Amritsar Shopping Guide
Phulkari embroidery, handcrafted juttis, wholesale dry fruits, and Pashmina shawls. Explore the Holy City's vibrant bazaars with a local's guide.
What to Buy in Amritsar
Punjabi craftsmanship and wholesale treasures at the Golden City's bazaars
Phulkari Embroidery
Punjab's Floral HeritagePhulkari is Punjab's most celebrated textile art -- vibrant silk thread embroidery on handwoven cotton creating stunning floral and geometric patterns. Traditionally made by women for weddings and celebrations, Phulkari includes several varieties: Bagh (garden, fully covered), Chope (wedding gift), Thirma (white background), and Sainchi (figurative). Hand-embroidered pieces can take months to complete.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh, Golden Temple area shops
Local Tip: Hand Phulkari has slightly irregular stitches and the back shows the design clearly. Machine Phulkari is uniform and the back has floating threads. For authentic pieces, ask for 'haath da kaam' (handwork).
Punjabi Juttis
Handcrafted Leather ArtAmritsar is one of India's top jutti-making centers. Skilled cobblers (mochis) handcraft these pointed-toe leather shoes using generations-old techniques. Designs range from heavily embroidered bridal juttis with beadwork and zari to simple everyday styles. Both men's and women's styles are available in hundreds of colors and patterns.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Katra Jaimal Singh, Hall Bazaar, shops near Golden Temple
Local Tip: Buy half a size larger -- juttis mold to your feet after a few wearings. Check stitching quality and leather thickness. Katra Jaimal Singh has the widest selection at competitive prices.
Dry Fruits & Nuts
Wholesale Afghan ImportsAmritsar's proximity to the Kashmir and Afghanistan trade routes makes it a dry fruit wholesale hub. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, dried figs, apricots, and raisins are available at 20-40% below metro city prices. The market sources directly from Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Katra Ahluwalia, Hall Bazaar, Lawrence Road
Local Tip: Buy loose (khula) dry fruits, not pre-packed -- you can check quality and get better rates. Taste before buying. Wholesale shops in Katra Ahluwalia offer the best bulk rates.
Pashmina & Woolen Shawls
Kashmiri Luxury via PunjabAmritsar has been a major Pashmina and shawl trading center due to its position on the Kashmir trade route. Genuine Kashmiri Pashmina, Shahtoosh alternatives, woolen shawls, and embroidered stoles are available at prices lower than Kashmir tourist markets. The variety includes Kani weave, Sozni embroidery, and Jamawar patterns.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Hall Bazaar shawl shops, Katra Jaimal Singh, Lawrence Road
Local Tip: The ring test works for genuine Pashmina -- a real Pashmina shawl can pass through a finger ring. It should feel incredibly soft and warm despite being lightweight. Beware of viscose/synthetic sold as Pashmina.
Punjabi Suits & Fabrics
Traditional & TrendyAmritsar is a textile wholesale hub for Punjabi suits, salwar kameez, and fabric. You will find everything from traditional Patiala suits and Punjabi suits with heavy embroidery to trendy Indo-Western designs. The fabric market offers cotton, silk, georgette, and chanderi at wholesale prices.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh, Lawrence Road textile market
Local Tip: For the latest designs, visit the shops in Hall Bazaar. For wholesale fabric, Lawrence Road's textile market offers bulk rates. Wedding season (Oct-Feb) has the widest selection of heavy suits.
Amritsari Food Souvenirs
Punjab on Your PlateAmritsar is India's food capital, and many delicacies can be packed for travel. Amritsari papad is legendary -- thin, crispy, and available in multiple flavors. Other edible souvenirs include Pinni (winter energy sweet), Panjiri, pickles, wadian (sun-dried lentil dumplings), and spice mixes for Amritsari dishes.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Katra Ahluwalia, Hall Bazaar food shops, Golden Temple Langar shop
Local Tip: For papad, buy from shops in Katra Ahluwalia that make their own. For sweets, Kanha Sweets and Novelty Sweets are trusted names that pack items for travel. Buy wadian in winter when they are freshly made.
Best Shopping Areas in Amritsar
Five distinct markets from heritage bazaars to modern malls
Hall Bazaar
Vibrant & iconicAmritsar's most famous shopping street, running from the Railway Station to the Golden Temple area. A vibrant mix of textile shops, jutti stores, Phulkari dealers, and general merchandise. Both wholesale and retail shops line this wide road. The heart of Amritsar's shopping scene.
Katra Jaimal Singh
Traditional & competitiveA bustling market near the Golden Temple specializing in traditional Punjabi items. Famous for juttis, Phulkari, traditional accessories, and religious items. The lanes are narrow and packed with shops offering competitive prices due to high competition.
Guru Bazaar
Devotional & practicalLocated near the Golden Temple, this market caters to both pilgrims and shoppers. Religious items, steel utensils, kirpan sets, traditional Sikh accessories, and prayer items are specialties. Also has general household and clothing shops.
Katra Ahluwalia
Wholesale & bustlingThe wholesale dry fruit and food market of Amritsar. Narrow lanes packed with shops selling nuts, dried fruits, papads, pickles, and spices at wholesale prices. This is where local traders buy their stock -- tourists get the same bulk rates.
Lawrence Road & Modern Markets
Modern & organizedAmritsar's modern shopping district with textile showrooms, branded stores, and malls (Alpha One, Trilium). Fixed prices, air-conditioned comfort, and a mix of traditional and modern retail. Good for those who prefer organized shopping without bargaining.
Bargaining Tips from Locals
Eight rules that save our tourists money every single day
Shopping + Sightseeing Combo
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Shopping in Amritsar: Punjab's Golden Bazaar Heritage
Amritsar's bazaars pulse with the energy and warmth that Punjab is famous for. The city's markets have thrived for centuries as a major trade crossroads -- connecting Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Central Asia with the plains of India. This trading heritage means Amritsar offers products at genuine wholesale prices that are hard to match elsewhere in India, particularly dry fruits, textiles, and Pashmina shawls.
The cultural richness of Amritsar's markets goes beyond commerce. Phulkari embroidery tells stories of Punjab's celebrations -- each pattern has meaning, from fertility symbols to harvest motifs. The jutti-makers of Katra Jaimal Singh carry forward a centuries-old cobbling tradition where each pair is stitched by hand. And the dry fruit merchants of Katra Ahluwalia maintain trading relationships with Afghan and Iranian suppliers that stretch back generations.
For the most efficient Amritsar shopping trip, a local cab is invaluable. The main markets (Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh, Guru Bazaar) are clustered near the Golden Temple but traffic can be intense. Our Triveni Cabs drivers know the best parking spots, can carry your shopping bags, and coordinate your market visits with sightseeing at the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and the Wagah Border ceremony. A combined shopping-sightseeing day is the perfect way to experience Amritsar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thing to buy in Amritsar?
Phulkari dupattas and suits are Amritsar's most iconic textile -- vibrant floral embroidery that Punjab is famous for. Other must-buys include Punjabi juttis (handcrafted leather shoes), dry fruits and nuts at wholesale prices, Amritsari papad, Pashmina and woolen shawls, and traditional Punjabi suits and fabrics.
What is Phulkari and where to buy it?
Phulkari (literally 'flower work') is Punjab's traditional embroidery art where colorful silk threads create geometric and floral patterns on cotton or chiffon fabric. Hand-embroidered Phulkari takes weeks to months. Buy from Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh, or the shops near Golden Temple. Hand Phulkari: ₹2,000-15,000. Machine Phulkari: ₹500-2,000.
Are dry fruits cheaper in Amritsar?
Yes, Amritsar's dry fruit market (near Hall Bazaar and Katra Ahluwalia) offers wholesale prices that are 20-40% cheaper than Delhi or Mumbai. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, raisins, and dried figs are the best buys. The market sources directly from Afghanistan, Iran, and Kashmir. Buy loose (not pre-packed) for the best rates.
What are Amritsari juttis?
Amritsari juttis are handcrafted leather shoes with intricate embroidery, beadwork, and thread work. They come in hundreds of designs for men and women. Prices: basic juttis ₹200-500, designer juttis ₹500-2,000, bridal juttis ₹1,000-5,000. Katra Jaimal Singh and Hall Bazaar have the widest selection. Break them in gradually as new leather is stiff.
Is bargaining expected in Amritsar?
Yes, bargaining is standard in all bazaars. Start at 40-50% of the quoted price in Hall Bazaar and Katra markets. For dry fruits, compare prices at 2-3 shops and bargain firmly. Fixed-price shops exist in modern malls (Alpha One, Trilium). The shops inside Golden Temple complex are fixed-price and reliable.
What food items can I carry back from Amritsar?
Amritsari papad (famous Bikaneri-style, ₹200-500/kg), Pinni and Panjiri (Punjabi sweets), Amritsari wadian (sun-dried lentil dumplings), pickles, spice mixes for butter chicken and dal makhani, and packed Amritsari kulcha mixes. Kanha Sweets and Novelty Sweets offer well-packed travel options.
Where can I buy authentic Pashmina in Amritsar?
Hall Bazaar and the shawl market near Katra Jaimal Singh have Kashmiri Pashmina dealers. Genuine Pashmina is extremely soft, lightweight, and can pass through a ring (ring test). Prices: ₹5,000-50,000+ for genuine Pashmina. Beware of synthetic imitations sold as Pashmina -- they feel heavier and less soft. Buy from established shops with certification.
What is the best time to shop in Amritsar?
Morning (10 AM - 1 PM) is ideal for bazaar shopping when shops are fresh and less crowded. Avoid afternoon heat in summer (May-July). Evening shopping (5-8 PM) is popular in Hall Bazaar. The area around Golden Temple is busiest during prayer times. Dry fruit shops open early (9 AM) and offer best attention to early shoppers.
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