Varanasi is a city where every street has something interesting to tell you. Apart from temples, ghats, and spiritual values, the city is also known for its traditional markets and experienced artisans. Shopping in Varanasi is not only about purchasing some products but also discovering local culture and traditions. The old streets of Banaras are full of various shops offering beautiful textiles, crafts, jewellery, and products. Every market has its speciality, so you can discover different things in Varanasi. The first thing people think about when mentioning shopping in Varanasi is sarees. Although the Banarasi sarees are the most famous and valuable things created in Varanasi, the city offers a lot of other unique products. Knowing what every market in Varanasi is famous for can help you enjoy your shopping trip to the fullest.
What Is Famous in Varanasi for Shopping?
For centuries, Varanasi has been known as the centre of traditional textiles and crafts. The city is famous for its weaving traditions with Banarasi silk sarees and brocades being the most valuable products. But shopping in Varanasi is not always about silk.
There are different markets offering products of different kinds. Some of the most popular things to buy in Varanasi are as follows:
- Products made of Banarasi silk and brocade
- Embroidery and zari products
- Brass and copper products
- Wooden toys and crafts
- Jewellery and bangles
- Religious and decorative items
- Local sweets and food products
- Traditional souvenirs and handicrafts
The product you are going to buy determines the market you should visit. Textile lovers explore saree markets and lovers of metal crafts go to markets famous for brass and copper products.
A Banarasi saree is one of the most popular products bought in Varanasi. It is well-known for its wonderful embroidery and zari work, but buying a Banarasi saree requires attention because the quality and price depend on many factors.
What to Check Before Buying a Banarasi Saree
Buying a Banarasi saree is always an exciting experience because it reflects the efforts and skills of its maker. As there are different qualities of sarees and different prices, you should pay attention to some basic facts before you decide which one you want to buy.
The price of a Banarasi saree depends on the fabric, the weave of the fabric, the design, the zari work, and the time spent on creating it.
Fabrics: Fabric is the first thing to pay attention to when buying a Banarasi saree. You need to feel its texture, softness, and density.
The saree should fit your needs. For example, the heavy saree is perfect for weddings and other special occasions, while the light saree is more comfortable to use.
Weave and design: One of the main features of Banarasi sarees is their weave and design. You need to pay close attention to these things.
There are simple sarees and there are complex ones requiring additional time and skills from the weaver.
Zari: The zari work makes Banarasi sarees beautiful and expensive. You need to pay attention to the quality of the zari work.
The good zari work is always neat, harmonious, and well-finished.
Reverse side: The reverse side can give a lot of information about the quality of the Banarasi saree. You can understand a lot about the weave and the finishing of the saree by observing it.
Purpose: Before you choose a Banarasi saree, you should think about the occasions you are going to wear it. The heavy saree with complicated designs will suit you at weddings and other festivals, while the light one will be perfect for ordinary days. As there are countless designs in Varanasi markets, comparing them will help you choose the perfect one.
Where to Go for Banaras Shopping
There are many famous markets in Varanasi and each of them has something special. There are markets focusing on textiles, jewellery, crafts, metal products, and local products.
Exploring these markets is your chance to see the traditional side of Banaras. Instead of searching randomly, it is better to go to the market depending on what you want to buy.
Godowlia Market
Godowlia Market is one of the most crowded markets in Varanasi and it is one of the favorite places of both locals and tourists. You can find there shops selling textiles, handicrafts, jewellery, spices, sweets, and souvenirs. The active atmosphere of Godowlia Market allows you to explore different products and experience the energy of Varanasi.
Vishwanath Gali
Situated near the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vishwanath Gali is one of the most visited shopping areas in Varanasi. Narrow streets of Vishwanath Gali are filled with shops selling religious items, traditional products, paintings, wooden handicrafts, and souvenirs. Thanks to its location, many visitors combine their visiting of the temple and shopping there. It is your chance to see the traditional side of Varanasi.
Thatheri Bazaar
Thatheri Bazaar is famous for its brass and copper craftsmanship. The market shows the skills of local artisans making different metal products.You can find their lamps, bowls, plates, statues, and decorative items of different designs and sizes. They are popular among tourists because they reflect traditional Indian craftsmanship and are great souvenirs.
Chowk
Chowk is one of the markets in Varanasi that provides visitors with a chance to experience the historic charm of the city. In the market, one can find traditional clothes, handicrafts, jewelries, and many more local products. Unlike other markets, which specialize in one category of products, the market at Chowk provides varied shopping opportunities. If you wish to experience the local environment while shopping, Chowk can be an option for you.
Dal Mandi
Dal Mandi is one of the most active markets of Varanasi with a lot of products like textiles, clothing, jewelries, handicrafts, spices, and food items. This market can provide travelers a convenient option to buy local products for gifts and souvenirs. The market has products from many product categories, and therefore can be a convenient destination for visitors of Varanasi.
Lahurabir
Lahurabir specializes in the sale of traditional products, jewelries, cosmetics, and perfumes. The market also has many silk items, sarees, and souvenirs. It is a convenient market for tourists who wish to get traditional and lifestyle products at the same time. Variety of Lahurabir makes it distinct from other markets which provide only textiles or handicrafts.
Rajan Silk Market
Located near Godowlia Crossing, Rajan Silk Market is the most favorite market of people who prefer to buy silk and brocade fabrics. The market has many varieties of traditional textiles and appeals to the shoppers who prefer high quality fabrics. This market is quite useful for visitors of Varanasi who wish to explore the textiles of the city beyond the conventional choices.
Brass and Copper Items
Other than textiles, traditional brass and copper items are also quite popular in Varanasi. These metal crafts have been traditionally produced in the city since a very long time. Artisans make items like decorations, lamps, bowls, idols, and household articles out of brass and copper. Tourists usually buy brass and copper items as souvenirs and home decor items reflecting the Indian craftsmanship. Thatheri Bazaar is one of the best markets for visiting such metal items. The market has products in various designs, sizes, and prices.
Wooden Toys and Crafts
Wooden toys and crafts are also one of the popular traditional product lines of Varanasi. Artisans of the city produce handmade wooden items with a lot of creativity and craftsmanship. These items are toys, decorative items, and small craft items that make perfect gifts. One advantage of wooden craft items is that they are light in weight and can be conveniently carried while traveling. They can be used as simple and meaningful souvenirs to reflect the traditional art of the region.
Banaras Zardozi
Zardozi is one of the traditional embroidery styles which have an elaborate and decorative appearance. This embroidery is used for decorating silk and cotton fabrics and gives the products a very artistic appearance. Embroidery of zardozi requires patience and skilled craftsmanship. This kind of work reflects the traditional skills of embroidery in Banaras and can be found in various textile products and souvenirs. Travelers interested in zardozi items can start their search at markets around Vishwanath Gali and other traditional markets.
Jewellery and Bangles
Varanasi is also well-known for a lot of varieties of traditional jewelries and bangles which attract not only the locals but also the tourists. Various markets of the city offer jewelries in various designs which include traditional jewelries for festivals, wedding, and other special occasions. Godowlia, Dal Mandi, and Rajan Silk Market are famous markets with a variety of jewelries. But buyers must inspect the quality, materials, and finishes of the products before buying. As quality of jewelries varies from shop to shop, comparison of options and understanding of product features is always useful.
Local Food Products
Visiting of Varanasi does not end with crafts and textiles only. Local food products of Varanasi also provide the travelers an opportunity to know about the culture of the city. Visitors can find various local sweets, spices, and regional dishes in various markets of the city. Godowlia Market is a famous market with local food items along with other shopping options. Taking local food products as souvenirs helps visitors to share a part of Varanasi experience with their family and friends.
How to Choose the Right Banarasi Saree
- Selection of a Banarasi saree requires a balance between design, comfort, quality, and purpose of the saree.
- Most of the buyers are initially attracted to the colors and patterns of saree. But the quality of fabric and weaving techniques are equally important. A saree must not only be beautiful but also comfortable for wearing.
- Before making a decision, you should keep in mind the occasion. A wedding saree has a heavy work and rich design, while a saree for daily use should be comfortable and easy to maintain.
- Texture and weight of fabric impact the comfort of wearing the saree and the number of wears.
- Patterns are important, but buyers should also consider the weaving quality and finishing of the saree. Details of motifs, stitches, and zari work will help to understand the craftsmanship of the saree.
- Though two sarees may look alike, the price may differ due to fabric quality and workmanship involved in manufacturing of the saree.
- For expensive purchases, it is always better to inquire about the material, weaving style, and maintenance of the product.
How to Shop in Varanasi Without Rushing
Shopping in Varanasi can be quite interesting, however, visiting too many places without having a plan might exhaust you. The city offers lots of markets, and each of them is specialized in various products, so it is important to know what exactly you are looking for. If you are mostly interested in a Banarasi saree or any other textile products, it is important to dedicate enough time to the textile marketplaces. Comparing the designs, materials, and prices is essential to make a proper choice. In case you are going to look for other products such as handicrafts, jewelry, souvenirs, and local products, it is possible to explore them in different markets separately. The markets such as Godowlia, Vishwanath Gali, and Rajan Silk Market are suitable for the textile shopping, and Thatheri Bazaar, Dal Mandi, and other traditional markets can be chosen for different types of products. Planning makes the shopping experience more pleasant and provides the opportunity to examine products properly and appreciate them. It is not necessary to buy the first products you like. It is possible to compare different products and choose those that really represent your Varanasi experience.
Tips for Shopping in Varanasi
Shopping in traditional markets requires being patient and attentive. As many products in Varanasi are handmade and differ in the quality, it is important to examine them carefully before purchasing.
Compare Products Before Buying It is recommended to visit several shops and compare prices and quality of products before purchasing expensive products such as sarees, jewelry, or handicrafts. Comparison of products in different stores provides the understanding of their real value.
Ask About Materials and Manufacturing Process It is important to know what materials were used for manufacturing particular product to understand its real price. No matter whether you are going to purchase a silk saree, brass item, jewelry, or embroidered item, the knowledge of materials used and the process of its making will provide more information about it.
Examine Products It is important to examine each product before purchasing. In case of sarees, it is recommended to pay attention to the fabric, stitching, and zari work. The same applies to the handicrafts and metal items, as they require proper examination. Any small damage of the pattern, loose threads, or poor finish can affect the quality of the product.
Shopping for Gifts in Varanasi
There are numerous gift choices which reflect the culture of Varanasi. While making a choice of gift, you should consider the preferences of the person and select a gift accordingly. You should also make sure that the selected gift will be convenient to take along with you on your trip. The brass products, wood items, local souvenirs, and food items can be great options to consider. A Banarasi saree may prove to be an appropriate gift choice for those people who love to wear traditional clothes of India. In case of small gifts, there are various options for travelers to consider. When buying jewellery, make sure that you check its quality and finishing properly.
What Makes Shopping in Varanasi Different?
Shopping in Varanasi is quite unique because it helps tourists discover the traditions and lifestyle of the city. Unlike the shopping malls, markets in Varanasi have close ties with local artisans, historic neighbourhoods, and local techniques of production. Strolling around the narrow lanes, visitors can find stores that sell textiles, handicrafts, jewellery, and other products made by hand. All of the products available in such markets are often the results of many years of experience. Every market focuses on particular products and their types. Some of the marketplaces focus on textile goods, some – on metalcrafts or jewellery, and others on local products. The uniqueness of shopping in Varanasi lies in all those relations. Each purchase brings a visitor closer to the culture of the city. Banarasi saris remain among the most popular products; however, the shopping culture of Banaras is not limited to textiles only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarnath
What is famous in Varanasi for shopping?
Varanasi is famous for its Banarasi silk sarees, brass and copper items, jewelry, wooden crafts, handicrafts zardozi work, and local food products.
Where can I buy Banarasi sarees in Varanasi?
In Varanasi, the well-known markets for Banarasi sarees are Godowlia Market, Vishwanath Gali and Rajan Silk Market.
Which market in Varanasi is famous for brass and copper items?
Thatheri Bazaar in Varanasi is famous for its brass and copper items.
Is the Banarasi saree a GI product?
Yes. Banaras Brocades sarees and Sarees holds registered geographical indication.
Besides sarees, what can I buy in Varanasi?
Besides sarees, brass and copper items, wooden crafts, jewelry, bangles, zardozi work, handicrafts religious items and local food products can also be purchased in Varanasi.
Is bargaining common in Varanasi markets?
In Varanasi markets bargaining is mainly practiced in certain areas and must be done with care. As noted in some travel guides, it mainly applies to markets like Golghar, but comparing prices always remain advisable when buying higher value products.
Which market should I visit for general Banaras shopping?
Godowlia Market proves ideal for general Banaras shopping, since it combines a wide variety of goods such as textiles, handicrafts, jewellery, spices, sweets, and souvenirs.
You can also explore Varanasi to discover the many opportunities it offers
