Pushkar’s main bazaar is one long, colourful lane of shops selling silver, clothes, bags, music and the rose products the town is famous for. It is one of the best places in Rajasthan to shop, as long as you know what to look for and how to bargain. Here is our local guide.
Where to shop in Pushkar
- Sadar Bazaar (the main market): the long lane running parallel to the lake, from the area near the Brahma Temple towards Varaha Ghat. Most shops for clothes, silver, bags and souvenirs are here.
- Around the Brahma Temple: stalls selling rose petals, prasad, rose water and religious items.
- Near the ghats and Gau Ghat: smaller shops for incense, prayer beads, books and music.
- The fair grounds in November: during the Pushkar Fair, stalls sell camel bells, saddles, ropes, leather, bangles and handicrafts brought by rural traders.
What to buy
Silver jewellery
Pushkar has dozens of silver shops selling rings, anklets, earrings, pendants and tribal-style pieces. Prices are usually by weight plus a making charge for the design.
- Ask whether it is 925 sterling silver and look for the stamp. Cheaper pieces may be silver-plated or lower purity.
- Ask the shop to weigh the piece in front of you and tell you the rate per gram.
- Be wary of “precious stones” sold as an investment, or offers to export jewellery for profit. Buy gems only from shops that give a proper certificate.
Textiles and clothes
- Bandhani (tie-dye) and block-printed scarves, dupattas and bedcovers.
- Cotton kurtas, wraparound skirts, harem trousers and light shirts, popular with travellers.
- Embroidered and mirror-work bags, cushion covers and wall hangings.
- Rajasthani turbans (safa) in bright colours, which make a fun souvenir.
Check the stitching and whether colours run. Many cheap block prints are screen-printed, which is fine, but should cost less than hand block printing.
Rose products
Pushkar is surrounded by rose fields, and its pink roses are offered at the temples and turned into many products:
- Gulkand: a sweet rose-petal preserve, eaten on its own or in paan. It is also said to be cooling in summer.
- Rose water (gulab jal): for cooking, skin care or drinks.
- Rose attar and oil: pure rose oil is expensive. Cheaper bottles are usually blends, so ask what is in them.
- Dried rose petals and rose syrup (sharbat).
Leather goods
Camel and goat leather bags, journals, sandals (jootis) and belts are common. Smell and feel the leather, check the stitching and zips, and be aware that some “leather” is synthetic.
Other souvenirs
- Puppets (kathputli) and painted wooden toys
- Brass items, bells and small deity figures
- Incense, prayer beads and books
- Folk instruments like the ravanhatta and small drums
- Lac bangles in bright colours
Bargaining tips
- Bargaining is normal in the bazaar, except in shops with fixed-price tags.
- Look around first. Check prices for the same item in three or four shops before you buy.
- Start low but fair. Many travellers start at around half the first price and settle somewhere between half and two-thirds, but this depends on the item and shop.
- Stay friendly. A smile and a little humour work better than arguing.
- Be ready to walk away. If the price is not right, thank them and leave. You will often be called back with a better offer.
- Buy more, pay less. Ask for a better price if you buy several pieces.
- Do not agree to a price you will not pay. Once you agree, it is polite to buy.
Practical tips
- Most shops accept UPI, and some accept cards. Carry cash in small notes for small purchases.
- Shops open around 9 to 10 am and stay open until late evening.
- Prices are higher during the Pushkar Fair, Christmas and New Year.
- For shipping large purchases home, use a well-known courier and get a receipt.
- Keep your bags close in crowded lanes.
Hungry after shopping? Read our Pushkar food guide, and before you go, our Pushkar travel tips.