A List of Must-Have Souvenirs from India

Souvenir shopping is serious business, local souvenirs will catch your eye and you’d want to take a small token of your travels back home with you. So, here’s a list of such souvenirs to take you down on the memory lane once you’re back:

1. Pashmina Shawl, Jammu and Kashmir

Known abroad as ‘cashmere’, Pashmina is actually a Persian word, which means made from wool and literally translates to ‘soft gold’ in Kashmiri. Amongst the finest in wool, the fibre comes from the ‘Cashmere’ goat breeds found in the trans-Himalayan belt that are then hand spun and woven into exquisite shawls and scarves. 

2. Chamba Rumal, Himachal Pradesh

This square or rectangular embroidered piece of cloth (also known as Roomal), often likened to a handkerchief, is one of the best souvenirs to be had. Many believe it is a continuation of Chamba’s tradition of miniature paintings. Traditionally, these embroidered rumal, were part of a bridal trousseau or given as gifts. Not only the colourful presentation but the detail of the work is also to be noticed. 

3. Bamboo products, Northeast

Baskets, hats, wooden ornaments, cane photo-frames, carved mugs, showpieces, furniture, panels, lamp shades, table mats—these elegant collectibles are skillfully crafted from the humble bamboo. Additionally, the process of creating and selling them serves as the livelihood for many tribal communities across the seven sisters.

4. Madhubani Paintings, Bihar

Also known as Mithila paintings, these exquisite pieces of hand-painted art made by women in the region are particularly famous for their eye-catching geometric patterns. Made using a paste of powdered rice along with natural dyes and pigments that are fashioned using fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks on walls and canvases. 

5. Aranmula Kannadi, Kerala

The exotic village of Aranmula from the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala is home to the mysterious craft of metal-alloy mirrors, also known as Aranmula Kannadi. Believed to have existed even during the Vedic period of Indian history, the mirrors are made from the composition of metals that are alloyed with silver, bronze, copper and tin. 

6. Flags or Wheels, Sikkim

Sikkim is synonymous with natural beauty and Tibetan culture. Pick up Tibetan prayer flags, prayer wheels and if you have an empty wall, a thangka would look gorgeous. 

7. Pattachitra, Odisha

Derived from Sanskrit words for ‘cloth’ and ‘picture’, the Pattachitra form of cloth-based scroll painting is, without doubt, Odisha’s finest artistic tradition. With its extraordinary play of colors, the art form continues to remain one of the favorite Indian legacies and each artwork is souvenir in the making that carries with folklores and legends from the days of yore.

8. Kolhapuris, Maharashtra

Also known as Kolhapuris, these open-toed, T-strap sandals are one of the most famous souvenirs that one can take back home. Originating from the district of Kolhapur, these are handcrafted from leather and tanned using vegetable dyes. 

9. Phulkari, Punjab

Translating to floral craft, Phulkari shawls and scarves with their signature geometric designs sewn by women with skillful manipulation of silken threads, are as synonymous to Punjab as is Pashmina to Kashmir.