Shopping in Kashmir, Carpets, Papier Machie, Shawls, Walnut wood, Kashmiri Sari, Cricket Bats, Saffron and more.

Shopping in Kashmir.

Shopping in Kashmir usually brings about thoughts of Handicrafts like Carpets, Shawls, Paper Machie etc, but there is a lot more besides this. Depending on the quality of purchase, you can either pay Rs.10 to Rs.10 Lakhs. Qualities in Kashmir exist side by side to suit all tastes and pockets.

Kashmiri Carpets:

Kashmir is world famous for its carpets which are exported to all parts of the Globe. The Kashmiri Carpets are known for their Quality, Unique Design work, Durability and Intricacy. The Carpets are made of Pure Silk, Silk on Silk, Silk on Cotton or Wool on Cotton among other combinations. The Most expensive of them is the Silk on Silk variety which can range from Rs.10,000 for 2 x 3 Sq Feet to US$40,000 for the Top of the line Hand Knotted ones. Attractive Discounts are available for those willing to Bargain.

Shawls:

There are pure wool shawls called Raffal which have different counts of wool- 40, 60, 80 etc. and the shawl is progressively more expensive as the count increases. Shawl mixed with other fibers like cotton and derivatives are far more cheaper. Woolen shawls mixed with PASHMINA are more expensive. And then there are Shawls that look and feel like PASHMINA which are priced between PASHMINA and Normal.

There are also embroidered shawls having either a Hook or a Needle work. Needle work is much more expensive than Hook work.

Some have Gold Zari embroidery work on them in Hook work and are very expensive.

Paper Mache:

Price depends on two factors.

Raw State: Papier Mache in its raw state are not expensive. It is first smoothened so that its silky to touch. Inexpensive Paper mache are brightly painted, varnished but make wonderful gifts and come in a variety of shapes and sizes and don't cost a fortune. Eggs, Candle stands, Jewelry boxes, Pen stands, Kum Kum boxes are a few options available.

Finished and Polished: High grade papier mache is used to make bowls, vases, trays and a number of other products all painted by expert craftsmen with images of Kingfishers, Chinar leaves etc on them. Gold used on these products is Real Gold. On lower range products the paint is poster paint, the difference being in skill of painting and execution.

Walnut Wood:

Items made come from three parts of the tree, BRANCHES, TRUNK and ROOT. Branches have the palest colour and the Trunk has the Boldest. Objects made of Rot are the costliest because of the wood used. Objects made of Walnut wood include Salad Bowls, Jewellery boxes, Nut bowls, Photo Frames, Trays, Furniture etc.

Saris:

Kashmir is known for its mulberry cultivation. Silkworms feeding on this produce resilient silk. Kashmiri silk is thin but very strong. Its used mainly to make Saris which are famous all over India.

Basket Weaving:

Strong wicker baskets to be used as Picnic hampers, lampshades, glass holders, work baskets etc are available in Kashmir. The main center of this craft is at Hazrathbal in Srinagar.

Cricket Bats:

The famous Kashmir willow finds its way into the bats of the National Teams of India.

Other Products:

Other products of Kashmir include Saffron, grown in Pampore on the way to Pehalgam. It is one of the only two places in India where Saffron is grown, other is in Kishtwar, also in Jammu and Kashmir. This expensive spice requires only a few strands to flavor a dish serving 10 people and hence people buy it in very small quantities. Walnuts and Almonds are available throughout the year. Other food products are Shah Zira, Kashmiri Chillies and Honey.