Shopping
You have no other option but to give in
At a time, when anyone who goes out of normal league is considered to have a disorder, you'd be happy to know that only when a desire is suppressed does it become a compulsion. You just can't suppress your queenly and king like whims and fancies in the corridors of shopping intoxia.
Johri Bazar | Famous, crowded and confusing; brave the shoppers to look for colourful lehengas, and saris in bhandej and bandhini. For saris try Rooplaxmi, Rana Sari Emporium and Jaipur Sari Kendra. The smaller lanes in Johri Bazaar house the original jeweller workstations or gaddis, and have a lot of outlets for gold, silver and studded jewellery. Also at Johri Bazaar – Jaipuri quilts {rajais} which, it is safe to say, we all own one of.
Bapu Bazar | A tourist hotspot, it's a treasure trove of typical Jaipuri associations – juttis, Jaipuri bed sheets, soft furnishings and readymade suits. Perfect to buy gifts and souvenirs, since it's reasonably priced and representative of Jaipur.
Tripolia Bazar and Chaura Rasta | For utensils, textile, ironware and trinkets. Step into the side lanes to be able to catch a glimpse of local artisans at work.
Miss India | Cutlery, show pieces, large matkas, figurines, glasses, furniture, antiques, and a massive range of jewellery – the store is perfect if you're in the market for pure silver.
Soma is another well-known store that stocks apparel and furnishings.This is a large two storied building on the main road.Soma has outlets in many other cities as well.
Cottons As the name suggests, this shop is for the cotton aficionado. Ethnic cotton Indian wear from Jaipur in Rajasthan to keep you cool throughout the year. You can choose from a variety of salwars, tunics, kurtis, skirts, chudidars,...
Suvasa is a spacious shop, spread over three large rooms in the first floor of a quiet neighborhood of Jaipur. They offer a range of apparel and furnishings in cotton and silk with Rajasthani block prints.
Other authentic shoping places of Jaipur are
Tokree | A store of carefully curated Indian handicrafts; you can expect clothing and accessories for women and children, multipurpose antique boxes, rustic table fans, vintage Indian perfume bottles, tribal inspired art, amongst a range of period pieces. Special mention to the Ikat collection of open sandals.
Dhora | Since we frequently use their delivery services, we forget they're Jaipur based. Dhora retails a mix of artisan-made and leather goods, including bags, hip flasks, costume jewellery, accessories and cotton and linen clothes. As part of their brand, Teatro Dhora is their very own concept store.
Jewelry by Astha Jagwani | A genius with her accessories, Astha Jagwani creates European silhouettes with Indian techniques, and vice versa. Expect some stunning costume body jewelry, including haath phools, head pieces andjhumkis.
Woven Tree | Ladies with a sari obsession, it's stores like Woven Tree that gives Jaipur a good reputation. Woven Tree retails hand woven sarees, salwar kameez and dupattas in pure fabrics from states around India.
Gem Palace | Brides and all her sisters, friends, cousins and relatives, Gem Palace is one of the most popular places to shop at in Jaipur. Operational for over 8 generations, you'll find any and every gem you need, from vintage pieces and traditional designs, to more contemporary pieces.
Kirpal Kumbh | If you're a fan of blue pottery, you're looking at the most authentic store in Jaipur. Sri Kirpal Singh Shekhawat started Kirpal Kumbh, which remains the only manufacturer and exporter of authentic blue pottery. As for what's available, choose between classical pottery designs, along side new designs and shapes.
Hot Pink | Rajasthan's first concept store, Hot Pink is a multi-designer store, offering exclusively Indian manufactured accessories, ready to wear and home ware. Think kitsch home interiors, linen clothing, and more contemporary pieces.
Taruveda | An extension of the Taruveda Café, Taruveda's a lifestyle store housing Balinese furniture, art and curios. They also have an in-house wellness brand 'Omved,' and clothes by some select designers.
Pratap Sons | Jaipur's Ushnak Mal equivalent, Pratap Sons must feature on every Jaipur shopping guide. They house wedding wardrobe essentials – lehengas, saris, suit pieces, silks and indo-western wear – and judging from the rate at which weddings appear on our social calendars, Pratap Sons may jump to the top of your list.
Swati Ubroi | A gota patti specialist, Swati's intricate and neat work is unparalleled. She uses a lot of gota applique work, tara kaam and chord work, set on gorgeous pastel shades and standout pop colours. A word of caution: set timelines can be a bit of an issue, so we suggest advance orders and a lot of following up.
Amrapali | Indulge in the cult that is Amrapali when in their hometown! Much larger, and better decorated and stocked than its counterparts in other cities, the original Amrapali store is a must-visit for beautiful jewellery made with precious and semi-precious stones, even if you aren't looking to buy anything.
Anokhi | Anokhi's products – clothing, home décor, tableware, stationery, jewellery – attract people from all over the world. Their vibrant range has beautiful cuts, and they've also introduced kids wear. Another must-visit – the café, for after you're done shopping.