| Shopping in Jaipur
is a pleasure. The main markets popular among
tourists are Jauhari Bazar, Bapu Bazar, Nehru
Bazar, Chaura Rasta, Tripolia Bazar and M.I.
Road. Jewellery, precious and semi-precious
stones and the famous 'kundan' and 'minakari'
work of Jauhari Bazaar attract many. Tie and
dye sarees such as 'Bandhni' and 'Lehariya'
are also famous in this market. Especially
the two lanes famous in this market for shopping
are Gopalji ka Rasta and Haldion ka Rasta
that boasts of housing good and reputed shops
for jewellery and traditional tie and dye
fabrics and textiles.
Bapu Bazar and Nehur Bazar are famous for
textiles, local perfumes and shoes made
of camel skin. There are a number of emporia
on Mirza Ismial road (M.I. Road) offering
a wide range of products such as jewellery,
brass work, textiles, blue pottery and woodwork.
Leather footwear such as shoes and 'jutis'
are best buys in Ramganj Bazar. Other famous
bazaars are Kishanpol Bazar for tie and
dye textiles, Maniharon Ka Rasta or Tripolia
Bazar for lac bangles and Subhash Chowk
for carpets. There is a lot of bargaining
here. Jaipur is internationally known for
its gemstones master cutters, polishers
and gemstone dealers. Other items to look
for in Jaipur are Stone Craft Marble, sandstone
articles and traditional miniature paintings.
Camel Leather Items
Hand-made leather products such as 'jutis'
(a type of footwear made of pure leather),
bags, sandals, purses and toys of Jaipur
are not only visually appealing and appeals
to one's aesthetic sense but are also of
good quality and impart a traditional look
to the wearer. If you want to keep a bit
of Rajasthan as a souvenir or gift it to
somebody, these are perhaps the best options.
Besides these, one can buy dolls made of
clay and cloth too. In Jaipur, generally
camel leather is used. Bapu Bazar (remains
closed on Sunday), Nehru Bazar (remains
closed on Tuesday) and Ramganj Bazar near
Hava Mahal are best places to buy the leather
items.
Handicrafts
Explore Amber Road between Zorawar Gate
and Holiday Inn to see variety of hand-block
prints, blue pottery, carpets and antiques.
Glazed blue pottery of Jaipur (such as 'surahis',
pots, mugs and jugs) is very famous and
owes its origin to Persian artisans. Other
handicrafts that are worth mentioning are
papier mache and carved furniture. Brass
works such as statues and toys, white metal
items, stone carvings especially white marble
statues of Hindu deities, animal and human
figurines; carved marble bowls and vases
are some of the other best buys in the markets
of Jaipur. If you don't have much time,
you can visit the big emporiums on M.I.
road, which brings everything at one place
just for you. While going on an excursion,
check the Saganer village for hand-made
paper, block prints and blue pottery, as
it is really famous for them.
Jewellery and Gems
Internationally famous for exquisite cuts
and polishing of emeralds, the traditional
and unique designs of gold jewellery of
Jaipur are also well reputed. Exploring
the jewellery shops at Johari Bazar, situated
at the junction of two lanes of Gopalji
ka Rasta and Haldion ka Rasta and M.I. Road,
is a pleasure for any woman. However, the
shops here remain closed on Sundays and
Tuesdays for some time, so it is best to
plan your jewellery shopping on rest of
the weekdays. Lac jewellery is produced
and sold at Maniharon Ka Rasta or Tripolia
Bazar. Lac bangles are especially very famous
and are loved by tourists. To buy silver
jewellery or precious and semi-precious
stones or just to see how cutting and polishing
of precious and semi-precious stones is
done, one may visit the Muslim dominated
area of Paharganj situated in Surajpol Bazaar.
There are a number of showrooms along Amber
Road.
Fabrics & Carpets
Jaipur is known for a variety of textiles
such as tie and dye fabrics, hand-block
prints and embroidered fabrics with mirror
work that are famous all over the world.
Sanganer situated very near Jaipur is the
prime centre for block-makers and printers.
The traditional colors of Sanganeri print
are orange and red and the floral motifs
dyed in yellow and blue-black. The play
of colors look bright and cheerful. Jaipur
also has a number of carpet centers and
the city exports carpets worldwide. The
varieties of carpets available here include
those with Persian and Caucasian designs
and patterns inspired by Afghans, Embroidered
and ornate Namdas or soft woollen druggets
and especially the hand-woven cotton durries
that are certainly a specialty of the city.
Emporiums of carpets can be found at M.I.
Road and Achrol House, Subhash Chowk.
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