The most central of the government-run handicraft centres is the Cottage Industries Emporium on Janpath, which is well stocked with leather, textiles, jewellery, silks, cotton and saris. On Baba Kharak Sing Marg, the Himachal Pradesh Emporium has soft blankets and shawls in wool, cashmere or pashmina; the Poompahar Emporium stocks the region's glazed Thanjuver pottery and traditional stone carvings of gods and goddesses; and the Uttar Pradesh Emporium specialises in leather goods and copper and brass items.

Located in south Delhi, Hauz Khas Village is a centralised collection of furniture shops and bazaars including the favourite of Delhi 'It' girls, Ogaan Boutique, which sells designer Indian clothes made of the finest raw plain silks, chiffons and organza. Aavaram, on the edge of the village, stocks furniture from Gujurat, Rajasthan and the south, as well as a good selection of smaller spice boxes. All the carpets at Saga, on Mathura Road, come with a Central Silk Board guarantee. Similarly, Barakhamba Gallery, on Barakhamba Road, and June 1st, at New Friends Colony, offer high-quality goods and service.  Delhi's markets come crammed with goods, people and smells. The magnificent bazaars of Chandni Chowk are piled high with gold, nuts, spices, silks, carpets and perfume, while Sunder Nagar Market, off Mathura Road, is filled with antiques and second-hand goods spilling out of the shops and stalls and onto the pavement. One of Delhi's most prestigious markets, and a regular haunt of the city's ex-pats, is Khan Market, just south of India Gate.  

Crawford market, famous for flowers, fruits, meat and fish, is certainly place worth capturing on your camera. Zaveri Bazar offers excellent range of jewellery items. For colourful and innovative carpets one should head for Mereweather Road behind 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 souvenir, a rare artifact 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.

Apart from all this, one can find Indian, western and fusion clothes by the best of Indian designers at various exclusive boutiques such as Melange, Ensemble and Sheetal Design Studio. Designers can be met by prior appointment. Crossroads at Tardeo is a good place to find various avant garde labels. Book lovers can find solace in the vast shelves of crossword at Mahalaxmi, Strand at P.M. Road, or Nalanda at the Taj Mahal Hotel. The extensive shopping arcade at the Oberoi at Nariman Point offers some exquisite choices in fashion accessories, leather goods, antique jewellery, furnishing fabrics, designer clothes and scarves, artifacts, pashmina shawls etc.

Agra is also known for its fabulous handicrafts such as Marble and soft stone inlay work, gold thread embroidery (zari and zardozi), metalware, exquisite hand –knotted silk and woollen carpets and leather goods including bags, shoes and clothing The Mughals were great patrons of arts and crafts. Empress Nur Jahan took personal interest and was an accomplished artist herself in zari embroidery work. Semi-precious and precious jewelry in Mughal style is also available. Agra is also well known for its sweets 'petha' and 'Gazak' and saltish snack 'Dalmoth. The main shopping areas of the city are Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sanjay Place and the Taj Mahal Complex. Shopping is recommended at the Govt. Emporia or Souvenir Shops approved by U.P Tourism.

Udaipur is a Shoppers Paradise for Art Lovers. Paintings, Miniatures, Contemporary Art, Marble Handicrafts, Metal Furniture, Jewellery, Fabric, Carpets & Rugs and much more awaits your arrival. Udaipur has both traditional and modern shopping areas. It is known for leather products, jewellery, rug weaving and marble work. You also find Art Galleries in Udaipur A captivating collection of exquisite dainty folk toys, brightly coloured garments, hand printed textiles, batiks and tie & dye sarees and fabrics can be bought here. Craftsmanship at its best can be seen in the rustic and chunky silver jewellery and wooden toys. The animated colours and themes painted on the pichwais or the wall hanging are world renowned. There are numerous small and big shops offering all the above, the main shopping places being  Rajasthan Government Handicraft emporium - a shoper's delight, Chetak Circle, Bapu Bazar, Chetak Circle, Hathipole and Lake Palace Road.

Shopping is a delightful experience in Bangalore. You'll find some of the most exquisite silks here. You can also take home handicrafts in sandalwood and rose wood, available in state-owned emporia and private stores. For gold and jewellery, you can visit the quaint Jeweller's Street. Some of the favourite shopping haunts are M.G.Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road and Commercial Street. Bargain hunters tend to favour K.G.Road, Malleswaram and Shivajinagar. The main shopping areas of Bangalore are:M.G.Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road and Commercial Street.

Some of the popular Shopping Centres at Bangalore are: Public Utility Building and Shrungar Shopping Centre (M.G.Road), Unity Building (J.C.Rd), Pinto Towers (Residency Rd), Curzon Complex, St.Patricks Complex,Mota Chambers & 5th Avenue (Brigade Rd.), Safina Plaza and Copper Arch (Infantry Rd.), Sophia's Choice (St.Mark's Rd.) 

Shopping in Hyderabad

Cultured pearls in gold and silver jewellery are Hyderabad's speciality. The rice-pearl, a tiny variety of pearl, lends itself to exquisite designs. The precious Basra, a pearl unmatched in lustre, color and price is also available.

Bidriware, is the most well-known of Andhra's handicrafts. Black metal inlaid with silver is the local speciality. Glass and studded bangles of bidri are a favorite with women. Typical bidri items include plates, bowls, vases, ashtrays, trinket boxes, huqqa bases, jewellery. The markets around Charminar are favoured for bangles and pearls. Bronze casting is another speciality. The beauty and grandeur of the realistic bronze castings are treasured items of those who buy it.  Hyderabad is also the place for a variety of thin and delicately worked silver jewelry and the delicate craftsmanship is the hallmark of silver filigree work here. Intricately twisted strands of silver are braided together, hammered out into a gentle latticework of frail artistic grandeur. Typical filigree work can be found in key chains, boxes, trays, etc. Mirror work: With just a thread and needle, the tribal Banjara women transforms any ordinary cloth into a colorful piece of art. The distinctive feature of Banjara designs is the extensive use of mirrors. Typical items include cushion covers, bags, shirts, kurtas, bedspreads etc. Ikat weaving: Ikat is one of the most unique of Andhra's handloom heritage, a craft that survives even today. Typical items include sarees, blankets, mats, carpets, coasters, fancy bags etc.  For food stuff and dry fruits, Begum Bazar in Alfganj is very famous. Majemjahi market is the whole sale market for flowers and fruits. The Andhra Pradesh cooperative store, APCO is located at Abids. The best place to buy handicrafts is Kalanjali on Nampally High Road.

Shopping in Cochin

Among Kochi's best buy are metalware, camel-bone carvings, wood carvings, articles made of coconut shels, baboo cane, embroidered screwpine mats; grass mats; and several other types of handicrafts. Kochi also has several antique dealers. Jewellery, readymade garments, and ethnic hand-woven textiles follow closely. The major shopping centres are on M.G.Road which cuts across the heart of the city, and the Marine Drive including Broadway. Shops open at 10 a.m. and close around 8 p.m. Generally all shops remain close on Sundays. Shopping Centres: M.G.Road, Broadway, Marine Drive, Government emporium: Kerala State Handicraft Apex Society, M.G.Road,  Kerala State Handicrafts Development Corporation (Kairali) M.G.Road, Khadi Gramaudyog Bhavan, M.G.Road, Eranakulam, Jew Town, Broadway, Eranakulam Market, spices Board, N.H.Bye Pass.

Shopping in Goa

Since Goa is a major tourist destination, it has shops selling just about everything from all over India. If you'd like to take back something "local", though, try the port wine, cashew feni and cashewnuts. Check out the famous Wednesday flea market at Anjuna Beach. Or pick up some designerwear by Wendell Rodricks from his well-appointed boutique on Rue de Ourim, Panaji.

Colourful sarongs and cotton beachwear, embroidered bags, handicrafts made of beads, cheap but beautiful artefacts of paper mache and silver and oxidised jewellery are also widely sold. The Friday Bazaar at Mapusa is where you can strike some great bargains and pick up stuff at dirt cheap prices. There are several Night Bazaars around Goa which attract tourists and locals alike. Apart from selling all kinds of wares here, they have little stalls selling various types of cuisines and sometimes even have a great Latino band to lift up your spirits.