Most traders from all over India get their goods in Delhi and then bring them to the resorts where they can get significant profit. They choose the cheapest and basic products designed for gullible tourists. Therefore, if you want to bring home a really good quality stuff, it’s worth to spend a couple of days on shopping in the Indian capital. Clothing, footwear, cosmetics, souvenirs – everything is much more advantageous to buy here. Where do go shopping and what is certainly worth to buy? Well, we do have some answers for you.
Locations
Any clothing, electronics, DVD and compact discs can be bought on the underground market of Palika Bazaar. Walking along the rows between Connaught Place and Connaught Circus, you can oddly share the price on 3 and stand on it to the last. But note that in this shopping center it’s rather stuffy and to for spending long time there you must have excellent health and steel nerves. So just keep it on mind when planning your day of shopping.
You will not have problems with language, if you go even to a very cheap market named as Yashvant Place. Here you will definitely enjoy the bargains and prices on leather items, shoes and jewelry.
More “civilized” place to buy novelties is located near Palika Bazaar. You should look into the boutiques of Connaught Place – a real mecca for fashionistas with money. Around the located community buildings you can be find such stores as Adidas Originals, Bentley, Lee, Louis Philippe, Nike and many others. Especially pay attention to leather accessories.However, prices in the boutiques are fixed, bargaining is useless.
Large malls you find in the southern part of town – it’s Ansal Plaza. If you’re willing to spend more time, go to the satellite town of Delhi Gurgaon, where on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road is built the whole area for shopaholics.
Clothing
Any tourist who goes to India has someone among the friends who ask to bring a sari for them. Have you also decided to buy a national costume or some accessories for it? Before you commit this ill-advised move, think: This makes sense only if you learn at least one of the intricate ways to wrap around the 6.5 meters of fabric, which is the actual costume itself! And where are you going to walk in it? Likely to put on a couple of times at theme parties or carnivals?
If you do decide to get a sari, do not forget about another part of the costume – choli, a special close-fitting as a T-shirt. Its better to buy directly with the main blade.
Meanwhile, the ladies would be wiser to think of a shalwar kameez kameez – also very stylish typical Indian outfit consisting of pants of any style and a special blouse, tunics, short or long with sleeves or without. In this case you’ll be a welcome guest at the carnival, and separately the top and bottom is quite possible to combine with the usual clothes and wear in everyday life in any of the resorts. High-quality silk shalwar kameez kameez with a special scarf (called dupata) would cost about 70-150 dollars, a very practical silk-cotton version – is 2-3 times cheaper, in pure cotton – a few dollars, but do not get surprised if pretty quickly it will become a faded cloth. And if you can not just buy a ready outfit and want to have a special fabric for it you are always welcome to visit the tailor – all will be ready within hours.
In shops of Delhi you will see a lot of branded stuff. They are sewn by local factories and are intended mainly for the regional market. Be careful: the quality of the clothes, even the most popular brands can be much lower than usual. Although found, for example, decent jeans or shirt is quite real. It is best to make shopping in the sales periods: in August, in February, during the autumn festival of Diwali.
Cosmetics
The most popular cosmetic brands which are originated in India are Himalaya, Taaj and Swati. In Delhi you can buy them with a rather cheap price. Therefore it is necessary to bring the girls a few cherished tubes from India.Today popularly used instead of body lotion are the so-called natural oils. And these charming companies make their own lotions. Hooked on a home made recipes will appreciate the coconut oil which is another popular gift from India for just $ 1-2 per bottle.
Spices
Indian cuisine is famous for its skillful use of spices and while tasting the local cuisine, you’ll want to share the culinary experience with friends and bring home the most popular condiments. Be aware when buying such souvenirs in the market. A variety of insects often lay eggs in the piles, and you may well bring home a clutch of illegal immigrants. If you still dare on this large grocery market situated opposite the bazaar Dilli Haat. Still there are plenty of stores which might offer good quality stuff.
Drinks
Seasoned travelers are recommended to bring from India at least one bottle of rum belonging to the brand of Indian Old Monk. So be sure to arrive at the airport in advance: to buy this drink is best at the duty-free store .
Souvenirs
Any small gifts to relatives and friends is best buy in the heart of Delhi: here everything is a lot cheaper than at any of the resorts. As a gift-giver you can save money while buying a variety of products made of wood and bone, scarves made of silk and cashmere, and much more. The first thing that you will advised as a foreigner is Main Bazaar, which is located directly opposite the train station in New Delhi.
But it’s much more interesting to go to market of handicrafts – Dilli Haat, which will surely satisfy all your requests to the gadgets. You can also walk to the shops around Connaught Place, but there products are usually slightly more expensive.However, given the Indian price, the difference in cost will not ruin your expectations. Located near to this area is the Tibetan Market Janpath. It is recommend for those looking forsilver, cheap jewelry and items with semi-precious stones, but never settle for the first-mentioned price!
