SHOPPING
In order not to spend money, you do not need to, to shop in India you need to prepare and first visit a large state-owned department store to find out about prices in that country, and only then start wandering through the shops. Some Polish behaviors known from fairs and fairs help to survive the toughest moments in a clash with an efficient local trader. This is especially true of the ability to bargain and carefully look at the goods.
Two things are not allowed in India:
– buy anything from the original retailer, at the first stall encountered, in the first store,
– agree to deliver goods to Poland (you will meet with such a proposal for sure, when it comes to your mind, to buy a rug at a bargain price).
In the latter case, sellers provide, that the cost of delivery is included in the price, just like customs duties (!). Of course, none of these things. Tourists, who fell for these fairy tales, must pick up the goods from the airport or port in person, pay the duty (20% the value of the goods) and transportation (10% the value of the shipment). And if the goods are somewhat in the customs warehouses, then there will still be a tipping fee and it will soon be out, that it is the most expensive carpet in Poland.
Carpets
India produces and exports more handmade carpets than Iran, and their quality rivals the best Iranian products. In Kashmir, where the best Indian rugs are produced, to this day, technologies borrowed from the Persians are used. This art flourished during the reign of the Mughal dynasty. Many carpet manufacturers have sales outlets in Delhi, Calcium, Bombay, mattress. Persian patterns are used on carpets from Kashmir, and their dimensions are very diverse. They are made of pure wool, made of wool with a blend of silk, which gives them shine, or pure silk. The latter are rather for decorative purposes. For a good-quality carpet with dimensions 1,2 x 1,8 m you have to pay from 5000 to even 10 000 INR.
Great carpets are produced by the factories in Badhoj and Mirzapur in Uttar Pradeśu. Coarse woolen num-du rugs are also made in Kashmir and Rajasthan. Dhurras are popular around the Himalayas and in Uttar Pradesh, loom-woven cotton carpets.
The Kashmiri Gabba is a rug with applications. Weavers came to India with refugees from Tibet, who make the famous colorful Tibetan rugs and rugs. For a kilim with dimensions 1,5 x 1 m they demand approx. 1000 INR. For such purchases, it is best to go to Darjiling or Gangtok.
Tourists, who are not very knowledgeable about the prices and types of carpets, they should get advice from someone first, who knows a thing or two about it. It is worth checking the prices of Indian carpets in Poland before leaving, because sometimes you can buy them cheaper than from local retailers.
Paper- mache
Papier-mache products are inherently associated with Kashmir. Local craftsmen give the paper mass the right shape, and then they paint it and polish individual layers, until you get the pattern you want. The prices of these products vary depending on the decorative motifs and the amount of gold foil. This is how the dishes are made, cups, cups, jewelery boxes, paperweights, tables, lamps, trays and other items. A small bowl costs just 25 INR, and you can even pay for a larger product 1000 INR.
Pottery
In Rajasthan, very nice glazed vessels are made, hand painted with blue patterns, which attract attention with their simplicity and elegance. Terracotta statues of gods and children's toys are sold in Bihar.
Metal products
Copper and bronze products can be purchased almost everywhere in India, such as candlesticks, is silent, dishes, beer mugs with lid and ashtrays. In Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the bronze ornaments are inlaid with red, green and blue enamel, which creates beautiful patterns on their surface. Technique, in which the bronze is lined with silver, it is called bidri. In this way,. pipes called hookahs, lamps and jewelery boxes.
Jewelry
Hindu women enjoy wearing a variety of ornaments and jewelry, So there are shops here, offering jewelery. Tourists are especially eager to buy heavy ornaments made by craftsmen from Rajasthan, but also available in other regions of the country. Equally popular is even more ornate Tibetan jewelry.
In India, it is unlikely that you will be able to buy something exquisite and delicate. The notions of simplicity and elegance are alien to local jewelers, their products are full of ornaments.
Leather goods
Sandals are the most frequently purchased leather goods (ćapple), sold all over India. You can buy leather bags in shops in Delhi, suitcases and handbags. The shoes made in Kashmir are of a very high quality, but often leather clothes are also on sale, which is really not worth buying. The main center of the leather industry is Kanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh.