Beyond the royal palaces, imposing forts and delectable cuisine, the city of Jaipur is the ultimate shopper’s paradise. Tradition and heritage live on through a dazzling array of age-old arts and crafts in the capital city of Rajasthan. Quaint bazaars (markets) in the Old Walled City are a visual delight with endless shops tempting visitors with handicrafts and items of home decor. Fill your bags with these colourful souvenirs, which carry an unmistakable local stamp. Hoarding is inevitable when it comes to Jaipur shopping !

1. Block-printed textiles

Jaipur is famed for its ancient block-printed textile art, which uses wooden blocks and organic dyes. Piles of white, breathable cotton, block printed with eye-pleasing patterns and traditional motifs lie stacked in every shop. From fabric to readymade garments and light quilts to home linen, the variety is mind-boggling. You may even be tempted to tour one of the main hubs of block printing, Sanganer, where the Chippa community has dozens of textile dyeing and printing workshops.

2. Jewellery

With centuries of regal history behind it, Jaipur is considered to be the gemstone capital of the world. Credit goes to Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who introduced the gem industry in the city three centuries ago with a handful of artisans. Look out for Thewa (enamelling of gold on the glass), Meenakari (enamelled lacquer in red, blue and green), and Kundan (encrusting of semi-opaque crystal on gold) in old jewellery shops of the Walled City or a luxury boutique in Jaipur. Precious or semi-precious, there’s something for every budget.

3. Puppets

Puppetry is a traditional expression of Rajasthan folk culture, practised by rural communities, originally belonging to the Marwar region. Kathputliwalas (puppeteers) use wooden dummy dolls dressed up in vibrant attire and vivid facial expressions, attached to strings for easy movement on a miniature stage during shows. It is common to see puppets displayed as decor in Rajasthani homes. Find one from any famous Jaipur market and brighten up a dull corner of your house!

4. Blue pottery

The blue dye that gives Jaipur blue pottery its distinctive colour has Persian origins. Prepared with glazing and low-fire, this art-form is unique in that it doesn’t use clay. Finished products come in attractive floral, geometric, animal, bird and deity designs. Decorative tiles, pots, hooks, vases, crockery, soap dishes, pen stands, trays, lamps, mugs…there’s no dearth of things to buy in Jaipur.

5. Miniature paintings

Flamboyance meets history in Rajasthan’s miniature paintings crafted on cotton, silk, and ivory. Art lovers will be spoilt for choice seeing the variety of themes like folk-lore, mythology and religion. Fine and intricate details of the miniature paintings reveal insights into the lifestyle of the Desert Capital, making them unique narratives in their own right. Take one home to adorn a wall of your home, for a touch of class that never fades with time.

6. Ghewar

The undisputed king of sweets in Jaipur, Ghewar is especially associated with Rajasthani festivals like Teej, but can be found on shelves of sweetshops all year long. Made of refined flour and clarified butter, it is shaped like a cake, has a honeycomb pattern and is delicate in taste. The sweet version has a short shelf life of 3-7 days, while the unsweetened can be stored for up to a month.

Take a shopping tour in the Old Walled City or attend a textile block printing workshop in Sanganer to appreciate the arts and crafts heritage of Jaipur City.

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