Nestled in the western Kashmir Valley along the Jhelum River, Srinagar’s sweeping scenery, encompassing Zaberwan Hills and pristine lakes, has long been a calling point for tourists. Beyond sights to admire, Srinagar also delights the discerning tourist with its myriad shopping delights. Be it the famed Kashmiri saffron, lush rugs, or intricately embroidered pashminas, our guide to shopping in Srinagar encapsulates everything you need to know about what to shop and where to find it.
Shopping in Srinagar: Crafting your bucket list
Kashmiri carpets
Don’t we all love the surprise visits by Kashmiri carpet sellers in our neighbourhood, who add a little colour to mundane days? Carpets made in Kashmir are famous the world over. Hand-knotted using silk or wool, these oriental rugs are the epitome of luxury. While handmade carpets can be pricey, machine-made options offer affordability without compromising on beauty. These carpets come in bright jewel-like colour tones and feature geometric and floral patterns.
Recommended stores: Baari Carpets (Munawara Abad), Kashmir Carpet Industries Emporium (Exchange Road), and KCI Emporium (Shalimar Road).
Kashmiri shawls
No trip to Kashmir is complete without acquiring a pashmina or two. Known for their lightweight feel, beautiful buta motifs, and unmatched warmth, Kashmiri shawls have been immensely popular across the world for decades now. The most popular variety is the elegant pashmina, crafted from wool, pashmina silk, or a combination of both. Featuring gorgeous traditional motifs, these shawls exude elegance. Apart from pashmina, Kashmiri shawls are also made out of shahtoosh wool.
Recommended stores: GM Shora & Sons (Nowshera), Kashmir Shawl Factory (Alamgari Bazar), Vee Gee Shawls Emporium (Lal Chowk), and Government Arts Emporium (Residency Road).
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Pheran
If you live in Delhi and other parts of North India, where the mercury could be a tad harsh during the winters, investing in a warm Kashmiri pheran from Srinagar makes perfect sense. These traditional garments, made from cashmilon and featuring attractive floral hand embroidery on the neck and sleeves, offer both style and comfort. For men, pherans come in chequered and plain patterns in shades of grey, black, and brown. Along with pherans, you can also explore the utterly graceful Kashmiri sarees.
Recommended stores: Phamb Fashion Pvt Ltd (Khanyar), K Salama (Polo View Road), and Lucky Art Emporium (on Munawar Link Road).
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Walnut wood carvings
An intricately carved walnut wood souvenir would look great in your drawing room. Mark your trip with a nice and attractive wooden craft item. Thanks to the abundance of walnut groves in Kashmir, the delicate art of wood carving is prevalent in the state. The ornamental carved items feature motifs of flowers, fruits, chinar leaves, dragons, and more. From jewellery boxes to showpieces and decorative items, walnut wood carving finds its application in a wide variety of products.
Recommended stores: Paray’s Walnut Wood Carvings (Badami Bagh), The Black Walnut Emporium (Barbar Shah), and Bhat Wood Carving House (Gousia Colony Park).
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Paper Mache
This may come as a surprise to some of you but Kashmir is also known for its paper mache handicrafts. These could be a great choice if you are not in the mood to splurge and have luggage constraints. Introduced to India by the 14th-century Muslim saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, this traditional art form is used to make decorative objects using paper pulp and painting them in bright colours and patterns.
Recommended stores: Cashmere Art Gallery (Nehru Park), Kashmir Government Arts Emporium (Residency Road), and Mir Arts Emporium (Hawal).
Dry fruits and spices
Kashmir is also famous for its spices and dry fruits, including kagzi walnuts, wont walnuts, burzil walnuts, Kashmiri almonds, black raisins, dried apricots, shilajit, and dry figs, among others. Spice things up back home with Kashmiri spice cakes called Ver, Himalayan rock salt, hot red Kashmiri chillies (Marchwaagun), Kashmiri cumin, and mawal (cockscomb flowers).
Recommended stores: Mughal Dry Fruits Store (near Mughal Garden), Royal Kashmir (in Abi Karapora), Herb Heaven (Gulberg Colony), and Ajfan Dates & Nuts (Jawahar Nagar).
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Noon chai and kahwa
Another must-buy item in Srinagar is the world-famous Kashmiri kahwa. The fragrant and mild green tea has the goodness of whole spices, saffron, and almond slivers. You’d come across local hawkers offering you hot kahwa during your shikara ride in the Dal Lake. The divine drink is best enjoyed with crispy fritters on a rainy evening. Then there’s pink-coloured noon chai, which tastes salty and is worth buying.
Recommended stores: Tahura Foods & Spices (on Hari Singh High Street), Herb Heaven (Gulberg Colony), and Royal Kashmir (Abi Karapora).
Saffron
On your Kashmir trip, you would come across beautiful saffron fields dotted with purple flowers being guarded by military personnel. Kashmiri saffron, obtained from dried stigmas of Crocus Sativus Linnaeus flowers, is famed for its high quality. It is known as the world’s most expensive spice and is a must-buy for any visitor.
Recommended stores: Herb Heaven (Gulberg Colony), Tahura Foods & Spices (Hari Singh High Street), and Al Madina Departmental Store (Old Airport Road).
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Kashmir Willow cricket bat
Those who grew up in India during the 90s would understand what it meant to own a Kashmir willow cricket bat as a kid. Made using the willow wood found only in Kashmir and England, these bats boast a rare combination of hardness and lightness.
Recommended stores: Global Sports (in SDA Plaza Complex near Jhelum Market), Only Sports (Budshah Nagar), and MW Sports (Gousia Colony Park).
Now that you know what to buy in Srinagar, let’s take you quickly through the main markets in the town.
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Must-explore markets in Srinagar
Lal Chowk
Lal Chowk is the centre of all action in Srinagar. Dotted with traditional wooden houses and branded stores, the market sells everything from daily need objects to pashmina handlooms, carved handicrafts, jewellery boxes, and more.
Address: Lal Chowk, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Must-buy: Local artwork, Kashmiri sweets (like phirni, sooji, and shufta), saffron-infused spices, and handicrafts (paper mache decor, Pashmina shawls, walnut wood carvings, etc).
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Residency Road
Right next to Lal Chowk is the Residency Road Market. This market will remind you of those quintessential mall roads that Indian hill stations are famous for. From spices and dry fruits to ethnic Dogri jewellery and Kashmiri handicrafts, you’ll get it all here.
Address: Residency Road, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Must-buy: Kashmiri pherans, locally-made jewellery, carpets, Kashmiri tea (kahwa), dry fruits and handicrafts.
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Dal Lake Floating Market
One of the most special experiences in Srinagar is taking a shikara ride in the mesmerising Dal Lake. The lake is famous for its floating market, where you’d come across hawkers selling fresh veggies, jewellery, trinkets, kahwa, and more. The floating market is flanked by shops selling shawls, bags, and traditional dresses.
Address: Dal Lake, Srinagar
Must-buy: Local produce (Kashmiri spices, flowers, vegetables, and fruits), handicrafts, and local cuisine (such as kebabs, sheermal, kulcha)
Timings: 5 am to 8 am, depending on the weather. We recommend confirming the timing before your visit.
Polo View
This uptown market is perfect for picking up souvenirs for your friends and family back home. The market has shops packed with paper mache objects, traditional jewellery boxes, pashmina handlooms, trinkets, and walnut wood carvings.
Address: Polo View, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Must-buy: Dry fruits, embroidered clothing, local artwork, and Kashmiri spices.
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Zaina Kadal Road
The Zainda Kadal Bridge that leads to the iconic Pathar Masjid is lined with local shops selling all things Kashmiri. The century-old Zaina Kadal heritage market is located in downtown Srinagar. From phirans and shawls to saffron and spices, you will find it all here.
Address: Zaina Kadal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Must-buy: Silverware, traditional jewellery, Kashmiri willow cricket bats, and copperware.
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Kashmir Government Arts Emporium
And last on our list is the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium on Residency Road. Run by the state government, the emporium features an impressive range of Kashmiri items, from handicrafts to apparel to jewellery and more.
Address: Polo View Road, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Must-buy: Articles made out of walnut wood carvings such as trays, jewellery boxes, and furniture. Additionally, check out copperware, Kashmiri sozni shawls, Kashmiri namdas, tea sets, and Pashmina shawls.
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm
(Feature Image Credit: Emily Marie Wilson/Shutterstock)
Related: Journey To Kashmir: A Traveller’s Guide To The Most Beautiful Places In India’s Paradise
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What items are famous for shopping in Srinagar?
The most popular items for shopping in Srinagar include Pashmina shawls, Sozni shawls, Kashmiri pherans, articles made out of walnut wood carvings, carpets, dry fruits, saffron, and Kashmiri willow cricket bats.
– Are there any specific markets for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts?
For traditional Kashmiri handicrafts, we recommend exploring the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, Zaina Kadal Road, Residency Road, and Lal Chowk.
– Can I buy authentic Pashmina shawls in Srinagar?
Yes, authentic Pashmina shawls are available in Srinagar.
– What are the common payment modes accepted in shopping places in Srinagar?
The common payment modes accepted at shopping places in Srinagar include UPI, cash, as well as credit cards.
– Can I get Kashmiri handicrafts shipped internationally?
Yes, some handicraft vendors in Kashmir offer the provision of worldwide shipping, usually via their online shopping portals.
– Is it safe to shop in Srinagar?
Yes, it is safe to shop in Srinagar.
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