In the Pink City, lost in bazaars

Jaipur is every shopaholic's paradise

In the Pink City of Jaipur, temptation waits at every bend. In the narrow, crowded lanes of the old city and mahogany shelves of swanky malls. As if the entire city was created for shoppers’ delight.

Here’s where to shop what in Jaipur:

Bazaars in Old City: The Old City is always the first stop. Wearing the city’s signature pink, the bazaars are arranged meticulously according to the wares — traditional tie/dye fabric, gota saris in Johari Bazaar; camel skin jutis, trinkets, attar and churan in Bapu Bazaar; colourful lacquer bangles, metalcraft and vintage finds in Tripolia Bazaar; decorative items made of wood in Kishanpole Bazaar; all things marble in Chandpole Bazaar; precious gems in Gopalji Ka Rasta; and silver in Chameliwala Bazaar.

Jewellery: For centuries, Jaipur has been known for its jewellery and the Old City alone houses nearly 700 jewellery shops. Known for its kundan jewellery, the city melds the ancient with the contemporary with intricate ease. Amrapali is a hot favourite with many Hollywood and Bollywood stars; Gem Palace is almost a legend; Tholia Kuber is a renowned family of jewellers; Sunita Shekhawat does intricate jadau jewellery; and, of course, there’s the famous Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jewellers. Running since 1880, PM Allah Buksh & Sons is a vintage store offering an exquisite variety of hand-engraved enamelware and brassware.

Clothing: Synonymous with Jaipur-style hand-printed outfits, Anokhi is known for its role in the conservation and revival of traditional textile crafts. In Behroze Singh’s Cottons, everything traditional has been redefined tastefully and comes with a surprisingly affordable tag. Designer Nidhi Tholia’s Saffron and Swati Ubroi’s boutique are must-visit for trousseau hunters; RASA uses graphic and ombré designs on crêpe and silk; vintage tribal clothing and tapestries, bedspreads created out of a collage of antique fabrics in Saurashtra Impex; Brigitte Singh produces women’s apparel and nightwear based on sustainable practices; Tokree is Sanyukta Singh’s apparel and accessory store at Alsisar Haveli. Rajasthan Fabrics & Arts is, by far, the most exquisite shop for vintage and antique textile. Pick bedcovers and salwar-suit materials in sanganeri prints, bagru prints and batik prints from Link Road.

Home stores: If clothes and beads are not on your priority list and you are in Jaipur to give your house a touch of the ancient, there’s Champa known for its antiques. Hot Pink is one of the first concept stores in Jaipur; founded by Israeli designer Alon Molay, Ninety One Degree is a haven of modern home furnishings and accents; Anantaya has luxury home products; IDLI by French designer Thierry Journo has quirky home accessories.

Blue pottery: The best place is Jaipur Blue Pottery Art Centre where one can find Jaipur’s famous blue ceramic artefacts, including plates, jars, vases, mugs, tiles and coasters. The other option is Neerja Pottery run by National Award-winner Leela Bordia.

Others: Trunks Company Jaipur uses local artisans to create bespoke pieces that can be used as suitcases, portable bars, among other things. Pick sanjhi (the art of hand-cutting intricate designs on paper) from Sanjhi Paper Art; coffee-table books on Rajasthani architecture and royal jewels at Photo Service.