Top Rated Shopping in Varanasi

Nestled in the heart of the buzzing Maheshpur town, Godowlia Market is swarming with local traders selling all kinds of stuff at great bargains. Found at a short distance from the nearest railway station, it is labeled as one of the busiest open markets of the city, and quite rightly so. The cramped lanes are packed with stalls selling household essentials, ethnic jewelry, handmade shawls and zari garments, among other intricately designed apparel. Post a tiring shopping spree at Godowlia, one may choose the visit the serene Kashi Temple lying a few blocks ahead.

Rajan Silk Store serves as a city landmark, having been established a few decades ago. Made famous for its exhaustive collection of traditional Banaras sarees, dress materials, scarves and other fabrics, the store is owned by the country's renowned textile merchant Mr. Rajan Khanna. Be it the right ethnic outfit for a wedding or formal wear, Rajan Silk Store is sure to impress you with its diverse styles and designs.

Indica books, located at the Godowlia Crossing opposite to Sushil Cinema, will enlighten book lovers with an authoritative collection of books about the culture and heritage of India. Indology, the academic name for the study of Indian culture is the most covered area here. A vast collection of resources for researchers, academicians and students are available at this charming store. Do visit this book haven, which lies in proximity to the ghats of Ganges and Kashi Golden Temple.

A local market made famous as a treasure trove of brass products, Thatheri Bazar lies close to the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. A walk through its narrow lanes lets you explore the various kinds of brass ornaments and utensils made by the local smiths. The brass water pot, called 'kamandalam', is a popular item sold here. Additionally, one can also shop for intricate minakari accessories, clay pots, copper bowls and hand-made rugs.

Located a few minutes away from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Raj Bandhu Sweet Shop is buzzing with activity during all times of the day. Selling the choicest sweetmeats in town at fixed rates, you can even sample a few of the usual suspects such as gulab jamun, jalebi, motichur laddoo and others. Spicy deep-fried snacks that Indians consume at tea time are also on offer. This shop is hard to miss because of the line of policemen who sit right by the entrance to guard the little streets leading up to the temple.

A bustling market in the heart of the holy city, Vishwanath Gali is where you can find all things local and traditional. While the market largely caters to pilgrims headed to the nearby Kashi Vishwanath Temple, it is also buzzing with a number of shops that sell Banarasi sarees, dress materials, religious books, statues and jewelry. Particularly popular with foreign tourists are brass items and the Rudraksha mala.