Silk weaving is perhaps the most popular art of Varanasi
and Banarasi silk sarees form an indispensable part
of an Indian bride's trousseau. The world-famous gold
and silver brocades and richly worked saris are known
to have passed on from generations to generations much
like family jewels without loosing their charm. Besides
Banarasi saris and brocades, you may look for wonderful
pieces of brassware, copperware, wooden and clay toys
and antique designs of heavy gold jewellery in Varanasi.
Other shopping attractions of Varanasi include the
hand-knotted carpets of Mirzapur, musical instruments,
the 'khatta-meetha' (sweet 'n' sour) 'Langda Aam', a
popular variety of mangoes available during summer season
and the famous betel leaf that is considered a specialty
of the place. Benarasi people can be seen chewing betel
leaves as a part of their cultural upbringing and they
even welcome their guests by offering them the famous
betel leaves.
The shopping hotspots in Varanasi are Chowk, Gyan Vapi,
Vishwanath Gali, Thatheri Bazar, Lahurabir, Godoulia
or Dashswamedh Gali and Golghar. Besides the illustrious
and fine silks and brocaded fabrics, one can also buy
shawls, carpets, wall hangings, Zari work; stone inlay
work, glass beads and bangles, masks of Hindu and Buddhist
deities and lampshades. However, one has to be on watch
while buying silk saris and beware of the imitations
that are much cheaper than the real silk ones but are
not so easy to distinguish.
One can also buy 'kamandalam' or brass water pot from
Varanasi, which is often used by saints to carry water.
People buy bottled 'Ganga jal' or jerrycans from the
riverbank too for religious purposes or to be used as
Holy Water in various rituals. Besides, people can also
take water of Ganges themselves from the river.
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