We keep getting questions such as where to buy authentic Indian handicraft in Delhi or where to buy souvenirs in Delhi or which is the best handicraft market in Delhi? Here is a list of top shopping places for handicraft in Delhi. We have included all the authentic yet cheap handicraft market in Delhi that does not burn a deep hole in the pocket.

Indian Handicrafts, Delhi

Travel means different things to different people. For some it is doing the sites, for some, it is climbing mountains; for some, it is all about knowing a culture through local arts and crafts. If you want to embark on a culture trip in India, Delhi is a great place to start. It shows India to you in an artistic light.

Handicraft in India is as diverse as its landscape. It started with beautifying votive elements and household items such as utensils and furniture, and clothes and ornaments. Drawing room crafts came much later. Handloom and handicraft developed based on local requirements, weather, topography and available resources. For instance, raw wool shawls are a speciality of the cold states Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh while mother-of-pearl craft items are produced in coastal areas of Bengal. In fact, the popularity of Indian handicrafts overseas bowled us over.

Also read: Why Indian Handloom Day is important for us

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The best handicrafts in India come to the country’s capital New Delhi no matter where these are produced. Handicraft shopping in Delhi is a must-do. We keep getting questions such as where to buy authentic Indian handicrafts in Delhi or where to buy souvenirs in Delhi? This Delhi shopping guide is to answer these questions. There is no dearth of craft shopping options in Delhi be it Surajkund Crafts Mela, Blind School Diwali Bazaar, India International Trade Fair, Saras Mela, Hunar Haat, Khadi exhibitions, or Nomadic Haat. But most of these are seasonal and may not work for visitors. Therefore, from our experience, we have included each authentic yet cheap handicraft market in Delhi that does not burn a deep hole in the pocket and is functional round the year.

Also read: Indian Crafts in USA 

Best handicraft markets in Delhi

Delhi, they say, is a shopper’s paradise. Cheap to extravagant, it caters to all tastes and requirements. Below are some budget-friendly handicraft markets in Delhi that do not compromise on authenticity. In our opinion, these are the best places to buy handicrafts in Delhi.

Dilli Haat, INA

This list has to start with Dilli Haat at INA. Next door to INA Metro Station, this place was built like a village market. The philosophy behind this place was to have a market where artisans could connect and sell products to customers directly without the intervention of middlemen. We love the architecture that is an open compound with simple brick rooms surrounding it. Depending on the season or the kind or crafts festival, the place is decorated with colourful festoons giving it a happy vibe. The stalls keep changing here to allow more artisans opportunity to sell their goods. Adequate parking is available.

What to buy at Dilli Haat: Handmade artefacts, lamps, wall hangings, masks, baskets, rugs, and carpets, handloom fabrics, clothes, and saris; shawls and knitted items in winter, light furniture and cane furniture, ornaments, bags, pottery, artificial flowers

What to eat: Momos, Chinese food, fruit beer, and regional cuisine at state-wise food stalls.

Also read: Don’t break my Haat and GI Handicrafts festival at Dilli Haat INA

Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Janpath

Central Cottage Industries Emporium or CCIE is a central government initiative for merchandising handloom and handicrafts of India and was established soon after Independence, in the year 1952. It has gone a long way since then and is now a one-stop shop for all authentic traditional as well as contemporary handloom and handicraft products of India. It is a five-storey building near Janpath Metro Station. Limited parking is available inside the complex. A popular misconception is that this place is expensive. From experience we can say, their items cater to all price ranges depending on the material and the craft involved.

What to buy at Cottage Industries: Handmade or hand-woven items that include clothes, ornaments, bags and purses, artefacts, wood and stone carvings, pottery, stoneware, furniture, and so on. They have a beautiful collection of traditional Indian artwork such as miniature paintings, Phad paintings, Madhubani paintings, etc. They also have a craft-based bookstore.

What to eat at Cottage Industries: There is a Cottage Café on the ground floor for CCIE for beverages and quick bites.

Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan, Connaught Place

Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan, on Kharag Singh Marg off Connaught Place, is the proverbial Alibaba’s cave of riches in terms of handicrafts and handloom. It is an agglomeration of state government-run handloom and handicraft emporiums. There are a few reputed private handloom and handicraft stores as well. This market is catered by Rajiv Chowk Metro Station and also has parking arrangements. This market is opposite to the famous Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place.

What to buy at Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan: This is a treasure trove all kinds of Indian handloom, handicrafts, spices, and raw food items. Different state emporiums sell their specialties. They offer a discount on prices before state festivals.

What to eat at Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan: There is an Indian restaurant – Bikanervala inside the complex. Some street food and tea are available on roadside stalls just outside the complex. Our favourite here is the government-run café – Indian Coffee Home. They serve simple Indian snack items and beverages.

Also read: Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan: A house of arts and Biswa Bangla – The beauty of the handcrafted

Khadi, Connaught Place

Khadi is a philosophy in India that relates to self-reliance. While the term was originally used for hand-spun thread and hand-woven clothes, in its present form, many varieties of handcrafted items come under the ambit of Khadi. The Khadi India store at Regal Building, Connaught Place is a mufti-storied treasure trove of handloom items. They also sell spices, condiments, honey and handmade toiletries. Rajiv Chowk Metro Station is in the vicinity. They do not have dedicated parking.

What to buy at Khadi India: Fabrics, saris, clothes such as jackets, kurta, and pajama for men, home linen, carpets and rugs, furnishings, spices, condiments, pickles, honey, organic toiletries.

What to eat at Khadi: There is a Khadi Café outside but adjacent to the premise. One can have vegetarian snacks as well as beverages like tea, coffee, and soft drinks here. There is an alfresco sitting arrangement.

Janpath Market, New Delhi

If you are looking for affordable souvenirs and gifts from India, you can come to the Janpath area where Janpath hits Connaught Place. This place is catered by Janpath Metro Station and there is a big parking lot bang opposite. Most of the shops here are temporary stalls and people often hawk goods sitting on footpaths. Prices are most affordable but a word of caution – not all items are handmade here, some are machine-made replicas. Also, bargaining for prices is the norm here.

What to buy at Janpath Market: Miniature paintings, Rajasthani paintings, cushion covers, Kutch embroideries ornaments, lamps, clothes and any other item that catches a discerning eye.

What to eat at Janpath Market: There are all kinds of food and snack stalls in this area. Sandwiches to samosas; shakes to tea – they have it all.

Nature Bazaar, Kisaan Haat, Chhatarpur

Kisaan Haat is a beautiful piece of architecture near Chhatarpur Metro Station. It was planned as an agricultural market where farmers could sell their produce directly to customers. This project was not successful. Thereafter the crafts organisation Dastkar took over this place and developed it as a handicrafts market – Nature Bazar. They have few permanent stalls. During a host of exhibitions, most of the stalls are populated by different artisans from various parts of India. Some parking is available.

What to buy at Kisaan Haat: Handloom and handicrafts such as clothes, home décor and food items. The items change depending on the ongoing exhibition.

What to eat: A food court is set up during an exhibition where different stalls sell regional or even foreign cuisine. We have had all kinds of fun stuff like baklava, Kawa tea and fancy cakes here. There is a permanent food stall here and we love their tea and pakoras (Indian fritters).

Also read: Dastkar Nature Bazaar

Other places to buy handicrafts in Delhi

Nomadic Haat, Connaught Place

The subway at Baba Kharak Singh Marg now houses a store – Nomadic Haat. They sell tribal clothes, bead ornaments, artefacts and food items.

Blind School Diwali Mela

Blind School Diwali Mela is a week-long fair just before Diwali. This is held at Blind School compound on Lodhi Road and is a treasure trove of traditional as well as modern crafts, home furnishing, décor and clothes.

Surajkund Crafts Mela

Surajkund Crafts Mela is held early February every year at Surajkund in Haryana very close to Delhi. It is the grandest crafts fair one can think of and thousands of vendors sell all kinds of handloom and handicraft you can think of. It is a must-visit.

Hunar Haat

Hunaar Haat is a traditional skill based fair held once or twice every year. Artisans from all over the country assemble at this fair. The venue keeps changing in Delhi.

Saras Ajeevika Mela

Saras Ajeevika Mela is another fair for artisans who depends on traditional crafts practices for their vocation. This is an annual exhibition and the venue keeps changing.

India International Trade Fair

India International Trade Fair of IITF has a rich collection of handicrafts from all over the country. It is held in the month of November every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Handloom Haat, Janpath

Handloom Haat is a multi-storied building at Janpath. They have Handloom House, a government-run handloom store on the ground floor. Seasonal exhibitions are held on the upper floors or the courtyard.

Pro-tip for handicrafts shopping in Delhi

• If you are looking for authenticity but are not confident about quality yourself, go to government-run places such as CCIE or state emporiums at Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan.
• Some handicraft items have GI or Silk Mark tags which are a certification of authenticity.
• Bargaining for prices is the norm at Dilli Haat or at Janpath Market. Fixed-price shops include CCIE or state emporiums at Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan.
• Most artisans are amenable to their products being photographed