Must buy Souvenirs from India for Foreign Travelers
India has 29 states, and you can select souvenirs unique to each of the states as selecting souvenirs from the places they have originated will aid you in knowing many stories and facts about the place as well as the souvenir.
With its outstanding culture, India is home to thousands of handmade products that reflect the art and culture in the country and can be considered as perfect souvenirs. India is a diverse country, with vast culture and heritage that one must explore and embrace. While exploring the diversity and distinctiveness of the country, one can also collect little pieces of India to take back home. When we travel, we take back unforgettable memories and experiences and a beautiful way of keeping these memories alive is by taking back iconic souvenirs.
Souvenir hunting is an integral part of traveling regardless of whether it is for gifting purpose or personal use. The human instinct of collecting things that catch our fancy is what drives a traveler to indulge in a souvenir trail. When you embark on a voyage in India, there are several items, especially indigenous and home grown, which are soaked in the flavor of the land, that make a perfect souvenir to take back home. India is truly a shopper’s paradise and hence it can be confusing as to what to choose but one must pick a souvenir unique to the place.
The local markets are the ideal place for you to purchase indigenous and home-grown items and when you purchase a local handicraft or a souvenir from different states, you are not only buying memorabilia but also lending support to small-scale artisans who rely on tourism for their livelihood. Traveling across the length and breadth of India will make you realize the significance of rural artisans who create excellent art and crafts, most of which are handmade and require immense skill and effort. Popular Indian souvenirs range from Pashmina shawls of Kashmir to flavored teas of Darjeeling. To enhance your traveling experience by collecting special souvenirs, we have made a list of Indian souvenirs that you can look for while exploring different states of India.
Traditional Indian paintings
The colorful and vibrant country of India has a rich legacy in painting and other canvas related art work. India is home to skilled artisans who carve out beautiful structures on rocks and caves as well. The diversity of Indian art and craft is reflected in the various vivid and distinct painting forms found in India. Each painting style, prevalent across various parts of India, represents the unique cultural heritage, traditions, and customs of the place. Initially, these paintings existed as wall paintings and murals that were found in various heritage sites of India. Later, these paintings found their way on canvas, paper and cloth and began to be seen as the reflection of the various indigenous lifestyles across India and as the expression of the artist’s vision. There are a variety of authentic Indian art forms and regional painting styles like Madhubani paintings, Kalamkari paintings, Tanjore paintings, Warli paintings that one can take back as souvenirs. A few renowned traditional painting forms in India are:
Madhubani paintings
This is a very special art form that originated in the Mithila region of India situated in Bihar, known for its distinct geometrical patterns. This style of painting stands out from the usual art forms as it involves the use of different tools such as brushes, twigs and matchsticks and also fingers and nib-pens. The paintings offer pictorial representations of various Hindu themes such as Lord Krishna’s dance scenes and beautiful village landscapes. Due to its incredible colors that are made out of natural pigments and dyes, it can be considered as an interesting/outstanding souvenir to bring back home from India. If you wish to decorate your home with Indian patterns, artwork and colors, you must consider Madhubani paintings.
Kalamkari paintings
This ancient temple art gained prominence in India as a storytelling medium that depicts mythological themes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam. Originating from the temples in Andhra Pradesh, the art derives its name from kalam which means pen and kari which means art; and refers to an intricate style of hand painting onto clothes. The beautiful color patterns are made using only natural colors or vegetable dyes. Motifs of flowers, elephants, peacocks are commonly used to depict religious tales.
Warli paintings
Originated in the Warli region of Maharashtra, Warli is a form of tribal art that makes use of geometric shapes such as circles, triangles, square, each shape symbolizing something distinct, to depict the circle of life and beliefs of the Warli tribe.
Pashmina Shawls and Kashmiri Carpets
Pashmina Shawls
Pashmina shawls and Kashmiri carpets are the most prominent Indian souvenirs that one can collect from Jammu and Kashmir. The term ‘pashmina’ is derived from the ancient Persian word ‘pashm’ which is a term used for any fiber that can be woven. The wool of Pashmina comes from four distinct breeds of Pashmina goats, reared mainly in Kashmir and Ladakh area that produce the wool known as ‘pashm’. The wool is extremely fine, soft, and light, hand-spun fiber. Due to its fine texture, it is also referred to as soft gold in the local language. Today Pashmina is also synonymous with the soft shawls also referred to as Cashmere. Pashmina shawls are the most famous products made from pashmina that has become the identity of the region which makes it a perfect souvenir to take back from India. However, it is difficult to get 100% pure pashmina shawls so it is recommended to buy it from authorized stores in Kashmir and Ladakh or Kashmir emporiums that can provide you with a bill of Pashmina purity. Available in a variety of colors and with delicate and embroidery patterns, Pashmina shawls are one of the most beautiful and delicate souvenirs in India.
With their elaborate designs, distinct color combination and rich use of patterns, Indian carpets are more radiant and in demand in comparison to the carpet in other countries. In India, carpet weaving was first introduced in Kashmir in the late 15th century and weavers from Persia were brought to Kashmir to train the locals. Today, carpet weaving is a successful small-scale industry in Kashmir. These carpets made of pure cotton or pure silk are handmade and hand-knotted in Kashmir. It takes about 8-10 months to weave a high-quality Kashmiri carpet making it one of the prized souvenirs that one can take from India. In order to buy authentic Kashmiri carpets, one must visit Kashmir Emporium stalls.
Blue Pottery
Rajasthan can be considered as the hub of Indian traditional handicrafts. A prominent craft of the state, especially Jaipur, is the elegant blue pottery. The name blue pottery is based on the vibrant cobalt blue-colored dye that is used to color the pottery. The ancestry of the art of blue pottery can be traced to the Mongol and Chinese techniques of glazing tiles and was first introduced by the Mughals in India. The unique appearance of the blue pottery is derived from the use of a special paste that is made by blending quartz stone powder, powdered glass, multani mitti, borax, gum and water that leads to an incredible outcome. The patterns initially originated from Persia but later contemporary patterns including, floral designs, geometric patterns, animal and bird motifs, Indian deities, etc. became popular. One can find various decorative items such as tile, pots, mugs, vases, and plates in the local shops in Jaipur. This cobalt blue pottery is one of a kind and an eye-catching souvenir that you must take back home from Jaipur.
Indian Tea
India is the world’s number 2 producer of tea in the world, and it is common knowledge that Indian tea is one of the best in the entire world. There are different varieties of tea found in India as each tea plantation grows a distinct variety of tea that varies in terms of taste, color, and method of processing. The popular varieties of tea in India are Assam tea, Darjeeling tea, Kangra tea, and Nilgiri tea. Darjeeling tea is renowned worldwide for its delicate muscatel flavor and is exported to different parts of the world. Assam tea has a strong taste and darker color while Nilgiri tea, grown in the hills of Nilgiri and Munnar has an intense fragrance, smooth, mellow taste, and natural sweetness. Several flavored teas such as chocolate tea, rose tea, vanilla tea, etc. are also available in India.
India is a paradise for tea lovers who can sip a cup of tea leisurely at street stalls and restaurants and also, get tea packets as a souvenir to carry back home for friends and family to try. Experiencing India’s tea industry firsthand would be a great opportunity for the tea enthusiasts who can stop at the picturesque terraced hills of an Indian tea plantation to see pickers working in the fields carrying a basket full of plucked tea leaves. Do you wish to provide your family back home with an authentic experience of India? Then, keep aside the postcards and fridge magnets and buy a packet of tea from the tea-growing regions and take back with you the fragrance of Indian tea as a souvenir.
Spices and Ayurvedic Products
Spices and Ayurvedic Products
India’s aromatic cuisine is world renowned due to the use of spices. Spices are an integral part of Indian cooking and there is a long list of spices that are native to India. It is the use of spices such as pepper, turmeric, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, etc. that has infused the local cuisine with a wide range of exotic aromas and flavors. Due to various climatic conditions in different states, each region in India produces different spices and each of the spices grown in India are of the finest quality. Kerala is considered as the ‘land of spices’ where the spice trade dates back thousands of years. If you are interested to learn about the rich flavors and natural healing properties of the spices, you can visit some of the oldest spice merchants in Cochin. You can also learn how to grind and toast the spices to get a stronger aroma and also try some spice mixtures like tea or fruit blends. Since spices are an integral part o f the Indian lifestyle, it can be found in supermarkets and local bazaars all over the country. Khari Baoli in Delhi is one of the most popular and largest wholesale spice markets in India while Varanasi and Kolkata also have a very colorful spice market. One can distinguish the quality of the spice based on the color; the deeper shade of yellow in the case of turmeric reflects its higher quality. You can also crush a spice with your fingers and smell the aroma to determine its quality. It would be ideal to buy a spice box that contains multiple options such as red chili, peppercorns, cumin, ginger, cardamom, garam masala etc. to take back home.
Apart from the spices, the ayurvedic products and oils are another aspect of Indian culture that play a prominent role in the maintenance of skin and hair of Indians. Ayurvedic products include cosmetic and medicinal serums, cosmetics, and soaps made following the guidelines of Ayurveda. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical system, has become popular in the world as the products do not contain unnatural chemicals and are made from natural herbs. Some brands that produce ayurvedic products and oils work with local forest communities and small scale farmers to ensure the purity of their products. This ancient therapy has come to the aid of people suffering from different ailments by curing and preventing further health issues with no side issues. Kerala, referred to as God’s own country, is rooted in Ayurveda and is the home to oils that can have miraculous effect on your body and cure all your ailments. Ayurveda also plays a major role in beauty products such as cleansers, moisturizers, massage oils. Aloe Vera, turmeric, sandalwood, coconut oils are some of the common ingredients found in ayurvedic products. These ayurvedic products that ensure overall well-being can be an ideal gift for friends and family.
Traditional Sarees
Sarees can be considered as the staple wear of Indian women and is synonymous with the culture and heritage of India. Each part of the country has its unique style, design, texture and fabric of sarees out of which Banarasi sarees, Chanderi sarees, Kanjeevaram sarees, Mysore silks, are few of the most popular Indian sarees that are sold in different parts of India. While the Banarasi saree is known for its gold and silver brocade, fine silk and opulent embroidery, Chanderi sarees are known for the softness, transparency and fringes embroidered with a heavy golden thread. Sarees have found global recognition and have made their presence felt on the runaways and the fashion arena. Prepared with intensive labor and brilliant handwork, this great Indian attire is a symbol of Indian culture and its grandeur makes it a perfect souvenir to take back. For men, there is an ethnic top wear known as ‘kurta’ that is longer than a shirt and ensures comfort. Make sure that you don’t leave India without this iconic souvenir because buying them in India is one of a kind experience and remember that it is the most authentic place to buy them.
Indian Jewelry
Indian Jewelry
Indian jewelry with its elaborate work in terms of design and shape has carved an identity for itself. The elaborate yet graceful designs are handcrafted to perfection and are as rich and varied as the culture of India. Bangles, necklaces, earrings, nose pins, bracelets, and more have adorned women of India for ages. India offers a huge collection of unique designs of gold, silver, oxidized, precious, semi-precious stone jewelry which change from one part of the country to another. Traditionally, Indian jewelry was made of gold and silver as diamonds were accessible only to the royal class in India. In Rajasthan, jewelry is an integral part of the local culture, and the production is supported by royal rulers. Jaipur is one of the best places to buy silver jewelry like nose rings, bangles, etc. There are also numerous forms of tribal jewelry in India which are made of locally available products like wood, bamboo, terracotta but their beauty remains intact. The tribal jewelry from Jharkhand which includes neck pieces, earrings, wrist ornaments, is unique due to the use of gems that are produced using natural resources. So, do not forget to add Indian jewelry to your list of must-buy souvenirs from India while you indulge in street shopping.
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