indian Moments---we have been dealing with Neeraj mostly--who has been great. Also, how many days did you have in Delhi and was it the best place to shop?
I found Indian Moments very responsive. I had requests along the way, small changes, additions and they always came through so don't feel you're necessarily locked into everything if you see something that appeals. It was their guide, added on a whim, who took me shopping the first time in Delhi. A hotel change in Jodhpur. Ask them anything.
Several times, then and since, I've used Delhi as sort of home base. I like the city. It's central to all of of the NW and a good place to hang out and plan the next move. Also, embassies are there so if you plan to go on it's a good place to get visas and tickets onward. By the way, regarding an Indian visa, I got the first by mail and the second, good for 10 years, in a few hours one day in San Francisco. It sometimes pays to go in person.
Yes, block printed fabric but also the hand loomed cottons. At Fabindia (N Block Market) I particularly like the men's kurtas and pants which are more useful when I get home than the more ethnic looking women's clothing. Around $20 a piece if memory serves. Cheap enough that you don't need to keep track very much of how many you've got in the pile - my kind of place. They take credit cards. Across the street from the big clothing shop there's a smaller one where they have their household things, tableclothes, pillows, etc. There are other clothing stores in the same street but I like Fabindia best. I didn't mention shawls. If you won't be going into the mountains you'll find them at Central Cottage Industries and lots of other places. I think the prices are better in Simla and other mountain towns but don't pass them up in the city if it's your only chance.
I love shopping everywhere in India. But Delhi is good, things from all over and I love the post office at Connaught Place for mailing everything home.
More about shawls: The best selection I've seen is a big store in Jodhpur in the old city. Bargain hard.
Jodhpur is also the best place I know of in India for antique furniture. Last time I was there I bought the bed I'll be retiring to shortly. If you buy a piece of furniture and don't have a full container, 1 piece as I did, air freight is less expensive than by ship. It makes no sense but it was true for me.
Other things I love to buy are steel food containers. You'll see them all over, less in Delhi than in smaller cities and towns.
Thanks for your tips! We bought teak dining room set in Chiag Mai once, so we know about the container thing. I never new I would need my passport to get our dining set out of hock at the port of Miami, good thing I had a copy in my purse at the time. What are kurtas, by the way?
Hyderabad is known for its pearls, set in beautiful designs. Delhi - you can buy anything from the emporiums in Connaught Place - Shawls, rich carpets. Head to janpath for small artifacts in bronze, silver and marble. Old Delhi is a must visit if you don't mind crowds,
Just came back from our first trip to India, using Indian Moments. We were very very pleased with this company, and found them extremely responsive and flexible. We had a great driver and good guides in each city. As for shopping, India is up there on the list of great shoppers' destinations. The best values are in textiles: custom-made clothing, scarves/shawls, rugs, pillow covers, wallhangings, etc. Also wonderful Indian miniature paintings. Found great stuff at great prices all over northern India, bargaining everywhere except in a few fixed-price stores. In Delhi, shopped twice (at beginning and end) at a wonderful outdoor market called Dilly Haat, especially for textiles. Other places with great markets are Udaipur, Jaipur, Khajaraho, Jaisalmer. Initial asking prices are generally double or triple what you should be paying, so bargain hard.
I was shocked at aall the beautiful things and the variety. The textiles are exquisite. There are rugs, pewter, silver,carvings, leather, thankss and coffee table books from all over the world at the cheapest prices I had ever seen. The arcades in the major hotels and gift shops seemed to have the highest quality merchandise (at the highest prices) but you can bargain everywhere. The various states have their own Cottage Industry Shops in Delhi, but don't count on finding the same things if you go to the state. Even though the airlines would have ruined them, I still regret not buying the set of had made leather luggage. In Connaught I saw this outdoor market with textiles where all the people were dressed in pajamas. I got incredible cushion covers. I wouldn't say this about any other Asian country, but in India, if you see something you want, buy it. Chances are you won't see it again.
If you wear glasses, India is a great place to update your frames and lenses. They use Japanese technology, the eye test is usually free or very low cost,and the products are as good a quality I get here at home. My prescription costs $250. here (Chicago Area);$90 in India. I usually use:
LensCraft Eyecare -- owner and optometrist is Mr. Ravi Puri
G-3 Marina Arcade
Connaught Place -- Delhi 110001
It is a few doors down from the Mercedes dealer toward the center of Connaught Place, and around the corner from the Radisson Marina Hotel. Its on the second level, above a Pharmacy;enter the pharmacy and take the stairs on the left) There is a big sign outside.
He is very easy to work with, has a good selection of fashionable, good quality frames and takes credit cards.
There are other stores for eyeglasses around Connaught Circle, you could check them out too.
I am headed to southern India in 6 weeks but spent a month in northern India two years ago. I concur that the textiles in India are outstanding and that you should buy when you see something you like as so much of the work is hand done. That means pillows, scarves, rugs and carpets. If you want an unusual item as I did n to wear to my son's wedding you might have an outfit or two made. I found some fabric I liked elsewhere and had top made to wear with leggings and slacks. Also jewelry is a good buy if you know what you are looking for. Sapphires from Kashmir which are available in Delhi are especially lovely. I studied a bit before I left and purchased from the government sponsored emporiums and got some very good buys. You can even have a piece made in 24 hours. One has to be cautious but the work is stunning. Seek help from your hotel or travel agent as to where to go depending in what part of the city you are located. The bangles you see in the market are a great inexpensive gift for the fashionista but they are often too small for western arms so search one that makes them in the larger size.
India is so great for shopping. Bargains and wonderful things everywhere. Just walk slowly through where you see things being sold (almost everywhere) and stop and look when you see something tempting. You will easily find market areas where there is nothing but shops for a few blocks. Bargaining is usually the norm. Be firm but nice. The more you buy from one source and the more you can usually get knocked off the price. For ex, buy one blouse or sari and you can only expect a small lowering of the price but buy four of them and you will get more of a discount. Certainly you can look for both fabric and clothing, especially if you like Indian fashions. Wearing a sari for a night out back home makes you very noticeable and unique. Home furnishings too like lamps or small chests. Jewelry galore but again you need to appreciate the Indian styles to purchase much. It can be very special looking and lovely. You just need to find what appeals to you. A major suggestion. Every major city in each state has at least one government shop or "emporium" where prices are marked and, generally speaking, fair. The stores are large and have a great selection to look at and potentially purchase. You will find them in the center of the cities where they are easily located. They will usually ship stuff home for you as well. During four trips to India over the years we have purchased a few items at these stores and the items we have purchased have always arrived. We also mailed some things ourselves at main post offices and did not have as good luck. I highly recommend you at least have a look at these government stores. Please reaiize that the three cities that you will be in all have very strong economies, especially Hyderabad and Bangalore. Lots of money in those cities so you will need to look closely to get good bargains in those cities. But, you can find bargains galore in those cities too. If you shop early in the day shop owners like to start the day with a good sale so getting a good price can be easier in the mornings. Have fun. Even if you do not purchase much you will find shopping much fun even though shop owners can sometimes be a bit annoying when they literally try to entice you to come into their shop. You can find yourself almost being dragged into certain stores. Relax and walk on if you don't like their attitude. There are so many stores that you will easily find nicer folks too.
Shopping in Mumbai (Bombay) is a memorable experience. Mumbai is a perfect shopping destination for all. Antiques, curios, carpets, handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, clothes, accessories, etc can also be bargained and bought.
I don't get it. The original poster said he was going to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi for business. Although you are correct that Mumbai is a great place to shop, this is not helpful information to the person going to India. If you know what you are looking for, the best advice I can give is to rely on business associates for suggestions, particularly when it comes to jewelry. Shopping is not all that pleasant because of the agressiveness of many shopkeepers. If you have free time and hire a guide to take you to some of the tourist attractions, expect them to make "unplanned" stops in jewelry or rug shops. Be advised that the prices will include a large commission to the guide. If someone you are working with offers to take you shopping let him do the bargaining.
Rooferbts said "Shopping is not all that pleasant because of the agressiveness of many shopkeepers."
To avoid this sort of thing, which can happen although not always by any means, go to the government emporiums suggested by me and others like Central Cottage Industries in Delhi and the state stores. My experience in these places is you can browse to your heart's content and not be bothered. They can be a calm place in the middle of the shopping storm.
Regarding hiring a shopping guide, my experience was very different from that described. I've only done it once, on my first trip to India, but I had a lovely time with the young woman that was sent to accompany me. We only went to the places I requested and it was like going shopping with a girlfriend.
It depends on which city you will be visiting in your trip. Each city of India is famous for special things. For example, if you visit Jaipur, then you can purchase handicraft items, beads jewelry, Jaipuri razai etc. So first you provide your travel plan then I can suggest what things you can purchase from genuine shopping stores. If you want some info about Indian products then you can visit Samaan.com where you can get all info about Indian products.
