Tibetan Market Udaipur

Shopping Places in Udaipur for Traditional Fashion.

Culture lies in the veins of Udaipur. The tradition of a place is what gives it originality and offers density in variety. The city is proud of its evermore free-spirited bazaar where the best of Rajasthan is available in the wraps of Udaipur. Those elephants and camel printed colorful bedsheets, classic leather-bound notebooks, fine silk scarfs, diversity of Jootiyas (flat ballerinas), oxidized jewelry, and many more items that just speak in prettiness. Indulge yourselves in retail therapy, at these great long-established places.

Lake Palace Road

Whenever you go there, be prepared for loving everything that is sold here. From Tie-Dye patterns to Batik Print, everything here is adorable. Figurines are excellent for the interior of your home. Especially, if you go by the bohemian rules, then you’ll love shopping here. Have a bandana at the round of your neck in these winter months while you browse around Udaipur.

Bada Bazar

You’ll find almost everything at Bada Bazar that needs a check on your list of Rajasthani items. It’s a big market that remains closed on Sundays. You’ll find all sorts of printed specialties, from sarees to bandana to amazing jewelry. Do pay a visit here on one of your free days. You’ll find an array of beautiful footwear here. Bada Bazar is located in the old city, Bohrwadi. It stays open till 8 in the evening from 9:30 in the morning.

Mochiwada

This Mochiwada Road is also located in the Old City, Nada Khada. If you are on the lookout for traditional-style ballerinas, you’ll definitely find your choice here. The prizes are fairly reasonable here. It makes footwear from a variety of materials like jute, leather, and so on.

Shilpgram

One of the Udaipur’s most loved and visited shopping hubs and today is its last day. The fair of Shilpgram is organized at JM66+9JP, Shilpgram for 10 days. It starts at each of ten days at 11 in the morning and continues with all of its grandeur till 7 in the evening. Then, after 7 pm, the dance, music, and theatre takes place. There are countless shops that sell all of the traditionality of Rajasthan and many parts of India. Sellers from all over India come here to put forward their hard work.

Tibetan Market

Tibetan Market is held in the three months of winter by Tibetans. It does not sell Traditional Rajasthani Items, instead, it offers a great variety in western winter wear. The quality of the clothes is really good and at a reasonable price. Good food, many antique items, and a lot of Indian sweets and sours are also available here. You’ll find this market at Ground, City Palace Rd, Pichola. It starts its business from 8 in the morning to 11 at night.

Rajasthali

Rajasthali is a government-run emporium that presents all of Rajasthan. You’ll find a great number of interior designing furniture. It shows both sides of the coin; traditional and contemporary. It has exotic paintings, blue pottery, brass utensils, terracotta, and fantastic stones all many kinds for your taste. This place is meant for the time you want to spend exploring. Rajasthali is located at Post Office Road, Near Chetak Cinema, Chetak Circle, Madhuban, Udaipur. It is closed on Sundays. Timings are 10 am to 7 pm.

Maldas Street

If you are a street shopper, this is the place for you. It is filled with shops selling good traditional items. It is also located in the old city. You’ll find beautiful unstitched fabrics so you put your creativity to use. This extremely affordable market stays open from 10 am to 8 pm.

Hathi Pol

This is the place of paintings. Many genres of paintings are here to browse from and art is for living. Wooden handicrafts are also seen gloriously here. Even clothes and accessories are in fashion here. Hathi pol is located in the old city side too. From Monday to Saturday, it stays open for 12 hours from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm and on Sundays, it starts from 9:00 am and closes at 2 pm.

Traditional fashion is naturally close to heart. Tradition in us tell others where we come from. Indulge into shopping with what’s truly yours.

Chilly winters and Samor Bagh

An open ground comprised of 56 small stalls contended by refugee Tibetan families, and that’s how Samor Bagh looks now. However, 15 years back it didn’t look like this. No one in Udaipur knew about this place, but now days it is very popular among all Udaipurites. If someone has to buy woolen wears the first name which comes in the mind is Samor Bagh. People at Udaipur have a strong feeling that there they can avail all different varieties of winter apparel and accessories at cheap and best price as compared to other shops and showrooms.

While talking to Mr. Tee Jampa, (President of Tibetan association, Udaipur) I was able to read the struggles which he and his community have faced. I was very curious to know the story behind and I’m sure everyone will be interested to know their story. He narrated that in 1959 when china attacked on Tibet, around 80-90 thousands of people along with Dalai Lama fled to India and settled down in five different states. Before 45 years 25-30 refugees (ancestors) came up to the lake city in search of livelihood and started selling hand woven woolen clothes by wandering door to door. Slowly, people started accepting their products which has sober colors and designs. The other reason behind mass acceptance was the rate and quality of products.

After some time they took permission from municipality and started selling their manufactured goods at footpaths of Surajpol near Ashoka Talkies. They also established their market in Chetak and Town hall in 80s. In few years municipality didn’t allow them to carry on further. They were highly disappointed that time. Maharaja Mahendra Singh Pratap of Mewar sent a letter to nomads expressing that he’s really sad that they (followers of Dalai Lama) are facing in his city. He’ll be grateful if they would use his piece of land named Samor Bagh near Gulab Chowk.

Finally they shifted to Samor bagh and now it’s been 17 years they are operating there only. He also told us that the rent which the king charges is very less as compared to other landowners and government bodies. The rent is divided equally among all 56 members. The other problem which they face is MRP of the materials which they sale. To curb this issue in 2006 they have made an alliance called “Tibetan Refugee Trader’s Association” where they discuss about the rate and various other concerns which causes hindrance to them in fostering their business. Besides this, the association also helps Tibetans in binding them socially from all over India.

The stalls consist of both handmade and machine made. Mr. Palden (Gen. Secretry) told us that they started manufacturing the machine made products before 30 years from Ludhiana as the demand of such goods were high. They order the products according to the penchant of the city’s populace. Every year these Tibetans came from different states mostly from Himanchal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, U.P. and Bihar for 3-4 months and sale the stuffs. While rest of the months these refugees subsist on agriculture and small shops.

Life is very tough especially for these Tibetans who are refugees and still struggling for their country from more than 50 years. With this winters there are many other things which come in this city and Tibetans are one among them. They are very gentle people we all should love and respect them and also try to give them a little space in our heart so they can also easily mingle with us.

Video: Words by Mr.Thinley Jampa (President)

Article By : Khushboo Baranwal

Photos and Article Inputs By : Yash Sharma