Varanasi is long reputed as one of India's most important pilgrimage sites, but first-time visitors to Varanasi are pleasantly surprised to find that it is also one of the state's most flourishing commercial centres. In fact, Varanasi is a pivotal trade hub among the cities lying to the east of Delhi.
The rich and vibrant history of Varanasi is evident in the quality of their artwork. The city is famous for beautiful silk sarees, intricate gold jewellery and hand-knotted carpets that showcase the skills of its artisans.
Don't become overwhelmed with all of the shopping options in Varanasi, take a look at our Varanasi Shopping Guide below to learn more about the best deals and the best places to shop in Varanasi. Revive your energy over lunch at one of the many Varanasi restaurants and snack stands available all over the city. For more general Indian shopping information, check out our India Shopping Guide.
Varanasi Shopping Guide
What to Buy
Silk
Benarasi saris and brocades are an essential part of every Indian bride's trousseau, often passing on from generation to generation like a family heirloom. But if you're buying a Benarasi silk sari for the first time, it would be worthwhile to take along a more experienced companion. Cheaper imitations can look very much like the real thing, and it requires an expert eye to identify the fake ones. It is also recommended that you bargain really hard before you settle on the deal.
The quality is exquisite, the range mind-boggling and the prices frighteningly high or surprisingly low, depending on your luck and, of course, the quality of the silk. If silk saris are beyond your budget, settle for silk scarves or silk shawls. You can also buy the material and custom-make garments to fit your style.
Copper and Brass
Varanasi offers some exquisite pieces of copperware and brassware. A great souvenir to carry back home is the 'kamandalam' or brass water pot, used by saints to carry water from the holy Ganges River.
Toys
Wooden and clay toys are other popular souvenirs. Quintessentially Indian in form and design, these toys use surprisingly simple, made from inexpensive materials, and are quite artistic.
Gold
Goldsmiths in Varanasi seem to be unaffected by modern trends. Jewellery, unlike current trends in the country which emphasise light and functional gold, is unashamedly traditional and heavy.
Musical Instruments
If you have an ear for music, you'll be delighted to find that Varanasi is the place to be. You may want to shop for the sitar, shehnai, tabla and pakhawaj, or at the very least patronise a concert by Ustad Bismillah Khan and Ravi Shankar.
Edible Goods
Varanasi is famous for its ‘malda' or ‘langda' mangoes, a kind of juicy sweet-and- sour mango that has takers all over the sub-continent. If you aren't afraid of experimenting with your food, you may also want to shop for murabba, a delicious sweet pickle made with different fruits, the aloo papad made with potatoes and the paan masala - highly flavoured betel nuts coated with various spices.
Water
Water from the Ganga is sold in jerry cans near the pilgrimage site. This is an excellent souvenir to carry back home for like-minded friends who'll appreciate the sanctity of the gift.
Chillum
A lot of the hard-core pilgrims seem to find their highs not solely from the spiritual, but from the very carnal marijuana. As a result, Varanasi is an excellent place to shop for chillums.
Knick-knacks
Look around and you'll find a large variety of quaint wall hangings, fine hand-knotted carpets, beautifully embroidered shawls, artistic stone sculptures and stone inlay work, pretty lampshades, scintillating glass beads and bangles, and tasteful Zari work.
Where to Buy
Modern shopping malls seem to be springing up on a rather regular basis. While these malls may offer a more comfortable shopping experience, the prices here are fixed and steep.
To get the best bargains, head out to the local shopping areas like Chowk, Vishwanath Gali, Gyan Vapi, Thatheri Bazar, Godoulia, Lahurabir, Dashswamedh Gali and Golghar. Remember to strike a hard bargain or the shop keepers may get the better of you!
