12 Best Things to Buy in India for a Useful Souvenir

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This list of the best things to buy in India will help you skip the cheap souvenirs and instead find a quality keepsake for you to remember your trip to India for years to come.

When I’m out traveling, I love finding a special momento unique to each place that’ll stand the test of time. Who wants a cheap souvenir that’s the same as everywhere else and will eventually end up in the trash?

During my two months in India, I was able to find some truly incredible souvenirs that were so much more than typical knick knacks. And I really appreciated that many of best souvenirs from India are actually practical goods that serve a useful purpose. 

Depending on where you’re traveling, you’ll actually find unique things to buy in India that’s special to each region. From embroidered and intricately detailed textiles in Rajasthan, yak woolen goods in the north, and backpacker jewelry and clothing in the south, there’s a lot of cool things to buy in India!

Read More: A Detailed Packing List for India For Backpackers

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12 Best Things to Buy in India that Are Actually Useful

Below I share a list of the items I found for sale during my trip to India as well as a very rough guide as to where you can find them.

1. Pashminas and scarves. 

Where to buy scarves in India: Goa, Rajasthan, Kashmir, everywhere.

India is the home of the pashmina, a scarf made from special wool that comes from cashmere goats in the Indian northern state of Kashmir. Pashminas are highly valued for their quality and workmanship, but are quite expensive. Polyester / cotton scarves mimicking the style and designs of pashminas are also one of the most common things to buy in India. 

If you’re set on purchasing an authentic pashmina, there are a few ways you can certify authenticity:

• If it’s cheap and casually found in a shop next to many vendors selling the same thing, it’s probably fake. A ‘knock off’ (but perfectly acceptable scarf! I have one) should run you about 300 – 400 rupees ($4 – $5 USD) per scarf. Don’t pay more than that. An authentic scarf will probably run you about 1,200 + rupees. Maybe even upwards of 3,000 ($40+ USD).
• Real pashminas are often only single sided by design because they are usually stitched by hand and not machine.
• The burn test: you can ask the vendor to burn a very small single fiber from the piece and if it smells like plastic, it’s fake. If it smells like burning hair, the material is authentic wool.
• Look up reputable shops before arriving. 

Read More: 29 India Travel Tips for Backpackers

2. Rajasthani miniature paintings. 

Where to buy Indian miniature paintings: Rajasthan.

When I travel I love buying small pieces of art to bring home with me for my home. Imagine my excitement when I arrived in Rajasthan and found that one of the best things to buy in Rajasthan was a miniature painting!

These miniature paintings were made popular by the old Rajasthani royal courts and have been a tradition for hundreds of years. Miniature paintings typically depicting the local landscapes, landmarks, animals and historical scenes. They are also created using extremely fine brushes and only natural resources to create their ‘paint’ colors. 

The royal painting at Jaipur’s City Palace showed us how he uses a natural powders (from indigo and stones) mixed with water to make paint. It was really quite impressive.

Don’t actually buy the art at the palaces though, as they will be overpriced. Instead, check out local paint shops in town. I had a lot of fun sitting in a local shop, chatting with the local artist while going through his pieces. I picked up a small piece of painted silk about 2 inches x 7 inches for 800 rupees or about $11 USD.

3. Embroidered textiles, bags and rugs.

Where to buy Indian textiles: Rajasthan, most places. 

India, and especially Rajasthan, is world famous for their beautifully intricate and often handstitched textiles. The designs are super bold, colorful and incorporate mirrors, sequence, beading and unique patterns. They are so unique and gorgeous, they often catch the eye of high-end designers looking for inspiration or a pop of color in their own designs.

If this sounds like the perfect souvenir for you, come expecting to fall in love with all shapes and sizes of embroidered bags, scarves, large swatches of fabric, wall hangings and rugs. Don’t forget to leave enough space in your bag for these large works of art!

Read More: An Ultimate Guide for Backpacking India on a Budget

4. Made in India clothing. 

Where to buy clothing in India: Goa, Rajasthan, Everywhere. 

As is common with a lot of places in South East Asia and Asia in general, there is an abundance of ‘backpacker’ clothing on the cheap. Think bohemian inspired styles, light cotton pants, linen tunic tops for men and women, and more. When packing for your trip, come with some space to plump up your wardrobe. 

Try to avoid shopping in the super duper tourist places like Jaipur and Agra as their prices are ridiculously overpriced. Instead look to Goa, Pushkar, Rajasthan in general and even Delhi in the more local areas for cheap and cute clothing.

5. Jewelry. 

Where to buy jewelry in India: Goa, Rajasthan, major cities, the north.

Same with the backpacker clothing above, you can find really unique and handcrafted jewelry in Goa, Rajasthan and most major areas. The jewelry is often very uniquely designed with elaborate patterns, metal bent into various filigrees, gemstones, tassels, and anything else that falls under the bohemian umbrella. India is also famous for their bright and fairly affordable yellow gold.

I picked up a pure gold nose ring at a local market in Bundi with the help of some local girls I befriended for 650 rupees. In another shop in Manali, I fell in love with a very cute brass ring for only 250 rupees. Small little pieces that you can use on the daily!

6. Spices and tea.

Where to buy Indian spices and teas: Everywhere.

If you’re not well acquainted with Indian food, prepare yourself for an explosion flavors and spices. Indians pride themselves on their ‘spicy’ food – not hot, but herbs and spices – and these said spices are another of the best things to buy in India. Pick up freshly ground cumin, coriander, ginger, mustard seed, cardamom, garam masala and more.

And don’t forget to pick up local Indian tea, pre-mixed chai especially! A day in India is not complete without at least five+ cups of chai, I kid you not. You will fall in love with this cultural habit while you’re there, trust me.

7. Camel leather bags.

Where to buy camel leather bags in India: Rajasthan and the north. 

Another very common item I saw being sold on the streets of Rajasthan and northern India, were hand crafted leather bags. India is a predominantly Hindu, vegetarian culture that regards cows as holy. Imagine my shock seeing storefronts filled to the brim with leather bags!

Intrigued, I asked a local shop owner what the deal was. He explained that most leather goods in India are made from camel leather, and they are ethically made only from camels who have died of natural causes. Now obviously I can’t verify his claims, but seeing the way Indians regard living creatures, their superstitious nature AND their 200% belief in karma, I’m inclined to believe him.

The leather bags in Rajasthan were usually plain and fairly untreated leather. The father north we got, the more embroidery we saw on the bags. Different styles and looks, but all cute nonetheless.

Read More: An Ultimate Guide for Backpacking India on a Budget

8. Footwear and sandals.

Where to buy cute footwear in India: Everywhere.

India is the land of beautiful embroidered textiles, leather goods and crafts, so of course this translates well into beautifully handcrafted footwear. Some of the most common styles you can find are leather genie looking slip-ons, loafers, and handmade sandals.

They were honestly so cute. They had muted leather styles all the way to bright and colorful pom pom covered gladiators. Sadly, my feet were usually too big for the cutesy women’s styles, so please go to India and pick up a cute pair for yourself on my behalf.

9. Yak wool goods. 

Where to buy Indian yak wool textiles: The north; Manali, Kasol, Rishikesh etc. 

The farther north you travel in India, the woolier the items you can find for sale. Northern India is at a high altitude in the Himalayas and can get pretty chilly. Locals rely on the fuzzy wool of yaks to create warm and thick clothing.  As with everything else in India, the wool shawls, scarves, sweaters, and pants they make are colorful and presented in fun patterns! 

These items are crazy thick and warm, and a great souvenir to take home for my fellow sweater, cozy lovin’ friends.

10. Hemp clothing/goods. 

Where to buy hemp clothing in India: The north; Manali, Kasol, Rishikesh etc.

Not only can you find vast amounts of wooly items in northern India, but also everything hemp, If you’re a hippie at heart and love a good hemp poncho or pant, get excited for hemp in Manali, Kasol, Rishikesh and more. 

Read More: 27 Best Places to Visit in India for a Wonderful Adventure

11. Ayurvedic services and homeopathic goods.

Where to buy Ayurvedic goods in India: Everywhere.

Known in India as Ayurveda, the homeopathic medical traditions of India are ancient and still prevalent today, especially among poorer and more isolated villages in the country. You can find about as many ayurvedic clinics as you can of western medicine.

Come with an open mind and consider trying out a few of the ayurvedic services and goods. They have massages, consultations, creams, teas, herbal anything and everything. I don’t recommend relying on these for severe medical conditions obviously, but a lot of people swear by a few of their natural goods.

One particular item I can recommend is the cream Kailas Jeevan. Touted online as a ‘miracle cream’, this all-natural product claims to alleviate so many different medical conditions; indigestion, hemorrhoid discomfort, bug bites, itchy or chafed skin, acne, headaches – like everything. It’s cool because it’s natural enough to eat as well.

Now I can’t confirm how well it works for the internal things, but every time I’ve had skin discomfort from the sun, chafing, bug bites, or severe dry skin, this cream has actually come through for me. And it’s hella cheap in India.

12. Natural hygiene and skincare products.

Where to buy natural made in India products: Everywhere.

After living in Korea for two years, the land of k-beauty, I’ve become a bit of a skincare snob. I was pleasantly surprised to find that India has its own style of great and usually natural/organic hygiene and skincare products. Some of the best brands to pick up are Biunique, The Himalayas and Organic India.

They sell everything from lotion, lip balm, shampoo and conditioner, the freshest smelling bar soaps and more. If you’re looking for some of the loveliest smelling goods to pamper yourself and love all-natural products, check out these brands!

Shopping in India was a blast. Haggling is alive and well, prices are good and storekeepers are a hoot to chat with. What are your favorite things to buy in India? Share below!