Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is popular for the royalty of Indian history and heritage. Established in the twelfth century, the World Heritage Site attracts people to its desert festivals, museums, palaces and Jain temples. Jaisalmer Fort, Gadsisar Lake, Patwonki Haveli, Khaba Fort, sand dunes and the India-Pakistan border are the major places to include in your Jaisalmer itinerary.
Apart from these tourist places, shopping in Jaisalmer is also a major attraction for the people at this place. In this city, you will find a maze of markets to explore. To make your shopping experience amazing, we have compiled a list of markets that you must visit on your Jaisalmer trip.
What are the top things to do shopping in Jaisalmer?
Your visit to Jaisalmer is not complete without visiting the charming market streets and shopping places in Jaisalmer. The city offers the most lucrative retail therapy with a wide assortment of items and colours. Let us know what is the speciality of Jaisalmer.
Mirror work embroidery
Jaisalmer is known for its mirror work products which include cushion covers, quilts, banjara bags, wall hangings, kantha quilts and bed covers. All these items are designed to be elegant, sturdy inbuilt, light in weight and fade-proof.
Camel Leather Products
Jaisalmer is famous for products made from camel skin. A variety of products made from camel skin can be found here. These are bags, purses, clogs, files, phone covers, jackets, hats, diaries, decorative saddles, key chains and a camel leather-based water bottle called a “kopi”.
Jewellery
Jaisalmer is a hub of intricate silver and gold jewellery. Elaborate Rajasthani jewellery like earrings, necklaces, anklets and bracelets. The speciality of these ornaments is that they are hand cut and polished from stones.
Gift Items
Jaisalmer is also popular for its brassware, shawls, carpets, carved wooden boxes, rugs, lamps, antiques and trinkets. These are all worth buying in this city.
Yellow Sandstone Items
Jaisalmer is famous for the yellow limestone, which is found in the vicinity of the city. It is light yellow, almost like gold in appearance and that is why all the items made from it look very attractive. In fact, it was the catalyst that helped Detective Prodosh Mitra solve his very famous case in Satyajit Ray’s film, Golden Fort. The items make great gift items and adornments for your home.
Souvenirs
You will have no shortage of items to buy in Jaisalmer to take back home with you. Rugs, rugs, handcrafted jewellery, household knickknacks, traditional paintings with natural colours, pottery and bowls, stone-carved idols, clogs and dupattas- name it and you will find them in the city and at really affordable rates too. In fact, it is quite a thrill to wander through different markets in search of what you are looking for.
Top Shopping Places in Jaisalmer
Pansari Bazaar
If you are looking for traditional ethnic items, then you must head to the oldest streets of Jaisalmer is Pansari Bazaar. This place is also known as Villagers’ Market. Here you will find a variety of shops selling home decor items, puppets, traditional clothing items and handicrafts. Pansari Bazar remains open between 10.00 AM to 6 PM
Bhatia Bazar
This market has a wide variety of shops that sell mirror embroidery, woodwork, decorative pieces and dress materials. Bhatia Bazar is the best place to see the beauty of Rajasthan. This market is situated at a central location in the city of Jaisalmer. Being one of the ancient markets of Jaisalmer, it is also a popular shopping destination in Jaisalmer for tourists. Bhatia Bazar is widely visited for its souvenirs, sarees and silk items. It is open between 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Manak Chowk
Situated on the Amar Sagar Pol, Manak Chowk is known for its textiles and ethnic jewellery stores. Although it now seems like a regular market, it was a very important centre of commerce during the medieval period. The skilled craftsmen of Jaisalmer still do business here and there are also some family-owned shops whose ancestors once served the Ranas and their families. Apart from the items sold here, the market is also a must-visit for its heritage. Manak Chowk is a very famous shopping place in Jaisalmer. The shops are open from 10 am to 8 pm.
Sonaro Ka Bas
It literally means the village of goldsmiths, this village is where all the work of making and selling jewellery takes place. For obvious reasons, this centre is very crowded during festivals like Navratri and Diwali and during festive occasions, women and even men adorn themselves with all kinds of ornaments. You will find craftsmen selling exquisite silver jewellery and jewellery studded with semi-precious stones. The shops here are open from 9 am to 9 pm.
Sadar Bazar
Sadar Bazar is also counted among the major markets of Jaisalmer. Here, you will find a huge range of products which includes dupattas, jewellery, shawls, carpets, paintings and specially made of leather. Sadar Bazar remains open between 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Seema Village
Seema Village is another favourite spot amongst shopaholics. It is a perfect place to buy dupattas, trinkets and scarves at very reasonable rates. Seema Gram Bazar is situated at Amar Sagar Pol. Another popular market in the form of Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan is located close to it and also the best place for shopping in Jaisalmer. The timing of this market is between 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Other shopping centres to explore are Khadi Village Industries Emporium, Gandhi Darshan, Rajasthani and Zilla Khadi Gramodyan Parishad.
Light of the East
Situated near a Jain temple, this is a truly unique store that is famous for selling all kinds of chandeliers and crystals. Incorporating these into your home decor will brighten up your room like anything else. This store is especially popular among foreign tourists who like to buy exotic crystals here. Here you will also find Onyx, Sandstone, Jasper, Quartz and Aquamarine. A precious piece of Apophyllite is kept in a store that is not for sale.
Jaisalmer will prove to be quite a treasure trove when it comes to shopping in Jaisalmer and you are sure to burst your bags. If you are planning a trip to this city, then must-visit places in Jaisalmer to experience this city. Visiting the markets will also give you a glimpse into the daily life of the people and you are sure to have an amazing experience here.
