Shopping in the Markets of Jaipur


Vibrant with activity, shopping in the colorful Bazaars of Jaipur is a must and feature as one of the ‘To Do Things in Jaipur’ in the itinerary of a tourist. And, in the evening I did just that.

As I started walking past shops in Bapu Bazaar, one of the prominent markets of Jaipur, the shopkeepers persuasively called out, “Come inside Madam, have a look, what do you want?” And to lure you in, they spill enough of their stuff out into the narrow lanes…

Colorful Jaipur markets, Bapu Bazaar

There are narrow lanes dotted with tiny shops each showcasing a dazzling range of exquisite Rajasthani items catering to every pocket and taste. But Bargain is a must-have while shopping in Jaipur as the prices come down by even 75% in some cases!!

Fancy footwear known as mochris or jootis in Jaipur shops
Footwear known as mochris or jootis is one of the hottest selling items here. Handcrafted in exclusive designs and available both plain and embroidered they are surely a big hit among shoppers as they go with both traditional Indian wear and also with jeans and skirts.

Colorful glass bangles in Bapu Bazaar, Jaipur
Colorful glass bangles in Bapu Bazaar, Jaipur
The lac and glass bangles… traditional, trendy, shimmering in bright colors… I have plenty of these!

Lovely Quilts or Rajais in Jaipur markets
These light-weight Jaipuri quilts (Rajais) are striking indeed but not required in Mumbai much!!

Cloth bags or jholas of Jaipur
Cloth bags or jholas of Jaipur
Artistic cloth bags known as jholas… mirrored work, threadwork and added embellishments…

Colorful seats known as moodas - Shopping in Jaipur
These moodas or chairs are more fancy versions of the normal ones which I had purchased during one of my trips here and are now sitting comfortably in my living room.
Cane sticks tied up with colored strings for seating, known as moodas

Me, not being too bargain friendly, I left all these vendors disappointed and entered M. K. International, a fixed price shop as I was sure I won’t be cheated here.

Jaipuri Bedsheets at MK shop in Bapu Bazaar
Jaipuri Bedsheets at MK shop in Bapu Bazaar

Fabulous fabrics, available in various eye catching prints and designs, the traditional bandhni, batik and bandhej prints for salwar suits and block and sanganeri prints for bed sheets are very beautiful indeed. I picked up a couple of Jaipuri bedsheets and Salwar suits for me and my relatives back home.

Bandhini Chunris in Jaipur
Bandhini Chunris in Jaipur
Eye catching Jaipuri Salwar suits
Colorful Salwar Suits

Besides these, exquisite Rajasthani handicrafts, colorful pots, jewelry, antiques; an array of brass, ivory, wood and stone carvings, paintings and statues are some of the other things that one can look out for in various other markets like Nehru Bazaar, Indira Bazaar, Johri Bazaar and Badi Chaupar near Hawa Mahal.

As the sun sank down and the afternoon glow turned to somber dusk, I never realized how an entire day had flown by…

Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, City Palace, and so much more… there were so many places to see in Jaipur but sadly was bound by time constraints. For now though, as my train whistled away, there was only one place I could go – HOME!!

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28 Comments

  1. Brilliant colors. Loved it especially the bangles and the embellished cloth bags.

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  2. hi arti,
    today u touched the pulse of my life .. shopping !! and rajasthani bangles and dresses are always on my list...whenever i come across a rajasthani shop in chennai i make it a point to atleast take a walk...and see if i can pick anything... now i am dying to visit jaipur...thanks for all the tips

    Satya
    http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

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  3. I am a SHOPPER, so you have no idea how enjoyable this post is! Oh my, the wonderful colorful bangles, bags, quilts, love the chairs, just everything!! And your pictures are so good, I feel like I have been shopping there myself! I wouls have had to buy at least some bangles and a bag!

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  4. i think i went here but was too scared to take a pic... argh... looking at your photos make me feel i should have just do it ie taking all the pics.

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  5. Hello Arti. Thank you for visiting my blog today. Mother Teresa was and is a true treasure for all the world.

    Shopping in Jaipar must be a dream. And the food possibilities are awesome. What a time I would have there.

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  6. bangles and bags - two of my favourite things. How I'd love to go shopping here, all those wonderful colours, so vibrant.

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  7. Aw, how i love bazaars like this! My favorites here ar those moodas - so pretty! You need a friendly elephant to carry all your treasures home!

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  8. Fascinating post. Thanks for this.

    All the best, Boonie

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  9. beautiful and very good stuffs there...wish i could shop there too...

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  10. Once a year there used to be a 'mela' in my hometown where folks from all over the country used to bring all kinds of such traditional beauties... I used to wait all year for it. You are basically mean to publish these pictures especially for us folks in the US where we can only dream about these... lol... just kidding... thanks for sharing!

    US Masala

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  11. I loved the color in all of your photographs! The markets of Jaipur remind me of the markets at Nassau in the Bahamas. My husband and I visited Nassau in the Spring of 1999. The vendors called to us, sometimes even grabbing hold of our arms, to pull us into their shops.

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  12. Dear Arti
    I am so delighted to know that you are going to Himalayas. I am sure you know that temples will close on Diwali. I wish I could go,
    I am in saudi Arabia for 2-3 days and hope to get back tomorrow morning.
    I shall read this posting peacefully after reaching Delhi.
    Have a nice and safe journey

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  13. Thanks for the visit, lovely to see your world full of colour. Best wishes from France

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  14. The colours are stunning and the crafts so varied. I don't think I'd escape without buying samples of everything you've shown in your lovely photographs.
    My middle daughter is going to Rajasthan later this month so I've sent her the link to your blog so that she can look at it. She's been to India many times and loves the people.

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  15. What wonderfully colourful stands!

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  16. Wow - look at all those beautifully coloured things!

    Thankyou for the sweet comment on my blog :-)

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  17. When I visited Jaipur last year, I just went crazy seeing the beautiful jootis and landed up buying 3 pairs for myself and one for my sis, and one for my friend.... and, yes, bargaining is a must :-)

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  18. Dearest Arti, thank you for coming to grace my comments page. Your blog is so happy and rejoices in the wonders of your culture; that FABRIC IS SO BEAUTIFUL! I could see that used as a wonderful wall treatment over a bed or in a sun room!!!

    ENJOY YOUR DAY, Anita

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  19. those fabrics, that red bag, those chairs, the glass bangles - all so beautiful. an unrepentant tourist, i'd probably spend a fortune shopping in the bazaars of jaipur. :)

    great post, arti. it shows your love for jaipur.

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  20. hello from canada and thx for your visit. i love the content of your blog. all of these things appeal to me... colour, food, shopping and india.
    have a great day
    ~laura

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  21. What a "wonder filled" shopping trip! How FUN!
    Thank you for the thoughtful comments you left on my site...smile on Rosie

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  22. the colors in all your lovely pictures are so cheery and vibrant, I love it!
    Have a happy day. xxx

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  23. Nice places to shop at affordable price .

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  24. lovely colorful place and I wish to go there and shop these stuffs.simply loved it.

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  25. Hey what a lovely post..thoroughly enjoyed it.

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  26. Wonderful post! Why dont you share the link with many other travelers on TA and Virtual Tourist.

    Thanks
    http://thejaipurguide.blogspot.in/

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  27. very nice pictures,hope to visit there one day.

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