Bhubaneswar
An excellent selection of Odishan textiles, including ikat fabric (featuring tie-dyed thread) and bomkai saris (known for their intricate needlework), are…
Must-see shopping in India
Auroville
This branch of Puducherry's much-loved Kalki brand sells gorgeous, kaleidoscopic clothing, along with oils, incense, soaps, jewellery and handmade paper…
Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Government-run store famous for its expansive collection of quality sandalwood and rosewood products as well as handmade weavings, silks and bidriware …
Dharamsala
The Norbulingka shop sells the centre's expensive but beautiful postcards, home-decor items and craftwork including jewellery, painted boxes and…
Jaipur
This store sells a range of musical instruments, including sitars, tablas, hand cymbals, bamboo flutes, dancing bells on ankle cuffs and harmoniums. The…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Original, high-end, artisanal clothing, jewellery, home decor and other objects of beauty under the bleachers of the cricket stadium. Enter via the Vinoo…
Leh
This outlet of Dzomsa in Upper Changspa has all the services of the main branch – water refills, laundry service and organic local products and juices.
Delhi
Not-for-profit NGO Dastkar promotes regional crafts, and its outdoor craft bazaar holds monthly themed events, showcasing cutting-edge regional culture,…
South Delhi
Exquisite embroidered jootis (leather slippers) in designs featuring chhatris (umbrellas) or flamingos, for children and adults, with prices ranging from…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Global haute couture (Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Burberry) and Indian high fashion come to roost at this towering mall in the central district. Also…
Panaji
On the corner opposite Panaji’s main church, Singbal’s is a local landmark with an excellent selection of international magazines and newspapers, and lots…
Amritsar
An old-school bookshop laden with interesting tomes spanning diverse genres, including the latest Indian and international English bestsellers, plus…
South Delhi
Beside the metro station of the same name, this frenetic flea market is the place to come for cut-price Western-style clothes, with minor faults or…
Delhi
A branch of the influential Fabindia store selling Indian clothes, with a wide range of cotton kurtas (long shirts) for men and women, and homewares at…
Chennai (Madras)
Elegant Amethyst Room brings a colourful upmarket twist to the Chamiers-complex shopping scene with its beautiful Indian-design couture.
Bhubaneswar
A wide-ranging exposition of Odishan handicrafts (and snack stalls) can be found at the 50 or so stalls at this permanent market, located within pleasant,…
Leh
This pedestrianised street of tiny shops is full of tailors and barbers, but several shops also sell prayer flags, Chinese brocade, carpets and other…
Mysuru (Mysore)
When you need a dose of air-con and some retail time, this mall fits the bill. Offers a wide range of clothing stores (including H&M and Levi's), cafes…
Chennai (Madras)
Colourful handicrafts and home-decor trinkets, including bedspreads, cushions, incense, scented candles and handmade-paper notebooks, all from Auroville,…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Friendly Abdul Razzak's brilliant street stall showcases his 5000-stong vintage vinyl collection, which leans heavily to Bollywood, classical and…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Stock up on colourful, handmade Dhabu block-printed and Chanderi-weaved cotton kurtas (shirts) and various pants – salwar, churidar, patiala – for the…
Pushkar
Brilliantly colourful women’s clothing, with modern designs but Indian in theme. Dresses and skirts start from around ₹500. Prices are clearly labelled…
Uttarakhand
In business since 1923, this bookseller and publisher stocks fiction, nonfiction and specialises in ecology, spirituality, local books and local author…
Pune
Stocks quality handicrafts, souvenirs, quirky bags, cool accessories and contemporary furnishings, including Khadi cosmetics and kitschy Elephant Company…
Panaji
Goa’s biggest mall is four levels of air-conditioned family shopping heaven with brand-name stores, food court, kids’ toys, bowling alley and arcade games.
Delhi
Founded in 1970 by the late Kanwarjit Singh Dhingra, this cosy independent bookshop is a genteel institution amongst the boutiques of quiet Jor Bagh…
Chennai (Madras)
One of Chennai's bigger branches of this much-loved fair-trade fashion, accessories and homewares brand, a bit out of the way in the southeast of the city.
Hyderabad
Big selection of Telangana and Andhra (and other Indian) crafts including brassware, leatherware, embroidery, paintings, carvings, furniture and textiles.
Jodhpur
Upstairs is an Aladdin’s cave of new and used books, piled high in no apparent order – great fun for browsing. Downstairs is filled with handicrafts.
Leh
This well-stocked bookshop is the first in Leh to install its own comfortable coffee shop area, with very decent espresso and wi-fi that actually works.
New Delhi
Unassuming Soma stocks block-printed cotton textiles at reasonable prices: anything from scarves to pyjamas and cushion covers to children’s clothing.
Kashmir & Ladakh
Kashmiri souvenirs include a range of papier-mâché work, silk shawls, crewel embroidery, carpets and saffron (₹295 per gram), all at fixed prices.
Mumbai (Bombay)
Fans of India's iconic motorcycle brand should make a beeline for its lifestyle store: cool T-shirts, helmets, boots, belts and other paraphernalia.
Leh
Leh has several colourful handicraft markets run by long-term Tibetan refugees, many from families who first fled to Ladakh more than 50 years ago.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
A beach-chic 'island lifestyle' boutique filled with breezy dresses, kaftans and pants, plus beachwear, tribal-inspired jewellery and a few books.
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Handy for Paharganj, this mini-supermarket is open round the clock and stocks a mix of Indian- and Western-branded snacks and packaged foodstuffs.
Mumbai (Bombay)
Even if you’re not the type to have your clothes tailored, drop by DD Dupattawala for pretty scarves and dupattas at fixed prices (from ₹110).
Rajasthan
Hamid Bihari sells exquisite kota doria (gold-woven saris), which you can see being woven upstairs. Located near Kaithoon police station.
Amritsar
Leading northwest from the Golden Temple, the atmospheric Kathian Bazaar sells blankets, stationery, tin pots and red-and-silver wedding bangles.
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Located between the Coffee House and bus station, it has a good selection of tribal jewellery, jute bags and wrought-iron and brass ornaments.
