Rajasthan Crafts & Arts Shopping

Crafts and Arts of Rajasthan

The skilled craftsmanship of the people is due to their Rajput legacy. The Rajput rulers were lovers of art and craft who encouraged their craftsmen to produce the finest wood and marble carvings, pots and paintings. Creativity comes naturally to the people and they make it a point to splash their walls with decorations including their animals right from elephants to the smallest donkeys.

Jewellery: The people of Rajasthan are fond of jewellery. Each area has their own unique style but the commonality is that they are worn heavily by women and men alike. Women wear simple crafted ones while the men wear chockers and earrings. The traditional designs are rakhri, tirnaniyan, bala, bajuband, gajra, gokhru, jod, etc. Emerald, diamond, pearls, garnet, agate are used widely. Jaipur is world famous export centre for precious and semi-precious gem stones.

Ivory: Jaipur is famous for its carved ivory and Jodhpur for its ivory bangles. Most Rajasthani women wear ivory bangles which are considered auspicious. The main ivory carving centres are found at Udaipur, Bharatpur and Jaipur. Ivory is used to make items of great beauty and sometimes small paintings are done on it.

Lac and Glass: Lac and glass are used to make bangles. They are bright in colour and sometime inlaid with glass.

Sandalwood and Wood: Carvings are done on wood and sandalwood which have become quite popular within the country.

Stone: Rajasthan is well-known for stone carvings that are seen in most cities. The carvings are mostly based on religious themes. Dholpur and Barmer are famous for the exquisite carvings in forts while Jaipur is famous for its white marble statues of deities.

Pottery: Each region of Rajasthan have their own distinctive style of pottery. Jaipur is famous for its blue glazed pottery, Molela near Udaipur is famous for its clay images of deities, Alwar for thin light potteries and Bikaner for painted ones. Terracotta pottery is also quite popular.

Leather ware: One of the most popular leather items produced in Rajasthan is the jootis. These jootis have become quite common in the whole country. The best quality and designs are produced in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Along with these embroidered footwear, saddles, bags and pouches are their other speciality.

The best places for shopping these items are:
Bapu and Nehru Bazaar in Jaipur for textiles, embroidered jooties, fabrics and leather goods; Tripolia Bazaar for furniture, hand-block prints, embroidered fabrics, mirror work and carpet. Lined shops near Amar Sagar Gate in Jaisalmer for Rajasthani handicrafts emporium, wooden ornaments; Hathipol in City Palace at Udaipur for Rajasthani jootis, saris, wooden and camel souvenirs; Patwon ki Haveli for silver jewelleries, rugs, leather items, hand woven blankets. Kapra Bazaar and National Handlooms in Jodhpur for saris, block printed textiles, Rajasthani mojaris and jootis.
Jewellery | Leatherware | Paintings | Puppets | Metal Craft | Stone Craft