Rows after rows of shops in Srinagar are lined up in the streets. The array is awesome. There are souvenir to fit every pocket from Kashmiri Handicraft like chain stitch carpets, nambda, copper and silverware, basket ware, wood carvings to shawls and dry fruits. Then there are papier-mâché items ranging from jewellery boxes to mirror frames, a range of intricately carved walnut wood furniture and accessories, stone jewellery boxes, beautiful woolen Pashmina shawls, crewel embroidery on furnishing material sold by the meter and more.
Kashmiri handicrafts are prized everywhere for their exquisite craftsmanship. Kashmir carpets, in both wool and silk with their Persian design, are a lifetime investment and the shoppers’ selection range from the simple to the most extraordinarily intricate patterns handed down the generations.
Kashmiri carpets in wool and silk with their intricate Persian patterns are known to be a lifetime investment. Woolen shawls and crewel embroidery are famous here and are sold by the metre. There are a variety of items crafted out of papier mache and then painted with intricate patterns - ranging from jewellery boxes, table top items, jars, decorative items etc in every shape and size making it the most favorite memorabilia to carry back and gift others from the state. For those who like heavy furniture the state is known for its traditional models made out of walnut wood and replete with carvings. Small items like pen stands, wall hangings, mirror frames are also crafted out of walnut wood. Dry fruits, spices and saffron are also what tourists love to carry back from the city.
In the city Shaw Brothers and Boulevard are where you should head to for carpets. Solomon's Mine on Lambert Lane is known for its traditional silver jewellery. Tariq's in Polo View is ideal to check out rugs, furnishing fabric, crewel work and chain stitch items. You can pick up your stock of dry fruits, spices, saffron, honey etc from Amin bin Khaliq in Polo View. Asia Crafts at the Bund is where you can go for papier mache and walnut wood items and carpets.
