7 Things Not To Miss When Shopping In Jaipur’s Nehru And Bapu Bazaar

June 26, 2018 AdminLeave a comment

The name of Rajasthan brings in our mind the rich culture, the vibrant and colorful attires, the magnificent and graceful handicrafts and so on. With time, a lot has changed; the land of culture has slightly moved towards westernization. But to keep the very soul of the Lands of Maharajas alive, we have its markets which never fail to slake our thirst for the true essence of Rajasthan.

Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar are two such markets of the Pink City, Jaipur. These markets (located within the walled city) are a perfect amalgamation of typical Rajasthani products and a slight touch of Indo-western. They are swathed in a cultural charm, and also offer numerous souvenirs to take for your kith and kin. These vibrant markets are always filled with shopaholics and are famous for offering you everything quintessentially Rajasthani.

We are giving you a list of things to check out at Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar.

Mojaris

Walking down the corridors of either of the markets, you will often stumble upon craftsmen with their dye covered hands, with somewhat eclectic and vintage footwear lined up by their side. There are several shops offering Rajasthani Mojari or Jutis, in these markets. The vibrant colors and traditional patterns often tempt people to buy a few pairs rather than just one. Among these, the shops that stand above the rest are Tourist Shoes and Famous Nagra Shoes.

Artificial jewellery

The bustling markets have an immense collection of artificial jewelry. Innumerable shops of both, Bapu Bazar and Nehru Bazar are lined up with ethnic neck pieces, jhumkis, lac bangles, anklets, sequined necklaces and what not. The finish of these pieces is so good that you can’t differentiate from the real. So, grab the best trinkets and accessories ASAP!

Clothes

Whatever you buy or leave behind, we believe picking a dress is essential if you are here. Highly alluring Rajasthani Bandhej or tie and die, Leheriya, Sanganeri Prints and Batik Prints with radiant mirror work, dazzling gota-patti work and intricate embroidery patterns are all enticingly displayed here. These shops are literally overflowing with breathtakingly beautiful prints of Jaipur, and chances are you will end up with your hands full of shopping bags by the time you decide to head home.

Jaipuri Razaiyan (quilts)

The Jaipuri quilts are made up of cotton fabric and are sown with a light thread. These razaiyan are exquisite with hand block prints and are light weight, comfortable and extremely efficient in keeping you warm on a cold winter night. Nowadays though, there are polyfibre razaiyans also, so better ask the shopkeeper so you know what you are getting. These quilts are amongst most popular choices that people take back as gifts for their loved ones.

Showpieces, decorative items and other handicrafts

Then there are these vendors throughout the markets who sell wares on the covered pavement. As you walk down, these small merchants call out and try to sell you mini- artefacts, baubles, hair accessories, artificial jewellery, lac pens, mirror worked pen stands, keychains, etc. And before you know it , you buy a few pieces, saying just because….

Puppets on a string

These are traditional Rajasthani art. There are a number of people selling puppets while simply strolling in the markets. These vibrantly colored puppets are also great takeaways for some people.

Flavors of food

The seemingly casual bazaar trip becomes a tad tiring what with all your shopping bags and gentle rumble in your stomach. There aren’t many eateries here, but there is mouth water-watering chat available at almost the end of the entire Bazar. You could dig into Faluda Kulfi at Indian Ice Cream and the super famous Guddu Ki Softy. On the other hand, if you are close to Link Road, the Cholle Wala Samosa is a must have treat.

One very pertinent tip about shopping in these markets is that you must bargain about the prices. Shopping here without bargaining is truly letting them fleece you completely.

The next time you are in Jaipur, we strongly recommend you to pay these markets a visit for some authentic Rajasthani stuff to take back home and flaunt.

Happy Shopping 🙂

Content and pictures by interns at Jaipur Beat.

Edited by team Jaipur Beat.

Celebrations · Food · Forts & Monuments · Jaipur · Jaipur Beat · Jaipur Lifestyle · markets of jaipur · World Happiness Day

10 Reasons Why Jaipur is the Happiest City in the World

March 20, 2018 AdminLeave a comment

Well, it might be a debatable topic to some, but writing from the perspective of someone who has spent an incessant amount of time in Jaipur is surely bound to fall in love with the mesmerizing Pink City.
The amazingness about Jaipur lies in its unique old world charm along with a twist of modernity. Jaipur is a city where both Moti Doongri Ganesh Temple and Gaurav Tower are equally lively in the evenings. It is the city, where the youth is reaching new heights every day and at the same time the older generation still wakes up before the sunrise to have a glimpse of the Mangla Aarti of Govind DevJi.

Today, on ‘World Happiness Day’, we are listing down 10 top reasons that make every Jaipurite happy and proud of!

1. Never Ending Festivities

Be it Diwali or Eid, Christmas or Mahavir Jayanti, Lohri or Chetichand, Sankranti or Gangaur we, Jaipurites always take time to enjoy all the festivals with our near and dear like it’s our own!

2. Street Shopping at Bapu Bazar and Johari Bazar

Flooded with fashionable Kolhapuris, colorful Lehariya, beautiful semi-precious jewellery and artifacts, Jaipur’s Bapu Bazar and Johari Bazar are rightly called shopper’s paradise. Unlike the shopping experience in metros, buying clothes and handicrafts in Pink City is quite an affordable and a great shopping experience.

3. Foodies’ Paradise

You’ll never feel starved when you are in Jaipur. From breakfast to dinner or even late night snacking, Jaipur offers you an array of food items like Rawat’s pyaaz ki kachori, Dal Bati Churma, spicy Lal Maas, and mouthwatering chaats. But to end everything on a sweet note we also have LMB’s famous rabri ghewar and even Pandit’s Matka kulfi.

ghewar 2

4. Lesser Honking horns

One fine day getting on the streets of Jaipur you might feel that there is no space to walk but we are far better than the hustle-bustle of the metropolitan cities even though we are surrounded by highly developed metropolis cities.

5. Jaipurites wear their culture on the sleeves

People think living in Rajasthan is living in an isolated barren desert which has nothing – no water, no liveliness. But we can prove you absolutely wrong. Jaipurites live a tradition, wear its clothes, eat its food, and speak its language. Being in Jaipur gives you an exotic taste of its Rajasthani culture. We bring color to lives by wearing bright, soothing, eye-appealing clothes.

Bandhej Odhani

6. Elephants in place of cars (is it still there?)

Awestruck! Yes, elephants seen on the streets of Jaipur are no new thing for us. The road is to them like it is to us. You feel like an ant when near it but you equally can be on top of the world when you are in Jaipur!

elephants-copy1

7. Be on the top of the world

We breathe fresh! We love to spend our weekends not lazing around in bed but getting up and climbing a mountain for a site worth seeing – Nahargarh or even sunrise at Jal Mahal.

JB 1

8. A sight to behold

Get up! Open your windows and what do you see – shout out loud ‘Aravallis’!

9. Strong Social Connections

Jaipurites are well known for their social and hospitable nature. We have an innate quality to help others in time of need and maintain a strong sense of connection. So, wherever you go if you find a Jaipurite, I assure you can blindly rely on him.

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10. Better work-life balance

We value everything that comes our way. We enjoy our work equally as we enjoy being with our friends and families. Who would want more than this?

In short, Jaipur feels like home! And home is always the happiest place on the earth!
Happy International Happiness Day!

Jaipur

This One Place In Jaipur Offers Wedding Shopping Without Burning A Hole In Your Pocket

December 2, 2017December 2, 2017 AdminLeave a comment

Sure everyone loves wedding, the whole idea of staying together, hanging out with family and distant relatives and eagerly waiting for those days to come. But the most difficult part comes when you have to boggle your head into what to wear and where to shop from. Jaipur Beat brings to you the most economical and feasible wedding shopping at Purohit Ji Ka Katla, where you will get the best of the variety and in trend clothes without making much of a hole in your pocket.

Purohit ji Ka Katla

Disclaimer: The lanes are very narrow, so carry only your purse and a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated.

Purohit Ji Ka Katla, has four main entrances, viz. Johari Bazar, Tripolia, Chandpol and Badi Chaupar. The best way is to take an e-rickshaw from your nearest stop, enjoy the beautiful city view and get dropped near Johari Bazar. Then as you enter the katla, you will see various shops of sarees and lehengas. All shops are unique and have reasonable bridal wear that is difficult to find in the city nowadays.

Narrow lanes of Purohitji Ka Katla

Lehengas

The most attractive bridal wear and lehengas which caught our sight were at Pushpa Sarees Centre- shop no.8. The bridal wear starts from 7k and reaches up to 22k, and we don’t think you can find any beautiful bridal wear at such a budgeted cost.

Pushpa Sarees Center- Shop No. 8

Sarees

After having a look at the lehanagas and bridal wear, we moved on to see the saree collection. The gorgeous georgette sarees with floral work and printed sarees were at display. If you are looking for a saree to wear in the next wedding to attend, definitely visit Kamal Sarees. Moreover, if you are looking for embroidery work you can have a look at Sri Radhe Krishna Saree, shop no. 9 which has its sarees starting from the range of 7k. Unbelievable, isn’t it?

Sarees

Bandhej

A bandhej lover and keenly exploring the best options for odhani, then do visit Parushotam Agarwal’s shop whose the lovely Rajasthani bandhani odhani costs barely Rs. 200/-

Bandhej Odhani

Noto Ki Mala

Going ahead, we stopped by looking at “noto ki mala”. Quiet an interesting concept of making a garland out of the real currency notes and it actually has a great selling market place. The garland of Rs. 10 was of Rs. 1000 and of Rs. 100 notes turned out to be of Rs.10k. Available at Shop no.16 at Agarwal Enterprises, this shop keeps all the varieties of malas that you are looking for.

Noto ki Mala

Safas (Turbans)

Right across this shop is Vishnu’s small safa shop, where grand variety of safa is available and you can choose your best pick starting from Rs.150.

Potlis & Jutiya

Walking a few steps ahead of this shop, you will find the best potlis and jutiyas at Nanuwalas. He has a great collection and the range is pretty realistic.

Bangles

After completing your clothing essentials for the wedding, you must be seeking out for matching jewellery to go with your dress. Purohit Ji Ka Katla is an all in one package. Going inside the narrow lanes, you will find Somani Collections, which has a huge collection of lac bangles, starting from the range of 100 and goes up till 7k. Surprising, but you will be able to find all your wedding essentials under one head.

Lac Bangles

Lac bangles with Gottapatti

Amidst these shops, we found one man selling his pieces of jewellery merely at the price of Rs. 100. Laxman, the owner has a small space where he puts his pieces on display and large crowds gather there to see his unique pieces.

As you exit from the party collection lanes, on your right side you will come across Mohit Bangles. The trendiest and the most economical bangles are available here. Definitely stop at this one.

Trendiest bangles Ghungroo bangles Gujarati style bangle

Hathphool

Looking for Hathphool to accessorize your wedding outfit? Walking a few steps ahead, you will hit upon this shop selling various designer jewellery and hathphool at the cost of Rs. 200.

Purohit Ji Ka Katla is a one stop shopping destination that has all your essential needs for the next wedding you are planning to attend!

Jaipur

25 Things That Prove You Are A True Jaipurite

September 19, 2014September 10, 2016 Admin77 Comments

Jaipur, also known as Pink city, is a city of culture, festivals, shopping, food, heritage etc etc. You might be living in Jaipur for years now, and there is a new place which comes up every day in this evolving world, but there are still some things which make you a die-hard Jaipurite and no matter what changes, these things might not change 😉

1. Picnic means Nahargarh

2. Every guest should be taken once to Chokhi Dhani

3. You have watched hundreds of movies with your family at Raj Mandir with a pyaaz ki kachori in interval

4. You park your vehicle outside a mall despite having an official parking area inside

5. You have negotiated and renegotiated on Link road

6. You have spent hours at Crossword without buying a single book

7. You have enjoyed your coffee at Statue Circle at night while your car is parked in the no parking area

8. Jewellery shopping = Johri Bazaar

9. Jog at Central park is followed by a facebook post bragging about the same

10. The only Aunty you can bear is this one.

11. You have gotten your picture clicked outside World Trade Park

12. The wait for your turn at Sanjay Omelette is always worth it

13. No hanging out spot can beat Gaurav Towers

14. Got stuck in the traffic jam at Khasa Kothi too many times

15. You take everyone who’s new in town to have Lassi at Lassiwala

16. You have attended unlimited Goth at Khole Ke Hanumaan Ji

17. While eating Dal Baati Churma, you forget the meaning of the word ‘calories’

18. You know that Hawa Mahal is the Taj Mahal of Jaipur

19. Saras Sankul is the favourite night spot

20. Malls are the sightseeing spots, shopping bole to Walled City

21. JLN is equivalent to Formula 1 race track

22. Pandit means Pav Bhaji joint

23. Pyaaz and Mirchi is meant for Pyaaz ki Kachori and Mirchi Bada

24. You are used to seeing an elephant block your way on a main road

25. You atleast have one thing in your wardrobe with bandhej and leheriya work

Jaipur Fashion · Style file

The magic of tie-and-dye

July 9, 2012 AdminLeave a comment

What do you imagine when you hear the words “tie and dye”?

-A women clad in embellished tie-and-dye saree with ornaments adorning her beauty, or

-A college girl adding a tie-and-dye scarf to take a break from her Plain-Jane look?

Well, you are not alone. “Tie-and-dye” is an inseparable part of Rajasthani culture. It has been around for centuries. Bandhej, Leheriya and Batik are the most popularly used forms of tie-and-dye that originated from this desert land.

People are drawn to tie dye as it is youthful, fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Tie and dye patterns have a certain exotic appeal to them. The beautiful art of tie and dye has made a sexy comeback. Of late, they have made their way to western wear and contemporary silhouettes. Their texture generates a liberated feel that makes them apt for glam resort or club wear for which they are being used lately.

With new experiments in fabric and color patterns, tie and dye has become a must-have in every wardrobe. There are as many ways to use tie-and-dye prints as you can think.

For a traditional look, wear a lightly embellished tie-and-dye lehenga with a blouse(choli) in solid colour and top it with a statement jewellery.

For a fun addition to your college dress, pair a tie-and-dye tee-shirt or tunic with your denims and you’re cool to go.

If you want to wear tie-and-dye but your office dress-code restricts it or you are too afraid to experiment, try adding it as a part of accessories like a scarf or a tote or wedges.

Tie-and-dye can be also worn as a stand- alone dress. Maxi gowns in tie-and-dye patterns are gaining popularity as resort wear.

It is a trend that has been a part of our culture, and now has set itself on runways of Paris and Milan alike. Try it out this spring!