Karnataka Tours and Travel

Karnataka is a shopper's paradise where one can shop anything from its shimmering silks, sandalwood, rosewood carvings and exquisite handicrafts. You can buy sandalwood sculptures, agarbattis (incense sticks), perfumes, sandalwood oil and other small gifts like pens, letter openers, metal lamps, wood carvings and inlay work. Dedicated artisans of Karnataka are highly devoted and they are proud to keep their art alive. Karnataka's rich cultural heritage is evident in every product made by these skilled artisans.

Mysore Silks: Bangalore and Mysore are reputed for their shimmering silks. These silks are woven in a unique collection of rich colours, produced in a multitude of varieties and interwoven with delicate gold threads. Karnataka's legendary silk sarees have become an integral part of the Kannada culture and tradition.

Wood Carvings, Sandalwood Carvings: For hundreds of years, Karnataka has been the home of sandalwood. The assortment of products and designs is diverse. The Gudigar families of Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and Mysore districts specialise in this craft. Shoppers can carry home beads, pendants, carved tables, screens, dinner gongs, boxes, caskets, mythological figures, a host of stationery items, trays, decorative panels with intricate scenes carved on them and even tiny bookmarks crafted from this delicately scented wood. Inlaid furniture and sandalwood carvings are favourite with affluent tourists.

Rosewood Carvings
An ancient craft of Mysore that has found rich expression on the doors and ceilings of temples and monuments built under the patronage of various ruling dynasties.

Bidar Bidriware
Bidar in North Karnataka is a famous centre for Bidriware, a well-developed craft that involves the use of metal plate on an alloy made of zinc, copper, tin and lead. Finely crafted hookahs, goblets, paan boxes, bowls, plates, pen holders, letter openers and bangles exquisitely embellished with interwoven vines and floral patterns are a treat to the eye. The effect of the delicate silver filigree against the metallic ebony background is striking.

Mysore Paintings
Traditional Mysore paintings with their bright vegetable-dye colours and lustrous gold leaves are a connoisseur's delight.

Bijapur Sarees, Jewellery and Handlooms: Handlooms from Guledgudda (Khancholi), handwoven Ilkal sarees, clay toys and Lambani jewellery are specialities of North Karnataka.

Gokak Toys
Bright, colourful replicas of vegetables and fruits, images of deities, cradles, toys, masks and palanquins are available at Gokak in Belgaum District. Exquisite pottery and gold and silver jewellery are also available.