Flea markets don’t need a mention but there could still be some nooks tucked away, perhaps in your own city, which you may not be aware of. This post hopes to throw light on those. Before you plan a break, you may want to know what a place could be famous for. More importantly, when you’re scouring for novel gifts , the following information could come handy.

While most of these are just a click away & will be delivered at your doorstep, setting your sight on pretty things, feeling the texture & haggling is an experience by itself..

No matter where you trot, you’d always want to bring home a bit of where you’d been!

Colaba Causeway, Mumbai

What’s in Store-Baubles and trinkets twinkling in sunlight. Semi-Precious stones like Lapiz Lazuli, Garnet, Jade, Amathyst, Onyx, crystals etc are strung together to make pretty necklaces. Every shop is an Aladdin’s cave & you’ll never tire of halting at every shop! 

From trinkets in stones, shaped in all imaginable shapes, bling jewelry, which young girls would die for,

to bling jewelry 

 to colorful shoulder bags, 

to clutch purses done in pretty sequins and cotton shoulder-bags in myriad colors,

to colorful stoles

to even paintings, Colaba has it all!!

Your bag is sure to burst at the seams; your purse will be light too! 

From necklaces that are strung in Lapiz Lazuli, Garnet, Jade and shells which they claim are washed ashore, these stalls sell paintings and marble wares too. Precious stones scintillating in sunlight, cast a spell, that’s simply hard to resist.

Oshiwara Antique Shops

These nondescript shops unfortunately have perhaps been overshadowed by the famed Chor Bazar. However, walking through the row of shops, will I betcha give you that adrenaline rush!

If you are an art or an antique aficionado, this is the place for you.

From blue pottery to ceramic sets, wooden treens, lampshades, Ravi Verma paintings, figurines to antique furniture, you get it all here..

If you, like me, love antique stuff, then you could scout for these in these shops, but mind you, reserve the whole day for shopping!

Gramin Arts with its traditional wooden figurines & curios, is a hub for South Indian artefacts.

From traditional wooden plaques done in typical colors, to metal temple doors to match boxes of yore, Gramin will surely keep you piqued.

However, Gramin is also a tad expensive than most others.

Saba Curios on the main road is for elegant antique chandeliers & lamps.

Kasheli Market, Mumbai

This market, predominantly a furniture mart, spread over a large expanse lies secluded from prying eyes, in the fringes of Mumbai, Thane to be specific.

While most deal with contemporary furniture, there are two shops dealing with antique furniture. One of these is exactly near the entrance & to the right & the other, a bit farther away & is Antique Loft.

At one corner is Sai Art Gallery, with its modern artefacts. The shop also has a good collection of wall paper designs.

Lonavla, Maharashtra

What’s in Store-Miniature figurines representing Indian costumes, along with miniature dining table set made in brass. The Taj Mahal is a permanent fixture as are Meenakari trinkets and bangles & Kalamkari fabric. At the far end usually is an attar shop selling exotic fragrances in tiny bottles.

Shoulder bags and reticules in vibrant hues, embroidered with tassels and sequins left dangling on strings will never fail to titivate passersby. Cushions and clutches with mirror-work and sequins, urns & lanterns, Jootis, paintings and all things pretty are on display.

On the outskirts of the coastal city of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, lies a sleepy hamlet, nondescript until you walk into the by-lanes lined with colorful clay idols! Thatched huts ―a quintessence of this village, lie strewn across its length and breadth.

While most tourists would give Vandipallayam a definite miss, a typical Tamilian household, which celebrates Navrathri Golu would not & should not!

What’s in Store-Visit every little cottage here and place an order for each set. From traditional Ram, Lakshman etc to Dashavatar to cricket set, everything is carefully fashioned and chiseled to perfection.

While Tanjore paintings are no more the purview of Tanjavur, while in Chennai, you might as well scout for these precious paintings, inlaid with gold foils and semi-precious stones. The main themes are Gods and demigods, but with a richness that’s sure to make it aesthetic. 

Where-Central Cottage Emporium at Nandanam in Chennai has a stock of original Tanjore paintings, apart from R. Govindarajan in Tanjavur itself.

Charminar, Hyderabad 

What’s in Store-Bejeweled bangles, gilt necklaces, trinkets studded with semi-precious gems in various colors, baubles and bibelots, and Hyderabad pearls strung together, can be a titillating visual treat & I daresay that no woman can leave without making some purchase here.

Sparkling stones in myriad hues, earrings patterned in Mughal designs, ornaments carved out like pomegranates, mangoes, peacocks and roses would soon find their way into your bag

Kondapalli, Andra Pradesh

About 15 kilometers from Vijaywada, is the village of Kondapalli.

What’s in Store-Colorful Wooden toys and wooden dolls, papier mache dolls, wooden masks and totems depicting Gods and patrons. Vibrantly colored, these toys are light to carry and can enliven any boring space. South Indian homes that celebrate Navratri Gollu should not miss this.

What’s in Store-Gorgeous Kolkatta cotton handwoven sarees.

You’d rather spend 2 full days shopping for Kolkatta sarees, Tanchoi sarees and hand crafted jewelry. Lac bangles, shell bangles, the visage of the Mother Goddess Kaali, jute reticules, pochettes, cane letter-boxes et al will am sure leave you running from pillar to post shopping for more!

Sikkimese Kho (Traditional Costume of Sikkimese Women)

Tibetan handicrafts, Tibetan bells, dragons and amulets, et al are sure to leave you spell-bound. Tashi View Point and other places have to wait!

Note the Dragon Motif on the bags.

A Wooden Vase with Dragon Motif

Do buy some! It’s a remarkable experience to listen to these songs usually set in mountainous music. There’re 2 Music Shops in MG. Market itself.

Eucalyptus oil, sandalwood paste, stone jewelry

 scarves and stoles, and even Kashmiri Kurtis! 

Antique bronze curios like antiquated Telephone sets perhaps fashioned by Graham Bell himself!

In Kerala, if you’ve had your fill with the native set-mundu (the cream colored sarees & dhotis with golden borders) and when your eyes long for more colours and motifs, then, fret not. Right in the heart of Trichur, is a retail outlet with a chain of shops selling some of India’s well-known textiles ―renowned for their unique motifs.

 

 

What’s in Store? From Kalamkari suits, dupptatta & sarees, Madhurai Chungdi, Rajsthani block prints, Odisha’s Sambhalpuri motifs, Andhra’s Pochumpalli to Chettinaad Cotton sarees, V.M. Subramania Iyer & Sons stocks all these & more. The shop name banner has a chain along the same street & its staff is a pleasant lot that caters to its customers very patiently.

The place is near City Centre, Round West, Trichur. 

Shri Chitra Art Gallery, Trivandrum

What’s in Store-Housed within is a treasure trove of murals and paintings done by the great Raja Ravi Varma! Known as the ‘Painter among Princes’ and ‘Prince among Painters’, this talented artist was born into an aristocratic family. One look at his paintings and you’d wonder if it was God who personally held the artist’s hands while the strokes emerged on canvas!

Women being his main muse, you can take your pick of graceful nymphs, dignified wives, stately queens, shy belles, et al.

Shankautala pretending to pick a thorn while stealing a glance at her paramour. 

 

Even today Jaipur caters to a woman’s every whim, transforming her to a Rani of yore!

Udaipur, Rajasthan

    Shops leading to Eklingji Temple have an assortment of wares. Even the shops dotting the precincts of Kumbhalgarh Fort boast of quaint curios.

Sayeliyon Ki Bawli, Udaipur

However, just outside Saheliyon Ki Bawli, are lesser known artists exhibiting their talents. Marble inlaid work and wooden boxes lavishly carved are also available here. My most prized collection is the work of a humble artist, who is known to have sketched in a jiffy. The collection I bought still graces a corner of my home & has been a successful icebreaker. That was almost a decade ago when I had been to the place.

 

  Chaitri Roses are christened thus as these bloom in March-April or Chiatra (Hindu Month).

Chaitri roses cultivated here are used in perfumes, in Gulghand, juices & potions that have medicinal value.

What’s in Store-Miniature Taj Mahals in marbles start dotting your way even at New Delhi. But, the shops right outside Taj Mahal, hold a plethora of lovely, pretty marmoreal curios. Attractive marble wall-hangings with enamel work, pretty candelabra, key chains, plates, chess boards, et al, make these shops vie for attention with the Taj itself.

A miniature of this marmoreal beauty does deserve a place of pride in your home.

 

Ring Sarees

Some shops in Agra also sell a semi-silk sari that can literally be passed through a finger ring!! These come in lovely floral designs and pastel shades and look very elegant too. Draped in it, you’d feel as light as a feather.

T. Nagar (Thyagaraja Nagar, Chennai), Tamil Nadu

If there’s any street that’s happening and throbbing with a happy & thrilled crowd, then it’s undoubtedly T-Nagar or Tyagaraja Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu!

What’s in Store– With mostly nubile brides and eager grooms shopping for their D-day, this place boasts of brand names like Nalli, Kumaran’s, Nalli’s, RMKV, Rangachari’s, Pothy’s, Chennai Silks, Lalita Jewelry, Joy Aluka’s, Thangamaligai’s, prince Jewlery and the like!

Sights of bright colored brocaded sarees would awe you as much as the fragrant garlands outside would. The waft of Mogra mingles with Chameli and it’s not uncommon to find a bundle adorning a Tamilian mami’s well coiffed hair.

No Tamilian marriage is solemnized without at least a mention of T-Nagar; (whether wedding parties visit the place or not is a big question, given similar brand names in other cities). But, T-Nagar is certainly a happy place to be in & shop in. The excitement is so infectious that you’d wait for celebrations & a trip will be etched in your memory for a long time to come.

Try visiting in monsoon or after July to March for a better experience.

23. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Scattered like shells on the shores of Kanyakumari are a hundred shops selling the quaintest of curios made of sea-shells and wood.
The shoreline is bedizened with shops selling geegaws like mirrors, necklaces, bracelets, conch necklaces, flower pots, tchotchkes & gimcracks ―all made of sea shells. You’d in a few minutes become a seasoned mudlark, scouring for fascinating things!

 

Do not miss some of the most beautiful, silken sarees (not silk) sold at throwaway prices here! You’d end up buying an additional bag to accommodate sarees!

Cauvery, Bangalore, Karnataka

With a chain of shops dotting not only the whole of Karnataka, from Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, but also India’s metropolitan cities, Cauvery is an art-lover’s haven.

Located in Jayanagar, Bangalore, the store with 3 storeys, houses artefacts & handicrafts in brass, stone, marble, wood work, paintings, pooja items, bells, giant busts of the Buddha et al.

Reserve about 2 hours & you will be sated. It’s exquisite & you will love the place.

Anjuna Flea Market, Goa

While every Goan beach has its own flea market, the one at Anjuna offers the whole of India in a platter! Given the influx of foreigners, clever artisans have consolidated their place here!

At Naggar Castle, Kullu, you’ve a gallery showcasing a collection of paintings done by the Russian artist Nicolas Roerich.

 

What’s in Store-I’d say his paintings are a mirror image of Himachal Pradesh in its entirety. Take a pick from snow-clad peaks, pines and village belles, & much more.

Sobha Singh’s Art Gallery, Andretta, Palumpur, Himachal Pradesh

The beauty and the salubrious climes of the hills have made artists, writers & poets out of ordinary men. Or perhaps it is here where most artists and poets have chosen to put down roots.

Andretta, around 11 km from Palampur in Himachal Pradesh houses a collection of Sobha Singh’s works. His muse being hilly belles, the beauty of a Gaddi woman has been well captured by this artist ―the most famous being the portrait of ‘Sohni Mahiwal’.

 

 

 

 

A Kullu Jacket bought from Kullu Factory, Himachal Pradesh

Amateur artists selling their paintings of the valley on patches of wooden barks are not to be missed.

Kotwali Bazar, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

What’s in Store-8 lucky charms, vibrant carpets, Thangkas, prayer wheels, Tara busts etc. Kangra Art Gallery displaying Kangra Paintings is a must visit.

Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Apart from cosmetics, this place stocks Chinese herbs and potions along with incense sticks, joss sticks, antique urns, Chinese lanterns, CD’s, bronze statues, et al.

Despite the several malls in Singapore, Mustafa has been the favorite especially among Indians and a shopping spree here will not disappoint you.

What’s in Store –Different levels within house an array of wares ranging from everyday needs, designer clothes, sarees, gold jewelry, perfumes, cutlery, souvenirs and the famous Tiger Balm!!

 

 

In some shops unlike in other Singapore malls, you can haggle too. When you get weary, lick your fingers at some of the Indian restaurants outside!

Bali’s wood work vies for attention with its silverware & art display. Its batik work can be found in masks & sarongs. The most famous objet d’ art being Rama & Sita, you’d most certainly buy one set. 

Mas near Ubud, has shops displaying its marvellous furniture & colossi. But Ubud Market is where you get tiny treens. 

The home-stay where we stayed while we were at Ubud-Kailash Homestay, own a shop with an astounding collection of furniture, showpieces & centerpieces that range from tiny treens to those colossal in proportion!  

An emporium in Kuta

Celuk near Ubud has its streets lined with silvers shops but its backyards boast of skilled artisans & jewellers who may offer you good discounts. 

This granny’s wares are sure to arrest your attention-in fact you’d surely fill your palms with as much as you can pick!

Many opine that it’s in Paro where one finds goods at a cheaper price. However, if starting your journey in Phuntsholing, do walk around the market place. That way you can compare the price & if returning to Phuntsholing, you can still make those purchases you couldn’t in other places. Also, this allows you to travel light to other destinations, as Phuntsholing is the border district.  

Tshela Handicrafts, Phuntsholing (above), has a very exotic & exhaustive collection of souvenirs & knickknacks.

It’s not uncommon to find rooftops in bright red. The locals especially farmers dry these on their rooftops. Bhutanese red chilies are known for their distinct flavor & my friends, who picked them in kilos, vouched for their distinctive spiciness in pickles, which they later made. 

Those white cubes, which the women pluck off the strings that dangle from shop roofs, are nothing but yak cheese! These make for tasty tidbits that you could munch on the way or take home with. Dried apple peels are packed in grams & these also make for delicious mincemeat.