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.

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 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.

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.

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, Kinnala Paintings, 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.

BIDAR BIDRIWARE

Bidar in North Karnataka is a famous centre for Bidriware, a well-developed craft that involves the use of metal plate on an alloy made of zinc, copper, tin, and lead. Finely crafted hookahs, goblets, paan boxes, bowls, plates, pen holders, letter openers, and bangles exquisitely embellished with interwoven vines and floral patterns are a treat to the eye. The effect of the delicate silver filigree against the metallic ebony background is striking.

EMBROIDERY
Kasuti, a form of embroidery practised especially in Dharwad and Hubli districts, is known for its intricate and stunning workmanship. Four kinds of stitches are commonly used in Kasuti, and the designs are many and intricate. They are influenced by the architectural patterns of temples and are symbolic of rituals and life around temples. The other style of embroidery is the Banjara style, popularised in Sandur.

POTTERY
 

Ramanagaram, near Bangalore and Belgaum district, is Karnataka’s traditional centre for terracotta, specialising primarily in the production of utility objects with a strong artistic touch. Pots of different sizes and shapes, wall panels, folk images of gods and goddesses, and animal motifs are very popular with visitors.

NORTH KARNATAKA CRAFTS
Cushion covers, bedspreads, quilts, dinner mats, and bags; accessories such as spectacle cases, pouches and purses; traditional garments; ornaments made from dyed and block printed fabric; mirrors, beads, and traditional jewellery; and Lambani crafts can be found in Bijapur, Sandur, and Gulbarga in North Karnataka.

CHANNAPATNA LACQUERWARE
Channapatna, a small hamlet 46km from Bangalore on the Mysore highway, excels in lacquerware, a craft practised today by over 3000 local craftspersons. Lacquerware products include brightly coloured wooden toys, door curtains, powder boxes, and napkin rings, besides a range of distinctive jewellery.

MADIKERI HONEY
 

Karnataka’s finest honey comes from Bhagamandala, 30km from Madikeri, where some of Kodagu’s best apiaries are located. Virajpet is also known for its honey.