Shopping in Nalanda
Nalanda being one of the most favored tourist destination in Bihar is known for its plethora of local shopping markets from where one can buy beautiful handicraft items and other artifacts. Ruins of the once magnificent university, splendid beauty, spontaneous magnetism and inherited charisma have made it a paradise for the tourists.
Apart from the large number of tourist destinations and religious spots throughout Nalanda, it is also famous for its handicrafts. Rural handicrafts like Madhubani paintings, wooden stools, bamboo, miniatures in paper and leaves, hand-painted wall hangings, stone pottery, leather goods and applique work are found in Nalanda and its surrounding areas in Bihar. The handicrafts in Nalanda depict the rich cultural traditions of Bihar.
What to buy in Nalanda ?
Though not exactly a shopper’s paradise, Nalanda has many unique and enchanting options for its visitors. It is quite famous for its low cost handicrafts. There are stalls among the Nalanda ruins that sell traditional Bihar handicrafts that include jewellery made of beads or sea-shells, key-chains and hand-made pens. Gifts, pottery, trinkets and art pieces that are made of sandalwood and marble are in demand among the tourists in Nalanda. There are many small shops set up around popular tourist spots selling souvenirs and other knick-knacks. Many shops in Nalanda and Rajgir sell stone sculptures, bowls and Madhubani paintings which make interesting souvenirs to take back home. Exquisite handicrafts available in Nalanda:
Madhubani Paintings : Creative folk painting by women in a traditional manner. They portray symbolic motifs, and religious deities like Shiva, Parvati, Krishna, Radha, Durga, etc..
Sikki Work: A craft that uses grass which is then hand-woven into nice baskets and mats. They are popularly given to brides during marriage.
Wood Inlay: Done using different materials, like metal, ivory and horn. This craft makes lovely decorative pieces, wall hangings, table tops, trays, and a number of utility articles used for daily household needs.
Stonecrafts: The traditional art of making of Buddhist icons, household articles such as the mortar kharal , pestle and other images. The stone craft has gained its popularity in the entire country and in the whole world as well for the creative designs amalgamated with rich Buddhist tradition. The masterly creations of the artisans have attracted the fancy of the tourists and have promoted the tourism of India to some extent.
Khatwa: An applique work of designing by cutting of one fabric and stitching the pieces to another fabric. It is used to create decorative items like tents, canopies, shamianas, etc.