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Shopping in Khajuraho

Khajuraho is a stunning city nestled in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Its claim to fame is the beautiful temples carved in stone and one of the examples of the splendid architectural and engineering prowess in ancient India. The breathtaking sculptures, which adorn the temple walls have stoked popular opinion and remained veiled in conjecture for time immemorial. The sexually explicit sculptures have fueled the interest amongst the foreign tourists who visit this city to try and understand the magnificence and splendor of these temples. The city has made its place on the UNESCO world heritage site list making it a must see destination in India. The city has seen tourist inflow increase manifold in the last decade putting the local tourism industry in high gear. Apart from the tourism industry, other ancillary services like the hospitality industry have also got an impetus. But what has really seen a huge growth is its impact on the local traders and craftsmen.

 Things to Buy in Khajuraho

Things to Buy in Khajuraho

Any visit to a popular destination in India is incomplete without indulging in shopping. Khajuraho offers a plethora of options to indulge in ranging from affordable knick-knacks to high end and expensive artwork. The bazaars are rich and colorful and keep abreast of the latest trends in fashion and art and hence one can see contemporary collections on display keeping in line with the trends. It is best to bargain hard to arrive at a good deal and everyone here loves a good bargain.

Silver and Brassware Goods

Silver and brass artifacts are one of the most popular picks in Khajuraho. Most of the artifacts are replicas of the temples and the sculptures making them interesting gift options and hence popular among the tourists. The brass sculptures are inlaid with beautiful Jali- work and show impeccable craftsmanship of the local artisans. The artisans here are also known for hand carving and hand painting and hence brass articles are sometimes brought to Khajuraho for the excellent finishing touches of the local artisans here. These products make very good gifting options and are an exquisite reminder of the beautiful city.

Textile Items

The textile industry has gained some ground in the last decade owning to the increasing demand for local hand crafted products in the market. Ethnic handcrafted and hand embroidered textiles and saris are a popular pick in the local markets here. The artisans have lately taken to incorporating contemporary motifs and techniques and use of better fabrics providing quality products making them popular amongst the tourists. The local shops and emporiums stock these ethnic products and are a favorite among the local and foreign tourists. The tribals in this part of India also have their own ethnic techniques which transform into exquisite pieces which are popular around the globe. The tribal art has been resurrected in recent times and is helping them earn livelihood and avoid migration in search of work. Most of the textile and apparel products are available at throwaway prices and are a must buy when in Khajuraho.

Handicraft Items

For connoisseurs of art and ethnic artifacts, Khajuraho is a paradise. The local markets here offer various kinds of handicrafts like the metal wares, bamboo artifacts, Dhokra pieces of art and tribal articles. Dhokra metal craft uses the lost wax technique which has been used in India probably since the Indus Valley Civilisation. This unbroken continuity in tradition and the vitality of the art form makes it a coveted collectors item. It is also an environmental friendly art form since the local artisans use only scrap metal for their creations. Each piece of art is unique and no one creation is like any other making it an exclusive art form. Dhokra artifacts are very popular in the international markets for their primeval simplicity and folk motifs and also known for the impeccable craftsmanship. Ethnic and contemporary jewellery made from various products ranging from wood, metal, paper, bamboo etc is also popular here.

Major Shopping Destinations in Khajuraho

Gole Market

It is the largest and most important shopping destination in the city. It houses various shops selling textiles, ethnic apparel, brass and silver artifacts, sandstone miniature replicas etc. It has some of the best known names like Mrignayani which is a one stop destination for buying local handicrafts and other tribal produce. This market also caters to other requirements of travelers like electronic stores, medical stores, restaurants etc.

Markets in Khajuraho

There are numerous hotels which line this locality and most of the hotels have in-house boutiques which sell some exquisite stuff but at premium prices. The best way to shop at these markets is to bargain hard especially during the peak season when demand for most of the products goes up.

Rajnagar Shopping Area

Rajinagar is located about 5km away from the center of the city and is a popular destination for purchasing brass and silver artifacts. There is also a weekly bazaar on Tuesdays that is very popular. Exquisitely carved sculptures in brass and silver can be sourced from this market. They use traditional techniques and these products make very good gifting options.

Shilpgram

Shilpgram is a government run body which is focused on encouraging the folk art and culture. It acts as bridge between the dying local art forms and the younger generation, giving them a platform to showcase their products and talents. Shilpgram has an art gallery which has some of the best curated artifacts in the city. Ranging from handmade paintings, terracotta products, stone carvings, sandstone sculptures, handmade textiles, hand embroidered apparel etc, the products available are vast and showcase immense talent. It is a one stop destination for buying quality products directly from the artisans.

Travelling in Khajuraho

Shilpgram also hosts a series of workshops and other cultural activities which help one understand the local culture. The workshops on folk painting styles, embroidery, carving etc are very popular among the foreign tourists who get a taste of the real cultural background of the city. Apart from this, the western complex of temples has numerous hawkers and traders selling replicas and miniatures of the temples. They are found at a short distance out of the temple complex and can be interesting curios to buy.


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