Shopping in Varanasi

Shopping in Varanasi

Shopping in Varanasi

Varanasi has a rich tradition of handicrafts, which makes for a wonderful shopping here. A visit to the colorful local bazaars and shopping centres is always a unique experience.Varanasi has earned global acclaim for exquisite silk saris with intricate floral patterns and elaborate zari (golden thread) works. These are hugely adored by the Indian women of all corners and are considered precious possessions through out their lives. Do not forget to pick up one or two 'Banarasi' saris while shopping in Varanasi. However, please be on watch while buying silk saris and beware of the imitations that are much cheaper than the real silk ones but are not so easy to distinguish.

Stone carved items of Varanasi are also quite famous. The skilled craftsmen of the city chisel out beautiful utility items and objects d'art from stone. Candle stands, ashtrays, jewelry boxes not to mention replicas of Taj Mahal serve as fantastic souvenirs of a Varanasi tour. Other shopping attractions of Varanasi include the hand-knotted carpets of Mirzapur, musical instruments, the 'Langda Aam', a popular variety of mangoes available during summer season and the famous betel leaf that is considered a specialty of the place. Besides the illustrious and fine silks and brocaded fabrics, one can also buy shawls, wall hangings, Zari work; glass beads and bangles, masks of Hindu and Buddhist deities and lampshades. People buy bottled 'Ganga jal' or jerrycans from the riverbank too for religious purposes or to be used as Holy Water in various rituals. Besides, people can also take water of Ganges themselves from the river. You can also buy 'kamandalam' or brass water pot from VaranasiApart from the above, you can also find usual assortment of specialty crafts other from other parts of the state, like: Zardozi from Agra, embroidered fabric from Lucknow, leather works of Kanpur which are also popular items for shopping in Varanasi. There are quite a few shopping joints in Varanasi. For buying fabrics, the Government-run-shops of Uttar Pradesh Handloom are best bet. Most of the hotels have shopping arcades or showrooms within the complex. Although the prices are generally forbidding, you may give them a shot. The shopping hotspots in Varanasi are Chowk, Gyan Vapi, Vishwanath Gali, Thatheri Bazar, Lahurabir, Godoulia or Dashswamedh Gali and Golghar. You should be ready for some bargaining if you are buying stuffs from the local vendors.

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