Spices
Strolling through any market in India, your sense of smell will be assailed by exotic scents, those of spices in the first place! Kerala is the most important producer, but you will find them in all the markets of the south of the country. The quality is often much better and the prices much lower than what you can find at home. Kerala produces one of the best black peppers in the world, the Malabar Garbled One (MG1) black pepper, as well as Tellicherry pepper. You will also find excellent red peppers from Kerala and Pondicherry. Other spices include turmeric, a major component of Indian cuisine, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, saffron, cardamom, vanilla, etc. Prepared blends of curry powder and spices(masala) for cooking or for making the famous Indian spiced tea, masala chai, are also available. Spices and blends are easily found in all market stalls and specialty stores, especially in Kochi, Kerala, in the spice gardens of the Western Ghats, in Crawford Market in Mumbai, or in Goubert Market in Pondicherry.
Tea and coffee
Not as well known as the varieties grown in Darjeeling or Assam, Kerala tea has some quality assets to offer. The best places to get it are the regions of Munnar, Periyar and Wayanad. Tea plantations dot the hills of the Western Ghats and you will also have the opportunity to visit one of the many tea factories. Coffee plantations are also numerous, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Another curiosity not to be missed is the chocolate produced there. If it does not have the same quality as the more famous cocoa, it remains of good quality and is a pleasant surprise for the traveler.
Incense
The scent of incense emanating from temples, stores or houses is omnipresent in the country and will undoubtedly mark your olfactory memory. Incense, called agarbatti in India, of excellent quality is found everywhere. Very common, nag champa often evokes a mystical atmosphere (or hippie for others), but many other scents are offered, with woody, floral, spicy notes... Those produced by Auroshika in Pondicherry are world famous and constitute an original gift idea. Sandalwood incense is the specialty of Mysore, as well as essential oils used to elaborate perfumes from all over the world! The professionals of the nose trade regularly come to buy their products at the Devaraj Market.
Ayurvedic products
India is the country of Ayurveda, a holistic medicine using only natural products made from plants, natural essences... You will find massage oils, care products and "organic" cosmetics all over the country and especially in the big cities, but also everywhere in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Quality food supplements are also available, those of well-known brands of course (Organic India, Himalaya, etc.) but also a range of excellent natural products produced in Auroville, near Pondicherry (spirulina, ashwagandha, triphala...).
Sculptures
Statues, jewelry boxes, caskets, lamps, decorative objects... Each region has its own specialty and you will be amazed at the huge variety of products on offer. Mamallapuram, in Tamil Nadu, has a long heritage of stone and marble carvers, who handcraft a large number of finely chiseled objects at unbeatable prices! And if you want a large stone statue to decorate your garden (representing Shiva, Ganesh or Krishna for example), they will be able to make it and have it delivered. Wood carvings are the specialty of Kerala where you will find a large number of objects made of coconut wood, rosewood, rubber wood, while Mysore is the capital of sandalwood items. You will also be amused by the traditional wooden dolls and puppets of Karnataka and the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, which can be decorative elements in your home.
Handicraft
The handicrafts of South India are extremely varied. Each state and region has its own unique craftsmanship. In the state emporiums, which are government stores with fixed and posted prices, you will find not only regional handicrafts but also national handicrafts of high quality. Indian pottery is sure to catch your eye. The techniques and materials differ from region to region, but the objects are generally made with care, both functional and decorative. Vases, containers of all sizes, flower pots or biodegradable "cups" (for the chai in particular) are objects of daily life for Indians. Craftsmen also work with ceramics with brilliance. In Kerala, many objects such as carpets, mats, mats or ropes are made with the fiber that surrounds the coconut, called coir in English, which comes from the Malayalam word kayaru, meaning "rope. You will also see many pieces of furniture, lamps and objects made of rattan or moonj grass, a similar plant; this is one of the specialties of Alleppey. In Athangudi, Chettinad, many aesthetic owners and boutique hotels come to buy the highly sought-after Athangudi Tiles, which are made entirely by hand using traditional techniques. Each tile, made on a glass plate with original and colorful patterns, is unique. Arranged with care, they allow to realize at home a tile worthy of the palaces of Maharajas.
Bronze and copper
You will find a large number of utensils, ornaments and decorative objects made of one of these two metals in the markets and stores. Copper has Ayurvedic properties and jugs and vessels are available everywhere (especially in Mysore and Bangalore). Bronze is a noble material that has been used for centuries, especially by the craftsmen of Thanjavur, who excel in the art of forging statuettes, bracelets, necklaces, rings... A good opportunity to get an authentic unique piece!
Gold and silver
Indians are the first consumers of gold in the world! You will often see Indian women wearing beautiful gold ornaments and jewelry... This precious metal holds a prominent place in religion and social recognition, but silver is also very popular. The gold found in India is either locally produced or imported from Africa to satisfy the high demand. The craftsmanship of Indian jewelers and silversmiths is undeniable, and you will be able to find beautiful gold and silver pieces, both gem- and non-gem-encrusted, of excellent quality. Beware of the street vendors, trust the established businesses and always ask for a certificate.
Precious and semi-precious stones
With the large amount of jewelry consumed, there is of course a wide variety of gems: diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, lapis lazulis, aquamarines, amethysts and many others. Professionals often come to India to find stones at competitive prices. For the average traveler, the possibility of being ripped off is great. As with gold and silver, avoid the small stores in the tourist towns and prefer the reputable stores offering certified products of excellent quality. Hyderabad prides itself on being the pearl capital of the world and you can find a wide variety of pearls, both set and un-set, of exceptional quality. Good deals are to be found in the vicinity of the Charminar, but beware, to recognize the quality of a pearl, gently scrape it with the tip of a knife, if it is crumbling, it is a natural pearl, while if it is made up of layers of onion, it is an artificial pearl.
Textiles
The textile industry is one of the main activities of India and would represent nearly 6% of its GDP! You will find textiles of multiple qualities: hand-embroidered textiles according to millenary techniques, silks woven by craftsmen, hand-printed fabrics, but also of course a large number of industrial textiles. Colourful wall hangings, pareos and other linens (often of poor quality) are available in all tourist cities. If you want an authentic piece, you can visit the small stores run by artisans. Otherwise, go to the state emporiums!
Clothing
You will probably be tempted to bring back ethnic clothes such as scarves, shawls, saris, dhoti, or lunghi... Each region has its own codes and crafts. For shopping enthusiasts, the big cities (Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai...) offer a large number of western brand name stores at reduced prices. It must be said that these clothes are often produced in India! The tourist cities also offer pashminas, or cashmere fabrics, from North India, the sellers not losing an opportunity to offer their products. However, be careful with the supposed quality of these fabrics.
Antiques
India is a paradise for antique dealers! It is possible to find unique pieces at attractive prices, but beware of counterfeits. Our favorite place ? The Chor Bazaar in Mumbai... And don't forget to bring back kitsch and colorful posters of old Bollywood movies, they will be all the rage when you come back!
