Introduction

For over 200 years, the bazaars in the old city of Jaipur have enticed shoppers with glittering jewels, colorful textiles, handmade brass utensils, crafted leather shoes, puppets, and many other novelties. The wide albeit crowded streets are lined with glittering showrooms and hole-in-the-wall bargain shops. The many wares spilling on to the streets and young shop assistants callings out, the bazaars of Jaipur are an exciting adventure. Even the weary shopper will be surprised with the bargains available and may be prompted to loosen the purse strings on a jewel-encrusted trinket.

While touring the markets, you will be prompted to raise your hat to the city planners of Jaipur. In almost all bazaars, the roads are wide, lined with shops on either side, and all such roads lead to one main street. These shops are mostly painted terracotta pink, thus the name - Pink City..

As per Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II’s plan for the city, Jaipur was divided into nine sections; seven of these sections were for the general public and were designated for each of the main castes to dwell practic their skills or art forms. The artisans had their shops around the two main city blocks – Chotti Chaupar and Badi Chaupar and each block was dedicated to one form of craft. This segregation of craft continues to-date. Within Jaipur’s walled old-city, the bazaars come alive with the jostling crowds of shoppers and the sing-song voices of the colorfully dressed shop-keepers selling their wares.

Start your shopping tour from Hawa Mahal. On its either side are shops selling beautiful ghaghras (the traditional Rajasthani skirt) and beautiful hand-embroidered handbags. Right opposite the Hawa Mahal is the Sireh Deori Bazaar, where you can easily get swayed buying flowing textiles in vivid colors and beautiful designs, vibrantly dressed puppets, leather jootis, jewelry and just about all types of crafts.

Go further on to Badi Chaupar, whose by-lanes house innumerable shops with a mind-boggling array of products. There is the Ramganj Bazaar on the eastern side, where you can watch the shoe-makers skillfully creating beautifully cut jootis. To the south of Badi Chaupar is the Johari Bazaar, with its shops and stalls vibrantly decked up with bandhini or tie-and-die textiles as well as block-printed textiles.

Further ahead from Johari Bazaar are Gopalji ka Raasta and Haldiyon ka Raasta. These two smaller streets are linked with jewelers. Walk in to any of the shops to pick a rare trinket or just stop to watch the skilled craftsmen at work.

The by lanes surrounding Chotti Chaupar include the Maniharon ka Raasta, which is known for its bangle-makers and Kishanpol Bazaar, where wooden artifacts, jute strings and silver objects can be bought.

Special Attributes

Crafts and textiles of Jaipur's local artisans

Nuisance

Beggars and touts

Dressing restrictions

While shopping, you will probably be visiting shops in the more conservative areas of the city. Thus, it would be best to wear clothes that keep your arms and legs covered.

Connectivity

Taxis, Cycle Rickshaws, Auto Rickshaws

Enjoyed by

All

Exposure

The shopping tour will involve some exposure to the sun, especially while walking from one part of the bazaars to the other. Again, keep your head covered and sunscreen on.

Avoidable Season

April, May, June

Facilities

You will be in and out of shops. Most big stores will offer all basic facilities.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

The semi-precious stone work at Jaipur is renowned the world over. Do look for some good pieces.

Type of site

Shopping