A city-by-city shopping guide to Rajasthan: block prints in Jaipur, leather in Jodhpur, miniature paintings in Udaipur, silver in Pushkar, and how to shop smartly.
Quick facts
- Best buys
- Block prints, bandhani, blue pottery, jewellery, leather mojari
- Where
- Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar
- Bargaining
- Expected in bazaars, not in fixed-price emporiums
- Best months
- October to March, when markets are comfortable
- Typical spend
- From cheap scarves to costly gemstones and rugs
Rajasthan is one of the best places in India for crafts, and each city has its own speciality. Jaipur is the main stop for block prints, jewellery and blue pottery, Jodhpur for furniture and leather, Udaipur for miniature paintings and Jaisalmer for mirror-work textiles. Plan to shop slowly, compare prices and bargain politely in bazaars.
Jaipur: the biggest shopping city
Jaipur is the obvious place to start. The Pink City's old bazaars each have a trade. Johari Bazaar is known for jewellery and gemstones, Bapu Bazaar for textiles, mojari shoes and souvenirs, and Tripolia Bazaar for brass, lac bangles and utensils. Most of these lanes are within walking distance of the Hawa Mahal and the City Palace.
Good things to buy here include:
- Block-printed cotton: Hand-stamped scarves, bedspreads, kurtas and fabric by the metre. The villages of Sanganer and Bagru near Jaipur are known for their printing styles, and many workshops welcome visitors.
- Blue pottery: Glazed tiles, plates and small vases in blue and white. It is made without clay and is fragile, so have it packed well.
- Jewellery: Silver and gold pieces, meenakari enamel work, kundan and polki styles, and gemstones. Jaipur is a major gem-cutting centre, but this is a category where you must be careful.
- Lac bangles: Colourful and inexpensive, a classic Jaipur gift.
- Rajasthani mojari: Embroidered or plain leather shoes, usually comfortable after a little breaking in.
Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer
Jodhpur is known for furniture and handicrafts, antique-style wooden pieces, brassware, bandhani tie-dye, leather goods and spices. The Sardar Market near the clock tower is a lively place to wander and photograph, and it is good for spices, textiles and sweets. Furniture can be shipped, but get quotes and check the wood and finish first.
Udaipur has a gentler pace. Look for miniature paintings in the Mewar tradition, pichhwai-style cloth paintings, silver jewellery, puppets and marble-inlay pieces. The lanes around the Lake Pichola area and the City Palace have many small shops and studios. Some painters work at their stalls, so you can ask how long a piece takes and what pigments were used.
Jaisalmer is the place for mirror-work embroidery, patchwork bedspreads and wall hangings, camel-leather items and silver jewellery. Many pieces are made by village women's groups, so shops that name their craft cooperatives are worth a look.
Pushkar, near Ajmer, has a small bazaar around the lake, with silver, beads, hippie-style clothes and leather. It is an easy-going place for souvenirs.
How prices work
For most crafts, a range of prices exists for the same item, depending on materials, handwork and the shop's location.
- Cheap: Lac bangles, small block-printed scarves, bandhani dupattas, spices and mojari.
- Mid-range: Bedcovers, quality hand-painted pottery, leather bags, brassware and silver.
- Costly: Gemstones, hand-knotted rugs, antique-style furniture, large paintings and fine jewellery.
Bargaining and buying smart
Bargaining is normal in bazaars. Ask the price, stay friendly, counter at a lower figure and move up gradually. If the price does not feel right, thank them and walk away. Many shopkeepers will call you back.
A few habits will help:
- Browse first. Compare similar items in two or three shops before deciding.
- Check the work. For block prints, see if colours are even and the pattern is crisp, and look for natural dyes if that matters to you. For silver, ask about purity and look for a hallmark.
- Be careful with gemstones. Do not buy expensive stones on the advice of a driver or guide. Ask for a proper bill and certificate, and check the return policy.
- Avoid commission traps. Drivers and guides sometimes take visitors to shops that pay them commissions, which can raise prices. It is fine to say you want to browse the bazaar yourself.
- Ask about shipping. Larger items can be shipped, but confirm costs, insurance and timelines in writing.
- Carry small notes. UPI is accepted in many shops now, though smaller stalls often prefer cash.
What to check before you pack
Rules on exporting certain goods change, and this matters if you plan to carry things abroad. Items made from animal products, antiques and some plant materials can be restricted, so check the current rules before you buy. Within India, leather and brass pieces are generally fine to carry on trains and flights, but delicate pottery and paintings travel best wrapped in clothing in your suitcase.
When to go
The most comfortable months for walking around bazaars are roughly October to March. Summers are very hot, and midday shopping can be tiring, so many markets feel best in the late afternoon and evening. Festive seasons make markets lively, though crowds and prices both rise.
Planning your trip
If you are building a Rajasthan itinerary, our guide to Rajasthan in seven days shows how the cities connect, so you can see where each shopping stop fits.
Our Rajasthan trips, group tours and custom trips can give you time in the bazaars alongside the forts and palaces.
Written by the Indian Rounds Team. Travel rules, prices and conditions change, so please check current details with the official source or ask us before you book.
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