Varanasi Shopping Guide
Banarasi silk sarees, UNESCO-heritage brassware, wooden toys, and sacred Rudraksha. Navigate the ancient bazaars of Kashi with a local's guide.
What to Buy in Varanasi
Six centuries of weaving, forging, and sacred craft traditions
Banarasi Silk Sarees
India's Finest WeaveBanarasi silk is arguably India's most celebrated textile -- a 600-year-old weaving tradition that produces sarees of extraordinary beauty. Weavers use real gold and silver zari threads to create intricate floral, Mughal, and geometric patterns on pure silk. A single bridal Banarasi can take up to 6 months to weave by hand. This is a GI-tagged product unique to Varanasi.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Chowk area weaver shops, Vishwanath Gali, Peeli Kothi, Banaras Haat
Local Tip: Visit a weaver's home/workshop in the Alaipura or Peeli Kothi area to see handloom weaving in action and buy directly at 30-40% less than showroom prices.
Brassware & Copperware
UNESCO Heritage CraftVaranasi's Thatheri Bazaar is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site -- the world's only recognized brass market. For over five centuries, artisans have been hand-hammering brass and copper into lamps, ghee pots, thalis, idols, and decorative items. The rhythmic hammering sound is the heartbeat of old Varanasi.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Thatheri Bazaar, Chowk, Vishwanath Gali
Local Tip: Thatheri Bazaar prices are wholesale since you buy from artisans directly. Brass items are heavy -- consider shipping for large purchases. Check for solid brass (heavier) vs hollow casting.
Wooden Toys & Lacquerware
GI-Tagged Folk ArtVaranasi's brightly colored wooden toys are a GI-tagged craft tradition. Artisans in the Khojwan locality turn locally sourced wood on hand-operated lathes, then coat the pieces in vibrant lac colors. The toys are eco-friendly, made with natural dyes, and represent one of India's oldest toy-making traditions.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Vishwanath Gali, Chowk, Khojwan workshops, Banaras Haat
Local Tip: Visit the Khojwan area to see toy-making workshops. These toys are handmade and eco-friendly -- perfect gifts. Prices are extremely reasonable compared to commercial toys.
Rudraksha & Spiritual Items
Sacred Beads of ShivaVaranasi -- the city of Lord Shiva -- is India's biggest market for Rudraksha beads, prayer malas, and spiritual accessories. Rudraksha seeds from Nepal and Indonesia are strung into meditation malas and bracelets. The number of mukhis (faces) on each bead determines its spiritual significance and price.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Vishwanath Gali, Dashashwamedh Ghat area, temple shops
Local Tip: Genuine Rudraksha sinks in water, has clear natural mukhi lines, and feels slightly rough. Plastic fakes float and feel smooth. Buy from shops with certification rather than street vendors.
Gulabi Minakari Jewelry
Pink Enamel ArtistryGulabi (pink) minakari is Varanasi's distinctive jewelry style where pink enamel is fired onto gold or silver to create delicate floral patterns. Unlike Jaipur's multi-colored minakari, Varanasi specializes in this unique pink variant. The craft dates back to Mughal times and is practiced by a handful of families.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Chowk, Vishwanath Gali, Gyanvapi area jewelers
Local Tip: Gulabi minakari is unique to Varanasi -- you will not find this exact style elsewhere. Ask to see the pink enamel under light; genuine minakari has depth and translucence that paint does not.
Benarasi Paan & Sweets
Edible SouvenirsNo Varanasi trip is complete without tasting the legendary Benarasi paan. The city is also famous for its sweets and snacks -- Langda mangoes (in season), rabri, malaiyo (winter specialty), and Banarasi thandai. Many of these can be packed and carried home as edible souvenirs.
Items & Price Ranges
Where to Buy
Kachori Gali (Chowk), Dashashwamedh Road, Godowlia Chowk
Local Tip: For paan, visit the iconic stalls at Kachori Gali in Chowk. For packaged sweets, buy from established shops like Ksheer Sagar or Rajbandhu that pack items for travel.
Best Shopping Areas in Varanasi
Ancient lanes and bazaars where Kashi's craftsmen have traded for centuries
Vishwanath Gali
Sacred & bustlingThe bustling lane leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. A narrow, crowded alley packed with shops selling silk, Rudraksha, religious items, wooden toys, brassware, and souvenirs. Authentic chaos with genuine deals if you know where to look.
Thatheri Bazaar
Heritage & artisanalA UNESCO-recognized heritage brass market near Chowk. Artisans work in open-front workshops, hand-hammering brass and copper. Five centuries of continuous metalwork tradition. Wholesale and retail prices from the makers themselves.
Chowk
Old-world & chaoticVaranasi's oldest commercial center and the heart of the old city. A maze of narrow lanes with shops, temples, and food stalls. Silk shops, jewelry stores, toy makers, and the famous Kachori Gali food lane all converge here.
Godowlia Chowk
Central & accessibleThe main crossroads of Varanasi city, connecting old and new areas. Modern shops, showrooms, and bazaars radiate from this circle. More organized than the old city markets, with a mix of traditional and modern retail.
Banaras Haat & Government Emporiums
Reliable & curatedGovernment-curated shopping venues with fixed prices and guaranteed quality. Banaras Haat showcases local artisans and weavers. UP Handloom on Sigra Road is another reliable option for authentic Banarasi silk at fair prices.
Bargaining Tips from Locals
Eight rules that save our tourists money every single day
Shopping + Sightseeing Combo
Our drivers take you to genuine shops (we never take commission from any shop)
Full day local cab in Varanasi: ₹1,800 | From Lucknow to Varanasi: ₹5,500 (one way)
Shopping in Varanasi: Where Sacred Meets Artisanal
Varanasi is not just a spiritual capital -- it is one of India's oldest continuous centers of artisanal production. The city's weavers have been producing Banarasi silk for over 600 years, creating what many consider the finest textile on earth. When you shop in Varanasi, you are directly supporting living heritage -- families that have passed down their weaving, metalworking, and toy-making crafts across dozens of generations.
The shopping experience in Varanasi is unlike anywhere else in India. The narrow galis (lanes) of the old city are a sensory immersion -- the clang of brass hammers in Thatheri Bazaar, the shimmer of silk in Vishwanath Gali, and the aroma of paan at Chowk. These are not sanitized tourist markets but authentic working bazaars where locals shop daily. Prices reflect this authenticity -- a genuine handloom Banarasi saree bought from a weaver's workshop here can cost 40-60% less than the same saree in a Delhi or Mumbai showroom.
For the most rewarding shopping experience, hire a local cab for the day. Varanasi's old city lanes are too narrow for cars, but our Triveni Cabs drivers can park at strategic points (Godowlia, Lanka) while you explore the bazaars on foot. They know the genuine weaver families, the best brass artisans, and can help you avoid the tourist markup at ghat-adjacent shops. A cab also lets you visit the weaver colonies in Sarai Mohana or Alaipura -- slightly outside the old city -- where the finest Banarasi silk is actually made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thing to buy in Varanasi?
Banarasi silk sarees are Varanasi's most famous product -- woven with gold and silver zari threads in designs passed down for generations. Other top buys include brass and copper ware from Thatheri Bazaar (a UNESCO heritage market), wooden toys, Rudraksha bead malas, gulabi minakari (pink enamel) jewelry, and Benarasi paan accessories.
How do I identify genuine Banarasi silk?
Genuine Banarasi silk has these traits: it is heavier than synthetic imitations, the zari (gold/silver thread) tarnishes naturally over time (plastic zari stays shiny forever), burning a thread produces ash (not plastic melt), and the weave is slightly irregular (handloom). A genuine Banarasi takes 15 days to 6 months to weave. Buy from reputed shops with GI (Geographical Indication) tags.
What are typical Banarasi saree prices?
Organza Banarasi: ₹3,000-10,000. Katan silk: ₹8,000-30,000. Heavy bridal Banarasi: ₹15,000-2,00,000+. Banarasi dupattas: ₹1,500-8,000. Banarasi fabric per meter: ₹800-5,000. Prices depend on silk quality, zari purity (real gold/silver vs tested zari), and weaving complexity. Handloom sarees cost more than powerloom.
What is Thatheri Bazaar famous for?
Thatheri Bazaar is a UNESCO-recognized heritage market -- the only one of its kind in India. It has been a brass and copper utensil market for over 500 years. Artisans here hand-hammer brass and copper into lamps, utensils, idols, and decorative items. It is near Chowk in the old city. Prices are wholesale-level since you are buying from makers.
Is bargaining expected in Varanasi?
Yes, bargaining is standard in all bazaars and private shops. Start at 40-50% of the quoted price. However, for Banarasi sarees at established weaver shops, the markup is usually lower -- start at 70-80%. Government emporiums (Banaras Haat, UP Handloom) have fixed prices. Avoid shops near ghats that target tourists with inflated prices.
Where can I buy authentic Rudraksha beads?
Vishwanath Gali (the lane leading to Kashi Vishwanath Temple) has many Rudraksha shops. Authentic Rudraksha beads sink in water, have natural contour lines (mukhis), and feel slightly rough. Prices: 5-mukhi (common) ₹50-500, rare mukhis (1, 14) can be ₹10,000+. Buy from established shops near the temple that provide certificates.
What are Varanasi wooden toys?
Varanasi's lacquered wooden toys are a GI-tagged craft. Artisans turn wood on lathes and paint them in bright lac colors. Popular items include spinning tops, animals, kitchen sets, dolls, and decorative items. They make excellent gifts for children. Prices: ₹50-500 per toy. Available in Vishwanath Gali and Chowk area shops.
What is the best time to shop in Varanasi?
Morning (10 AM - 1 PM) is best for serious shopping -- shops are fresh, owners are attentive, and lanes are less crowded. Avoid ghat-area shops during evening aarti time (high tourist markup). The main bazaars (Chowk, Thatheri, Vishwanath Gali) are busiest 4-7 PM. Many shops close on Mondays or have half days.
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