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Rural Bazaars of Rajasthan |
In Rajasthan the
crafts have emerged not only as decorative feature, but are also
an essential part of the daily life for the people of Rajasthan.
In the hard desert with the harsh climate during almost half of
the year, efforts were taken to create the objects which were
useful, colourful and soothing for the eyes. To mention some of
the examples - they took their utensils and gave them shapes and
forms that were pleasing to the eye. Local Rajasthani people
decorated their clothes so that in the dull surroundings of the
desert they could spread their colours to its barrenness. They
wore jewellery and embroidered their shoes, madith precious
stones and wore amulets of gold in war. Amazing te
vibrant colourful paintings to honour their gods
and also recorded their historic events and the
mythology related to local gods. Royal and rich
kings decorated their arms wo
live with zest in such harsh conditions ! |
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Not all the arts & craft traditions of Rajasthan have originated
locally. The advantage for the local people of many states and
regions was that their areas was on the trade route to central
Asia and the contact with the traders made possible to know
about the arts flourishing in the other parts of the world.
There was such a hunger to learn the new arts that even the
master artists were kidnapped if they did not agree to teach
their talent. Kings used to honor good artists by gifting them
the gold coins on their achievements. The Mughals also added a
rich flavor to the arts of Rajasthan. It would not be wrong to
say that Rajputs and Mughals, both profited from each other,
brought new ideas and so were the hybrid highlights of this era
including Taj Mahal which benefited every participant.
Using colours in the desert of Rajasthan has its own
significance. May this be veils (Odhnies) of the women, or
turban of man by the colour and the way they are worn one can
make out which area this people locate from and the which status
these people may have (royals, farmers, warriors, traders)
something which is complicated to understand for the people not
from Rajasthan.
The delightful and colorful rural bazaars of Rajasthan still
have the distinct easy going atmosphere, typical of the medieval
times. Nothing much seems to have changed till today not even
the commodities in the market. Fairs and festivals in Rajasthan
provides an opportunity to people from far areas to gather at a
single place and shop for the essential commodities. One can buy
from these haats the exotic trinkets, beads, lac bangles, old
tribal silver jewellery, a range of handicraft items, fabric
items, utensils and animals as well. In the olden days, the
bazaars were divided according to different products. Now
although a few stray shops have come up, but still the tradition
is same. For example in one place there are shops of jewellery,
in other place there are shops of utensils and in other place
there are shops of fabric items. |
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Walking through the bazaars of Rajasthan which are filled with a
vast choice of articles is an amazing experience. Some of the
highlights should not be missed. Some of them are : silver
ornaments sold by kilos, buying handful semi-precious and
precious stones from the local people in many of the local
markets, having a look at some of the hand-block printed fabrics
piled up in shops, Feeling amazing collections of light waited
quilts are just a few examples to be mentioned of the medieval
bazaar of Rajasthan . |
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We at Indo Vacations gives you tips and advice where you can
make your shopping while being on your own as well as we can
assist you if you are interested in having the demonstration of
manufacturing units of different products of Rajasthan. You may
contact us with the details of your wishes and we would make the
arrangements and look forward to welcome you in the wonderful
arts and crafts world of Rajasthan. We have prepared some
details cities wise regarding the shopping in Rajasthan. |
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Barmer |
Barmer is famous for Vibrant embroideries, woolen durries, and
stone carvings. Sadar Bazaar is the famous local markets.
However as Barmer is not visited by most of the tourists coming
to Rajasthan so you may not find the products in the local
markets as the stitching and embroideries work take place in the
family atmosphere in the villages of Barmer. |
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Bikaner |
Bikaner is famous for camel products that include leather
footwear, bags with the brilliant gesso work on leather. Bikaner
is also known for Wool carpets and blankets, Bikaneri light
cotton quits are also among the famous articles available in the
local market. |
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Chittorgarh |
Chittorgarh is Known for its wooden painted toys made by the
families in the houses of surrounding villages. A thewa gold
jewellery in its own distinctive style has also made Chittorgarh
known. Leather Jutties made in Chittorgarh are also famous in
Rajasthan. |
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Jaipur |
Some of the specialties of the markets of Jaipur are supari
(Betel nuts), Jooties (traditional Indian shoes), special kind
of fabrics with natural colors, hand block printed textiles.
Jaipuri quilts have become very famous as they are light in
weight and give you the real warmness for being so low weighted
in addition to that they have the covers in tie-and-dye
patterns and even the quilt covers are available in large
verities and can be changed easily.
But the Highlights of Jaipur markets are Jewelry
and Gem stones. Jaipur enjoys the reputation of
being one of the biggest centre of the world when
it comes to cutting and polishing the rough
stones. Roughs stones are brought from |
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within and out of India
and are cut and polished manually. A considerable number of the
local population of Jaipur is employed in the filed of gemstones
and jewelry making. With the modernization there have been the
finest setups of factories in and around Jaipur producing high
quality of silver and gold Jewelry being sold in the local
market and exported as well all over the world. Indo Vacations helps you to find the right place to learn the
Jewelry making and advice you the wholesalers in the city for
the wished articles. |
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Jaisalmer |
Jaisalmer is famous for its wooden boxes with its interesting
patterns and motifs. Fabrics and textiles with embroidery has
made Jaisalmer famous though most of the products originally
come from Barmer and surrounding villages. Due to high numbers
of tourists Jaisalmer has become a hub for many of the silver
and textile articles. Small shopping can be done for good value
of money at the markets which are less visited by the tourists.
However one has be careful as lot of imitations are also sold in
the markets of Jaisalmer. |
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Jodhpur |
Jodhpur is famous today more than in the recent history for the
wooden articles. Wooden Chairs, Almeras, or any kind of new and
old wooden furniture is available here. Jodhpur also fulfills
the need of wooden toys of for the whole state of Rajasthan.
However one has to take care while so called antique furniture
that it may not be as old as it looks as there has been
aggressive techniques to make the new look old as long you
know the truth, this is a good buy for reasonable amount of
money and if it is really an antique you need to ask for the
related papers as you may not be able to take the articles
otherwise out of the country. Another attraction what Jodhpur
has to offer is the polo dresses. Jodhpuri people claim that
Polo dress was discovered here only and later adopted by the
English and is a standard today among the polo players. For
further shopping tips you may write to us or ask the Guides of
Indo Vacations for any assistance. |
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Kota |
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Kota has become famous for its small checked-weave cotton Sarees
called Kota Doriyas. The Sarees with light floral prints are
specially high in demand.
(The saree is the traditional dress for Indian women in many
sates of India. A Saree is a piece of fabric (could be cotton,
polyester, silk with or without a work on it) has a length if
5-6 yards in width. A saree is worn with a petticoat (a kind of
under skirt) of a similar shade (so that the colours of Saree
and the underskirt are matched and do not reflect while in
sunlight and is no more transparent). What you in addition need
is a matching or contrasting blouse or choli (upper part of the
Saree, available in different designs and works, choli is a
typical kind of Blouse, mostly of bright colours, used in
Rajasthan). |
The saree is in general wrapped three times around
the under skirt (Paticoat) with the inner end tucked on the right side
and wrapped around the front to the
back, pleated in the front on the second wrap and ending with
the extensively embroidered or printed end (also known as pallau)
draped over the left shoulder. A saree alone can be considered
as a dress. It is just fabric which is draped in a particular
way according to the custom and style of the particular place or
state of India. We at Indo Vacations help people from abroad
learn willing to wear a saree as a native women do. Short course
have been organized and the results have been promising for the
participants.) |
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Pushkar |
Pushkar has become world famous due the festival that takes place in
the month of November. This fair attracts various people from
India and abroad. Originally
this festival is related to the religious values and was for the
local people of Rajasthan who gathered from all over the places
with the products which they produced during the whole year. Now
due to interest of the tourists in the huge gathering and cattle
markets (main attractions are and remain camels) there are many
products being offered for the tourists only. To mention some of
the products which one should really look for while being in Pushkar are utensils, terracotta pots, camel saddles, bangles
and agriculture products of wide range. It is also interesting
to see the villagers negotiating and buying all possible
products of their daily life. |
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Shekhawati |
Shekhawati is famous and associated with the low-legged
Shekhawati chairs. This kind of chairs were used widely in the
olden Royal days by the local rich people. Though the region of
Shekhawati gained wealth by collecting the taxes by the camel
caravan owners but at the same time fine wood works were done
here. The Shekhawati region is known for its wood carving, metal
utensils, made-as-old furniture as well as for tie dye fabrics. |
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Udaipur |
Udaipur is the second main city ideal for shopping after Jaipur.
Though due to high number of tourist visit in this lake city
Udaipur has become a hub for most of the articles produced and
found in Rajasthan. Locally dyed fabrics and textiles,
embroideries, wooden toys, white metal objects as well as
articles made of soap stones, especially the images of the God
and Goddesses are famous among the famous articles of Udaipur.
As in most of the Rajasthan cities Silver Articles are also
widely available here. Enamel artifacts are also one of the
famous local product of Udaipur. But the real name which is
associated with Udaipur when it comes to shopping, is miniature
paintings. As the Maharaja of Udaipur supported the local school
of miniature paintings this art reached its superlative in the
olden royal days. Indo Vacations organize short and long
painting courses for those interested in learning this wonderful
Rajasthani miniature painting art. Please contact us (at Indo
Vacations) for more details. |
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