India Shopping Tips by Maline

Bangles!

Not a thing to list under jewellry, perhaps. Because the bangles are usually made of plastic.

Anyway, especially in the shopping district near the Vishvanathi area in Varanasi, the bangle shops were abundant.

Bangles cost perhaps 1-2 euros for ten pieces and the come in EVERY look. Pastel, bright, golden, silvery, adorned, simple, metal, plastic even glass ones (ooops there is something not to pack in a rucksack you are using for train pillow!!), every taste has a bangle, provided you like bangles in the first place of course.
I say I got about 40 pcs to bring home, the bright turquiose ones look great with a tan, but they make an annoying rattle when you move.

Try them on first, many are very small in size. If you want to bring something home for children, this may be a cute not too expensive gift for little princesses.

What to buy: Bangles, bangles, bangles

What to pay: 1-3 euros per ten pcs, unless you go for real exclusive ones.

Directions: In Varanasi, the area around Vishvanath! other cities, I am not sure!

Theme: Jewelry

Sandals

What to buy: Get a pair of leather sandals. I did, and they were so comfortable. I got them in a real shoe store though, and not in a tourist store, possibly the touristic sandals were less comfy, but I might be wrong. They looked cooler though.

Anyway, with all the foot jewelry for sale, and if you get a mendhi or something, sandals are great for showing off your feet!

What to pay: From 2$US and up...

Theme: Shoes

Jewelry

What to buy: One thing to really go for in India is jewelry. Especially foot jewelry! Beautiful toe rings or anklets are for sale everywhere, also headlocks can be fun (the little adornment on your forehead, just belov the hair line), and don't forget the bindis ("stickers" for your forehead, the most common in red felt).

You can also get nice bindis for your belly button. These things are not expensive, easy to pack and make exotic gifts for friends at home!

What to pay: Look around a bit. The prizes vary considerably. Get your items in specialized stores rather than stores aimed at tourists. Bindis can be found in perfumeries for example.

Theme: Jewelry

Silk in Varanasi

What to buy: In Varanasi, go for silk if you want something to bring home to friends and family. I can't say that it is cheaper or better here than in the rest of India, cause we didnt compare, all I know is that the price and the quality was really good compared to Swedish standards. Among other things I got a beautiful bedspread for about 70US dollars. In Sweden a similar item would be at least 300 US dollars.

Theme: Local Craft