Jaipur Shopping Guide

Jaipur's bazaars still follow the trades they were laid out for: jewellers in Johari Bazaar, bangle-makers in Tripolia, shoes in Nehru Bazaar. Once you know which street sells what, the old city shops like a department store with the walls taken off. Here's where to find what.

The Major Bazaars

Johari Bazaar

What: Jewellery and gems. "Johari" means jeweller.

Best for:

• Kundan jewellery (traditional Rajasthani style)
• Silver jewellery
• Meenakari (enamel work)
• Precious and semi-precious gems

Caution: Don't buy expensive gemstones unless you're an expert. Scams are common. Stick to silver and costume jewellery.

Location: Old city, runs from Sanganeri Gate to Badi Chaupar

Bapu Bazaar

What: Textiles, clothes, souvenirs

Best for:

• Block-printed fabrics
• Scarves and stoles
• Ready-made clothes
• Rajasthani mojris (embroidered shoes)
• General souvenirs

Tips:

• More tourist-oriented than other bazaars
• Bargain hard
• Quality varies, check carefully

Location: South of Johari Bazaar

Tripolia Bazaar

What: Lac bangles, household items, textiles

Best for:

• Lac bangles (traditional, every colour)
• Brass and copperware
• Textiles

Location: Between Chhoti Chaupar and Tripolia Gate

Nehru Bazaar

What: Footwear and fabrics

Best for:

• Traditional juttis (Rajasthani shoes)
• Fabrics by the metre
• Budget clothing

Location: Near Ajmeri Gate

Chandpole Bazaar

What: Handicrafts, marble items

Best for:

• Marble handicrafts
• Wooden items
• Traditional crafts

Location: West of old city centre

What to Buy

Block-Printed Textiles

Jaipur is India's block-printing capital. Traditional patterns printed by hand using carved wooden blocks.

What to look for:

• Bedsheets and quilts
• Scarves and dupattas
• Dress fabric by metre
• Table linens

Where:

• Anokhi, High-quality, fixed prices, expensive but reliable
• Bapu Bazaar, Cheaper, bargain needed, quality varies
• Sanganer, The printing village, 16 km from city, wholesale

How to check quality: Look for slight imperfections, that's hand printing. Machine prints are too perfect.

Blue Pottery

Persian-influenced ceramic craft unique to Jaipur. Turquoise blue, no clay, made from quartz.

What to buy:

• Decorative plates
• Tiles
• Vases
• Soap dishes

Where:

• Kripal Kumbh (Bani Park), workshop founded by the late Padma Shri Kripal Singh Shekhawat, who revived Jaipur blue pottery; now run by his family
• Blue Pottery Art Centre, Good selection
• Neerja International, Export quality

Leather Juttis

Traditional Rajasthani shoes with embroidery and embellishment.

Where:

• Nehru Bazaar (best selection, bargain hard)
• Mojari (modern interpretations)
• Bapu Bazaar

Tips: Get your size, they stretch. ₹300-2,000 depending on work.

Silver Jewellery

Jaipur is a major silver hub. Tribal-style, contemporary, and traditional designs.

Where:

• Johari Bazaar (bargain)
• Amrapali Museum Shop (upscale)
• Silver shops on MI Road

Tips: Silver should be stamped 925. Check weight. Bargain.

Lac Bangles

Traditional bangles in every colour, made by hand.

Where: Tripolia Bazaar (dozens of stalls)

Cost: ₹20-200 per bangle

Miniature Paintings

Traditional Rajasthani art on paper, silk, or old paper/stamps.

Where:

• City Palace area shops
• Art galleries on MI Road

Caution: Many are prints. Originals cost thousands. Ask for demonstrations.

Carpets and Durries

Hand-woven and hand-knotted rugs.

Where:

• Jaipur Rugs (ethical, high-quality)
• Various shops in Kishanpole Bazaar

Tips: Get a certificate of authenticity. Can be shipped.

Fixed-Price Shopping

Anokhi

Block-printed textiles and clothing. Beautiful designs, ethical production, premium prices. Flagship store and cafe at KK Square, Prithviraj Road (C-Scheme); also a shop at the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing in Amer (closed Mondays and 31 May to 15 July).

Fabindia

Pan-India chain. Textiles, clothing, home goods. Fixed prices. Branches in C-Scheme and Malviya Nagar.

Rajasthan Government Emporium (Rajasthali)

Authenticated handicrafts at fixed prices. Good baseline for comparing market prices. MI Road.

Amrapali

High-end tribal-inspired jewellery. Flagship at Panch Batti, MI Road; the Amrapali Museum (and its shop) is on Ashok Marg, C-Scheme.

Bargaining Tips

Where to Bargain

Yes: All old city bazaars, Bapu Bazaar, street vendors

No: Anokhi, Fabindia, government emporiums, malls

How to Bargain

1. Browse first, Know what you want, compare shops
2. Ask the price, Vendor quotes high
3. Show mild interest, Don't seem desperate
4. Counter at 40-50%, Lower than you'll pay
5. Negotiate up slowly, Meet in middle (60-70% of first price)
6. Walk away, Often triggers best price
7. Stay friendly, It's a game, not a fight

Sample Negotiations

Shopping by Area

Old City (Walled City)

All the bazaars are here. Walkable but chaotic. Best for traditional goods.

MI Road

Government emporium, Niros, established shops. More comfortable shopping experience.

C-Scheme / Civil Lines

Modern shops, boutiques, Anokhi, galleries. Air-conditioned options.

Sanganer (16 km)

Block-printing village. Wholesale prices, watch artisans work. Worth a half-day trip.

Scams to Avoid

Gem Resale Scam

Someone offers gems at "wholesale" to resell at home. The gems are worthless or vastly overpriced. Never buy gems for "investment."

Commission Shops

Auto drivers take you to shops where they earn commission. Prices are 30-50% higher. Choose your own destinations.

Fake Antiques

Most "antiques" are reproductions. Don't pay antique prices unless you're an expert.

Switched Items

Confirm the exact item being wrapped matches what you selected. Some shops switch quality.

Practical Tips

Best time: Morning (10 AM - 1 PM) or evening (5-8 PM). Midday is hot.

Closed: Many bazaars take a weekly day off, Sunday for most of the old city; check before planning a shopping day.

Payment: Cash preferred in bazaars. UPI accepted at many shops. Cards at established stores.

Shipping: Many shops ship internationally. Get proper documentation for customs.

Carry: Small notes (₹10, ₹20, ₹50) for easier bargaining.

For cultural experiences including craft workshops, see our activities guide.