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So go ahead, shop to your heart’s delight and take home an exquisite, piece made in India, just for your paradise.
Delhi
Being the capital of this vast country, Delhi becomes a focal point for shopping. The most glamorous shopping area in the heart of the city is the Connaught Place, built during the British days, with a beautiful fountain and park in the centre. The entire Connaught Place is built in concentric circles. A pillared pathway runs along the outermost and innermost circles with convenient and ample parking spaces. Radial roads lead out of this centre point to all parts of Delhi. While shopping for the choicest Indian and foreign brands do walk into any of the immaculately designed restaurants or fast-food centres for a bite. Connaught Place is just a kilometre away from the railway station and is about 30 km from the airport.

Opposite the INA market at Laxmi Bai Nagar, Delhi Tourism runs an open-air handicraft market, Dilli Haat, in which craftsmen are invited from every state to sell their products directly. Stalls have also been provided for typical cuisine and fast-food from many states-all within one complex. The entire place has been given a brick finish. You could strike some good bargains here.

Towards the famous Ashok Hotel and Samrat Hotel in Chanakyapuri, after you cross the Prime Minister’s residence, on the left of a the Race Course road, is Santushti (meaning relief), the ideal shopping venue for the ethnic art lover. Intricately crafted woodwork, brasswares, terracotta, textiles, jewellery, clay toys and metalware can be purchased in this tiny arcade, for which you enter from the round-about inside the Air Force Station premises.

Inside the walled city there are some of the oldest market places of Delhi with some names related to the products they are still famous for, like the Chandni Chowk which was once named for its silver jewellery but is now the wholesale market for textiles, readymade, suitings, shirtings and sarees. While shopping one could feast on some of the most famous sweet shops and chat corners. Nai Sarak, running tangentially from here has emerged as the wholesale stationery and market for books, catering to all kinds of text and reference books prescribed in schools, colleges and institutes. Towards Chandni Chowk, however, the textile market begins. For all kinds of silver and precious & semi-precious stones walk into the narrow lanes of Kinari Bazar, also famous for glittering costumes of famous Indian mythological characters. Khari Baoli is the wholesale market for dry fruits and food grains, etc.

Towards west Delhi the most versatile markets are Karol Bagh and Rajouri Garden which are a striking mix of up-market as well as flea markets and are very crowded.

Another very unique feature of Delhi are its weekly bazaars which exist in almost all colonies selling all kinds of household items for its residents. Certain festival related bazaars are also fast gaining popularity mostly for pilgrim tourists and foreign tourists like at Suraj Kund (in Haryana) and the Hauz Khas village which is an artificially created village.

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Agra, the city of the magnificent Taj Mahal in the state of Uttar Pradesh is famous primarily for its marble and soft stone inlay work. Shilpgratam is a crafts village and an open-air emporium, stocking handicrafts from all over the country and is the ideal destination for lovers of Art.

Visit Agra during the Taj Mahotsav (festival) around February and enjoy live performances of dance & music by renowned artistes.

Also Sadar Bazar, Tajganj, Kinari Bazar, Munro Road, Pratap Pura, and Gwalior Road are  the main bazaars of Agra towards the south. It is advisable not to heed to the persuasions of tours at any of these markets. It is also adjoining the cantonment area, but slightly away from the main Agra railway station which is towards the north. Take with you some sweets which are rare in taste like the Petha and Gazak. Should you prefer some snacky item with a bit of spice ask for Dalmoth.

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Jaipur-the capital of the tourist favourite desert State of Rajasthan - has been a nucleus for tourist traffic in the state. It also houses one of the largest collection of handicrafts, which have been kept alive by its artisans. It has also picked up a major chunk of the export market in handicrafts, commanding virtual monopoly on the gemstone industry.

Within the walls of the Pink City (town area) market clusters are identified for distinct categories of products. Actually while going from Delhi you enter Jaipur through the Pink City. The layout of the Pink City is similar to the Indus Valley Civilization. All roads are parallel, while lanes are perpendicularly cutting across them. This walled Pink City enters modern Jaipur’s posh shopping mall called M.I. Road, about 300 mts. from the Railway Station. From the Airport, the road into Jaipur, meets M.I Road just 15 kms away, straight at Ajmeri Gate and runs along the four gates from where you can enter the Pink City.

Mirza Ismail Road has a glittering row of some of the most exclusive handicraft showrooms, curio shops, antiques, watches, textiles, electronics and internationally famous brands. During winters a 2 km long Tibetan Market sells winter wear from wind cheaters to socks made of leather, hide and wool.

Joharo Bazar is the wholesale market for silver, gemstones and jewellery. A large square (instead of a roundabout) called the Bari Choupar is famous for Jaipuri quilts, lac bangles, tribal jewellery, besides leather jutis (slippers) and readymade garments. To the left of Chaura Rasta is Kishanpole Bazar, famous for its wooden furniture. Further west of the Kishanpole Bazaar, a popular shopping area known as Khazane Walon Ka Rasta, where varieties of stone carved sculptures are on display and for sale.

From Ajmeri Gate, New Gate, Sanganeri Gate a narrow lane goes along the wall, parallel to M.I. Road whose name changes as it runs from Gate to Gate as Indira Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar & Bapu Bazaar.

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This is the principal city of the state of Gujarat (in western India), situated on the banks of the Sabarmati river and associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram. It is a centre for textiles, specially colourful patchwork and embroidery (bead and mirror work), tie and dye, Zari work on silk and Patola silks.

Ashram Road, about 10 kms from the Railway Station, houses most of the upmarket showrooms and arcades meant for tourists. Garvi and Gurjari the two multi-storied  government owned establishments, house the most genuine crafts carefully selected and displayed. Kala Niketan has an artistic and extensive collection of silks and textiles. For fine quality Zari work, Ratanpol Road would be ideal and is just 3 kms. away.

On Sundays, the banks of the Sabarmati river near Lakdi Ka Pul present a colourful spectacle as a large crowded flea market spreads over a few kms. along it. Be it fruits, vegetables, pins, needles, or even a car engine take your pick at your price.

The other bazaars and shopping areas include Manek Chowk, Relief Road Market, Lal Darwaza, Law Garden, C.G.Road and Kapasia Bazaar.

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Shopping in Mumbai will be a memorable experience as you wander through its Bazars with striking names like Chor Bazar, Mutton Street and Zaveri Bazar. At Chor Bazar you’ll find a phenomenal collection of antiques, jewellery, wooden articles, leather ware and general bric-a-brac.

Crawford market, famous for flowers, fruits, meat and dish, is certainly a place worth capturing on your camera. Zaveri Bazar offers an excellent range of jewellery items. For colourful and innovative carpets one should head for Mereweather Road behind the Taj Mahal Hotel. Here the range is extensive, exclusive and the prices slightly higher. To be on the safer side, one could, however, check at the Jammu and Kashmir Emporium first. Several state emporia in the World Trade Centre, at Cuffe Parade are an ideal place to buy a souvenir, a rare artefact or textiles. The Central Cottage Industries Emporium (Apollo Bunder) and Khadi Village Industries emporium (D.N. Road) with their fixed price tags, are genuine and of superb quality.

Colaba and Flora Fountain (Hutatama Chow) in the heart of South Mumbai and walking distance from Bombay VT and Churchgate railway stations are full of shopping of all kinds, mainly ethnic artefacts and departmental stores.

Walk into Fashion Street and shop for your new summer wardrobe. This street is close to the famous Metro Cinema and Dhobi Talao.

For those who look for the glamorous the ideal place to shell out some money would be Kemps Corner, Warden Road, Breach Candy and Napean Sea Road.

Bandra, the so called "Queen of Suburbs" is the residential abode of the who’s who of Mumbai--film stars, industrialists and the likes. Linking Road joins Bandra to Khar and is lined up on both sides with showrooms for the elite. But the striking contrast here is the pavement selling which adds to the thrill.

The famous essence and perfume industry in India has as its prime ingredient Itar. Although the Itar is now only concentrated towards Kanauj in U.P., right here in Mumbai you could get a sample of it the way it used to be. Yes, walk into famous Mohammed Ali Road and shop to your heart’s content for Itar, embroidery and Zari work, besides artefacts and souvenirs.

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Calcutta was the first British capital of India and now is the capital of the State of West Bengal. It also happens to be the only city where trams still ply through the overcrowded shopping lines. Like any other metro city, Calcutta also has several Govt. emporia and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium at 7 Chowringee Lane sells exquisite handicrafts from all States. Bargaining has no place here. However, a walk to New Market is an interesting experience. Here shopping requires a knack as the whole range of shopping revolves around hectic bargaining.

Calcutta has several other shopping centres like Bentinck Street, also popularly known as China Market with sweetmeat shops, leather shoes & accessories, and tailors & drapers.

Enter Garihat for a wide range of commodities, Jagannath Ghat at the flower market and Tirreta Bazzar for an extensive variety of ethnic goods.

Park Street is the place for the perfect executive-- the street with restaurants and pubs and glittering showrooms of the most reputed brands. You could leaf through journals and bestsellers at a well-stocked book shop. They call it College Street. 

New Market is, ironically one of the oldest markets of Calcutta, with everything under one roof, always alive and bustling out of its seams. The airport is not very far from the city (about 10 kms), but due to constant traffic jams you could take close to over 3 hours also.

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The popular garden city-Bangalore - is the capital of the state of Karnataka towards the south of India. It has a moderate climate -never too cold, never too hot. One of the fastest growing cities of the country, Bangalore has turned out to be the favourite destination for an executive to enjoy both business and pleasure, with its dazzling shopping plazas, complexes and arcades, mostly around M.G. Road, Brigade Road, Commercial Street and K.G. Road, where you may complement your shopping with a little entertainment as well.

Sandalwood and rosewood carvings, wood inlay-work, lacquer work, carpets and gorgeous silks are ideal to buy. Be careful while bargaining at these shops because their prices are generally listed if they are a famous brand.

For assured quality and genuine prices, it is best to buy at reputed and authorized showrooms based in main shopping areas. They include the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Shringar Mysore Silk Showroom, Kids Kemp, Poompuhar (Handicrafts), Cauvery Arts Emporium (Government showroom), Natesan’s (Handicrafts, Nalli Sarees (silks), Deepam Silks (Sarees), Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (Mysore Silks ), etc. where your children can find enough to entertain themselves with, instead of bothering you while you shop.

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Chennai has several emporia along the famous Mount Road (popularly referred to as Anna Salai), which runs north to south at a length of about 8 kms and offers a range of products, hotels, restaurants and a feast of glittering showrooms.

Previously known as Madras, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu which lies on the south eastern tip of India. Towards the east is the port, which opens out to the Bay of Bengal. The old city lies adjacent to the port and within a km. from the Railway Station. The residents of the old city are mostly Marwaris, originally from the State of Rajasthan, and Gujaratis, who are known to have trade in their blood. This part of the city therefore is also known as Sowcar Pet.

About 7 kms to the north west lies Anna Nagar, where the upmarket brands are available and no bargaining is necessary since all goods are sold as per the price lists of the manufacturers.

3 kms from the Station towards the west lies Egmore, an upcoming upmarket shopping area mostly housing shopping plazas and department stores.

Further down south, the Cathedral Road intersects Anna Salai at Gemini Circle, better known for its residents, who are none other than film stars or political bigwigs -- the elite, who demand nothing less than the best.

T. Nagar (Tyagaraja Nagar) is towards the south of Anna Salai and also has good showrooms where one could pick up some typical South Indian favourites like Kanchipuram silks, woodcrafts, etc.

Adyar is a suburban market area towards the southernmost part of Chennai, adjoining the IIT and CSIR campus.

Other areas like Vepery have mostly household items. Burma Bazar sells so-called imported items. Be careful what you pick up and at what price.

Indian handicrafts and bronze artefacts can be bought from the Govt. backed Victoria Technical Institute and the Poompuhar (a Government of Tamil Nadu Undertaking ), also at Anna Salai. The best of India’s silk comes from Kanchipuram, which is available at Mylapore, near the Kapaleshwar Temple, Panagal Park and Pondi Bazar at T.Nagar.

The Central Cottage Industries Emporium sells varieties of handicrafts from all over India.