Karnataka Shopping

With its shimmering silks, sandalwood and rosewood carvings and exquisite handicrafts, Karnataka is a shopper’s paradise. You can buy sandalwood sculptures, agarbattis (incense sticks), perfumes, sandalwood oil and other small gifts like pens, letter openers, metal lamps, wood carvings and inlay work. Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage is evident in every product made by skilled, dedicated artisans who are devoted to keeping their art alive.

Mysore Silks: Bangalore and Mysore are reputed for their shimmering silks. Woven in a unique assortment of rich colours, produced in a multitude of varieties and interwoven with delicate gold threads, Karnataka’s legendary silk sarees have become an integral part of the Kannada culture and tradition.
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Wood Carvings, Sandalwood Carvings: For hundreds of years, Karnataka has been the home of sandalwood. The range of products and designs is varied. The Gudigar families of Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and Mysore districts specialise in this craft. Shoppers can carry home beads, pendants, carved tables, screens, dinner gongs, boxes, caskets, mythological figures, a host of stationery items, trays, decorative panels with intricate scenes carved on them and even tiny bookmarks crafted from this delicately scented wood. Inlaid furniture and sandalwood carvings are a favourite with affluent tourists.



Rosewood Carvings:An ancient craft of Mysore that has found rich expression on the doors and ceilings of temples and monuments built under the patronage of various ruling dynasties.

Metalware: Metalware has evolved into a unique art form, both in the shape of metal casting as well as the embossing of designs on sheet metal. The temple town of Udupi is famous for its small images and ritual objects, while Karkala, an ancient Jain centre, is well known for its Jain icons. Household articles made of bell metal are commonly found in Mangalore; Nagamangala near Mysore is famous for bronze casting. The other centres of metal craft are Bangalore, Shivarapatna, Kundapur, Shravanabelagola and Bidar. Motifs are often taken from temple friezes. Images of gods and goddesses are amongst the more ornate metalware items available.

Mysore Paintings: Traditional Mysore paintings with their bright vegetable-dye colours and lustrous gold leaves are a connoisseur’s delight.

Bijapur Sarees, Jewellery and Handlooms: Handlooms from Guledgudda (Khancholi), handwoven Ilkal sarees, clay toys and Lambani jewellery are specialities of North Karnataka.

Gokak Toys: Bright, colourful replicas of vegetables and fruits, images of deities, cradles, toys, masks and palanquins are available at Gokak in Belgaum District. Exquisite pottery and gold and silver jewellery are also available.