Each region has its own specialties, each town its own local craftspeople and its own particular skills. For fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork and antiques, India is a shopper’s paradise. Bargaining is expected, and the visitor can check for reasonable prices at state-run emporia.
Fabrics: One of India’s main industries is textiles. Of the silks, the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous. Rajasthan cotton with its distinctive ‘tie and dye’ design is usually brilliantly colorful, while Chennai cotton is known for its attractive ‘bleeding’
effect after a few washes. The
himroo cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns, may be found throughout the country. Kashmir sells beautiful woolens, particularly shawls.
Carpets: India has one of the world’s largest carpet industries. Each region will have its own specialty, such as the distinctive, brightly colored Tibetan rugs, available mainly in Darjeeling.
Clothes: Clothes are cheap, and can be quickly tailor-made in some shops. Cloth includes silks, cottons, himroos, brocades and chiffons.
Jewelry: This is traditionally heavy and elaborate. Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems include diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones and aquamarines. Hyderabad is a leading pearl center.
Handicrafts and leatherwork: Each area has its specialty; the range includes bronzes, brasswork (often inlaid with silver), canework and pottery. Woven rugs and
papier mâché (some decorated in gold leaf) are a characteristic Kashmir product. Inlaid marble and alabaster are specialties of Agra. Rajasthan is known for its colorful fabrics and silks. Leatherwork includes open Indian sandals and slippers.
Woodwork: Sandalwood carvings from Karnataka, rosewood from Kerala and Chennai (Madras).
Other goods: Pickles, spices, Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, Orissan playing cards and musical instruments.
Shopping hoursMon-Sat 0930-1700 in most large stores.
Note: There is a veto on the export of antiques, art objects over 100 years old, animal skins and objects made from skins.
Currency Information:CurrencyRupee (INR; symbol Rp) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rp1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. Coins are in denominations of Rp5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 20 and 10 paise.
Note: The import of local currency is prohibited. Export of local currency is also prohibited, except for passengers proceeding to Nepal (excluding notes of denominations of Rp100 or higher), Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka (up to Rp20 per person).
Currency ExchangeCurrency can be changed at banks, airports or authorized money changers. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorized money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsAmerican Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
Traveller's ChequesThese are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Some banks may refuse to change certain brands of traveller’s cheques which others exchange quite happily.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 1000-1400, Sat 1000-1200.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Apr 07 |
| £1.00= | Rp84.61 |
| $1.00= | Rp42.87 |
| €1.00= | Rp57.29 |
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