Udaipur is a city that possesses numerous shops and various types of interesting handicrafts found locally that add to a memorable experience of shopping in Udaipur. The most favorite buys at the shops of Udaipur include clothes, fabrics of all kinds, turbans, wall hangings, miniature paintings belonging to the Rajput era and wall hangings. The wonderful images of goddesses and gods that are crafted at Molalla village which is a village very close to Udaipur near Nathdwara, is something that cannot be missed. The major shopping spots of Udaipur include stalls found in clusters at Lake Palace, Jagdish Temple and the road beside Rang Niwas Palace Hotel.
There are a lot of colorful and attractive handicrafts found in Udaipur. It would always be a good idea for the tourists at Udaipur to purchase the handicrafts directly from the small factories that are located in and around Udaipur. But at the same time it is also important to remain aware of the commission system that exists with these small factories and therefore it would not be a good idea to shop for something at the very first sight. The most important shopping streets of Udaipur are the ones that run from City Palace through the street that leads to Jagdish Temple and beyond Hathi Pol. Bapu Bazaar, Suraj Pol, Ashwini and Chetak markets serve as very good areas for shopping in Udaipur.
Rajasthali is a government operated emporium located at Chetak Circle that deals in the sale of every kind of handicraft that is popular in Udaipur. Fair prices are always available at this place and at the same time quality of the items purchased are also very good. Mangalam is a shop located at Sukhadia Circle and it is considered to be the best for shopping of textiles, dhurries, handicrafts and numerous other products.
Contribution to the local communities of Udaipur can be made by visiting Sadhna located at Jagdish temple Road for the shopping of garments that are hand-stitched, linens and home wares. Shopping here means making an effective contribution towards the income of 500 tribal and rural women who actively take part in this kind of enterprise. People or tourists hunting for silver in Udaipur can visit Boutique Jagat Nihar located at Jagat Niwas hotel.
Udaipur is also considered to be a very good and ideal place or the purchase of Pichwai and miniature paintings that are found in unique styles in this city. Pichwai paintings are mainly wall hangings that are painted on silk or cloth, featuring scenes depicting Krishna’s life and these paintings owe their origin to Nathdwara. Some of the Pichwai paintings can also be picked up from the City Palace Museum shop where the prices are a bit exorbitant but the quality of the products are very good.
Further through the road at City Palace and on the similar street as that of Jagdish Temple lies the Ganesh Handicraft Emporium, which is actually located within one of the oldest and the most beautifully restored havelis of Udaipur. This emporium comprises marble floors, door frames that are Guajarati in style and carved out of ancient wood and courtyards that make it a perfect location for shopping through the spacious and uncongested rooms. It serves as a museum that as old as 350 years and it specializes in Kutchi, South Indian, Gujarati, Central Indian and Rajasthani textiles.
Other goods that can be bought in Udaipur are folk toys made out of wood and puppets, Meenakari work or enamel, block-printed and hand-printed fabrics, tie-dye, dhurries, embroidered clothing and bag and yes silver jewellery. However, one thing that is required to be kept in mind is that tourists and people should remain very careful before trying to buy anything and at the same time bargaining is also very important. There are a lot of places in Udaipur that indulge in the sale of paintings but the best place to get the best quality paintings are the museums and the government owned emporiums. Jagdish Emporium located on the road to City Palace serves as the best place that deals in the sale of traditional embroidery work of Udaipur. Beaded bags are also available in Udaipur and one can visit Chandpole Road for such bags where there are a lot of jewellery stores located.
Shopping Places in Udaipur
Udaipur is very famous for its temples and lakes but at the same time there are many places in Udaipur that are known for the shopping experience that they render to the tourists and even to the localities of Udaipur. People who travel to Udaipur in order to get the beautiful sight of the gardens, the temples, the lakes and the monuments located in the city also make it a point to go shopping in Udaipur.Udaipur serves as great treat for the people who love shopping and this is because Udaipur possesses a number of dynamic malls and markets that serve as the perfect place to get handicrafts and other products. The most famous places to shop in Udaipur are as follows:
Shilpgram Crafts Village
The Shilpgram Crafts Village serves as an ideal place for the people who love to assimilate tourism and shopping. This crafts village lies at a very short distance from the major hotels of Udaipur and a taxi can always be taken to reach this village within a very short span of time. This is an exclusive crafts village that has been developed with the motive of encouraging and promoting the craft and art of Rajasthan on a very wide scale. This village also renders dance performances to its visitors that help the visitors in getting an insight into the lifestyle of the people living in Udaipur and its interiors.Sadhna Emporium
Sadhna Emporium is just perfect for the people to enjoy and love shopping in comfort and in style. The emporium ranks among the largest commercial centers of Udaipur and it is also the most popular commercial center in Udaipur. The greatest thing about shopping at this emporium is the fact that the income generated from the sale is directly contributed towards the community development job of the local artisans. Wide variety of textiles and several other types of products are found available at this emporium. The prices are simply fixed at thi emporium but scopes of bargaining do remain.Chetak Circle
Chetak Circle is the most well-known area for shopping in Udaipur. Impressive numbers of domestic and international tourists visit Chetak Circle all round the year. There is no single thing in Udaipur that cannot be found at Chetak Circle ranging from clothing, souvenir t-shirts to local handicrafts that are developed locally. Chetak Circle is also comprised of libraries and cafes that offer huge scopes of relaxing.Lake Palace Road
Lake Palace is considered to be the most beautiful palace in Udaipur and it is also an enchanting attraction. This palace was built in the 18th century and it bears a pink exterior. The lake Palace Road serves as the best place for the shopping of embroidered articles and textiles that are hand woven. This is the perfect place for getting hold of all the old crafts and art of Udaipur.Jagdish Temple Street
The Jagdish Temple Street has been named after Jagdish Temple which is considered to be the most impressive temple in Udaipur. This street possesses a busy bazaar that indulges in the sale of various kinds of handicarfts that are developed locally. This street is also a great place to get hold of jewelry at competitive prices. However, it is important to be very good at bargaining skills in order to save a lot of money while shopping at Jagdish Temple Street.Bapu Bazaar
Bapu Bazaar is the most interesting place that serves as a shopping point in Udaipur. People who love shopping should always make it a point to explore Bapu Bazaar. Bapu Bazaar is a very huge market that offers its visitors the scope of buying the best things that Udaipur offers in the form of perfumes, shoes and textiles. The market has always been famous for its sale of jackets, textiles and shoes at affordable prices. The other things that can be purchased at Bapu Bazaar include the products that are manufactured by the use of camel skin like shoes, incense and brass products.These are some of the most important places for shopping in Udaipur and they are sure to replenish the shopping senses of the people who visit Udaipur. Shopping forms an important activity for the people who go on a trip to a certain place and this is something that is also found in the people who visit Udaipur. Since Udaipur is very rich in its heritage, tradition and culture, there are a lot of things that can be bought in Udaipur and they seem to carry a historical importance. Therefore, the Government of Rajasthan has taken effective steps towards making Udaipur a very strong shopping destination for its visitors.