Karnataka

Karnataka is heaven for shopaholic with lots of wealth of lots artifacts. Mysore silks, sandalwood crafts, metal ware products, bidri ware of Bidar, lacquer ware of Chennapatna etc. and more await shopping veterans who are ever-ready to splurge. One must not miss the following crafts while shopping in Karnataka:

• Bidri Ware: Originating in Bidar in North Karnataka, bidri ware articles involve the inlaying of gold or silver on a base of an alloy of zinc and copper. Bidri ware is used to embellish various objects, including platters, paan boxes, goblets, hookahs and trays. 

• Mysore Paintings: Traditional Mysore paintings are a mesmerizing spectacle with their bright vegetable dye colors and lustrous gold leaves. 

• Sandalwood: Sandalwood of Karnataka is famous for the extraordinary carvings on wood. The sandalwood products include idols of deities and finely wrought chariots to decorative pieces such as paper cutters, boxes, name cases, trays, photo frames, and combs. 

• Mysore Silks: Mysore is famous for its luxuriant silk sarees. These sarees enchant one and all with a riot of colors and traditional patterns woven in real gold threads and brocade. They are a must have on everyone's shopping list. 

• Metal Ware: Metal ware craft has taken distinctive forms in different regions of Karnataka. The temple town of Udupi is known for its mythological figures cast in metal, while household articles cast in bell metal are found in Mangalore. Nagamangala near Mysore is well known for its bronze objects.