Bhubaneswar, the ‘Temple City of India’, is not only known for its magnificent places of worship. Rather, it is also a shopping lover’s delight. You don’t need to worry about ‘where to shop’ at all. There are innumerable shopping places in the city; of which some are run by private owners, while others are Government-owned. For those who are fond of traditional fabrics, Bhubaneshwar is just the place to shop. The city is well known for its Ikat fabrics, which are extensively used in making Saris as well as other readymade garments.
Appliqué work of Bhubaneswar, locally called Chandua, is in great demand these days. Other best buys include Tussar silk, Sambalpuri silk and Cotton. Apart from the fabrics, there is also a wide variety of metal ware available in the city. It mainly consists of exquisite pieces of jewelry made from fine silver and distinctive kinds of metal sculptures, known as Dhokra. Other interesting items available in Bhubaneshwar include handcrafted wooden items, like lampshades, vanity boxes, vegetable baskets, etc.
Even the stone sculptures of Gods and Goddesses made in the city are selling like hot cakes in the market. Bhubaneswar is also well known for its paintings. Some of the popular paintings are Patachitra, paintings made on palm leaf, and Ganjapas. One can easily find seashells in the coastal city of Bhubaneshwar. Available in different shapes and sizes, they are used on a number of items like lampshades, fruit baskets, purses, mirrors, jewelry boxes, trays, etc and are a favorite amongst tourists.
Shopping in Bhubaneshwar will be a fascinating experience for a tourist looking for traditional fabrics and curios. One can find many shops in Bhubaneshwar, both privately run ones and the government run Utkalika, from where you buy souvenirs, which are typical of the state of Orissa.
Bhubaneshwar is famous for woven ikat fabrics, which can be purchased as readymade garments, fabric and saris. Appliqué worked fabric locally known, as Chandua is a typical Orissa handiwork. Sambalpuri silk and cotton, tussar silk and gold embroidery are other items in fabrics that you will find while shopping in Bhubaneshwar.
While shopping in Bhubaneshwar, you will be dazzled by the array of metal ware-silver filigree jewellery or tarakash, unique metal sculptures and figurines known as dhokra. Bhubaneswar is also known for its exquisite woodwork items like lampshades, fruitbaskets and jewellery boxes. Stone sculptures of gods and goddesses are also interesting buys from your travel to Bhubaneshwar.
Shopping in Bhubaneshwar will be a delight for an art collector because Orissa is famous for its traditional paintings like the patachitra, ganjapas and paintings on palm leaf done with etching. In Bhubaneshwar, one can also find seashells of all shapes. This coastal city specializes in decorative and utility items from seashells like mirrors, lampshades, tabletops, purses, jewelry boxes, fruit baskets and trays.