Besides being the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi has an array of markets to offer to shopaholics. The city’s open air markets provide a dual array of handcrafts and clothes, together with contemporary products. Varanasi is a shopper’s paradise and it offers everything right from the finely woven silk sarees to handicrafts, religious souvenirs, etc. Now let’s look into some of the perfect shopping areas that one must visit in Varanasi.
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10 Best Markets in Varanasi For Shopping Lovers
1. Godowlia Market
In fact, Godowlia Market is one of the well-known shopping centers in Varanasi. This is one of the largest markets in India and is crowded with shops that can give you pure Banarasi silk sarees brocades and textiles. Its small streets house numerous stores offering all sorts of goods, including local costumes and contemporarily styled jewelry. Do not sit back without haggling for some nice local crafts and trinkets for good prices.
Details About Market:
- Famous for: Oldest market, Central Business District of Varanasi
- Duration: 3-4 Hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
Things to do:
- Other Places to visit: Kashi Vishwanath Temple
2. Vishwanath Lane Market
This market is situated in the vicinity of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and deals in religious items like idols, etc Banarasi sarees, handicrafts, etc. There would be a number of brass statues, equipment required for puja, etc., also Rudraksha beads. Markets are also famous for their collection of instruments that attract people interested in music.
Details About Market:
- Famous for: Market with varieties of products
- Duration: 3-4 Hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Things to do:
- Other Places to visit: Godowlia Market
3. Thatheri Bazaar
Thatheri Bazaar particularly stands out for its exceptional metal crafting industry. This banaras famous shopping destination mainly sells brass, copper and bell metal products. From beautiful earrings, rings, and necklaces to vases, lanterns, and other home décor trinkets – this place offers plenty of metalwork handicrafts. It is an excellent place to shop for souvenirs or gifts, which are always beautiful home decorations.
Details About Market:
- Famous for: Smith works, metalwork, stone inlay work, and Minakari
- Duration: 3 – 4 Hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Things to do:
- Other Places to visit: Sankatmochan Hanuman Temple
4. Golghar
Especially for lovers of textiles and fabrics, Golghar is among the largest and most visited shopping markets in Varanasi. This place is well-known for the wholesale cloth market, where people can purchase fabrics of various types at reasonable prices. It is a perfect place for fashion traditional and modern fabrics.
Details About Market:
- Famous for: Designer and trendy footwear, clothing, and home decor
- Duration: 3-4 Hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Things to do:
- Other Places to visit: Sankatmochan Hanuman Temple
5. Rajan Silk Market
Rajan Silk Market is a shop dedicated specifically to silk lovers. It has been a place where visitors can get the best of Banarasi silk sarees and fabrics in the market. The artwork on the products is even more elaborate and the hues used are brighter; it can be said without doubt that they offer beautiful art pieces. This is one of the most sought-after store in Varanasi for pure silk garments.
Details About Market:
- Famous for: Banarasi sarees, Banarasi Dupattas
- Duration: 4-5 Hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
Things to do:
- Other Places to visit: Golghar, Thatheri Bazaar
6. Dal Mandi Market
Even a shopping market of Varanasi Dal Mandi is famous for its products and services. Products ranging from seasonings, grains, home utensils to apparel and footwear are available here. It does help to appreciate the local shopping experience and even pick some of the basic things to buy.
Details About Market:
- Famous for: Designer Salwar suits, garments at wholesale rate
- Duration: 3 -4 Hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Things to do:
- Other Places to visit: Rajan Silk Market, Thatheri Bazaar
7. Gyanvapi Market
Located at the vicinity of Gyanvapi Mosque, this market which sells religious outfit and traditional products. It is the best shop for those who want to purchase prayer beads, idols and other accessories of religion. Once here, there is also a fairly good selection of typical market items such as local handicrafts and textiles.
Details About Market:
- Famous for: Bangles, Shawls, Designer lampshades
- Duration: 3 – 4 Hours
- Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
Things to do:
- Other Places to visit: Rajan Silk Market, Thatheri Bazaar
8. Lahurabir
Lahurabir is the one of the most famous shopping areas in Banaras which mainly deals in electronics products and fashion accessories. This market targets individuals and families in search of current trends in clothing, electronics, among others. But it’s not like the traditional market platform and provides a rather different or unique platform for shopping in Varanasi.
Details About Market:
- Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Timings: 11.00AM-9.00PM
- What to buy: Clothing, house decor items, home appliances, and jewelry
9. Chowk and Urban Hatt
Chowk Market is an old city centre for business purpose and it has got typical items and products to sell while Urban Hatt is of more recent business structure for shopping. Both are the places which presents the blend of old and new and thus are among the top markets set in Varanasi. They are often small stores that sell various items, ranging from handicrafts to familiar brand products.
Details About Market:
- Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Timings: 9.00AM-8.00PM
- What to buy: handloom products
10. Banaras Art Gallery
The Banaras Art Gallery isn’t a proper market truly but is quite important for some visitors who are interested in art. I found out that you can buy exquisite artwork and paintings which depict Varanasi here. This is an excellent marketplace for just about anything, whether you are looking for a special gift for your home, office or just about anything.
Details About Market:
- Location: Rani Laxmi Bai Lane Assi Main Road, Varanasi 221005, India
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- What to buy: Tribal Statues, Contemporary statues, paintings, both old and contemporary, and Bronze statues.
FAQs Related To Best Shopping Markets in Varanasi
1. What are the best markets in Varanasi for silk sarees?
There are two leading markets for silk sarees in Varanasi and they are the Godowlia Market and the Rajan Silk Market. These places are famous for manufacturing and selling good quality banarasi Silk sarees with good designs.
2. Where can I find authentic handicrafts in Varanasi?
Thatheri Bazaar is known for its unique and traditional artefacts and one should surely visit to shop for some metal crafts. You also get an opportunity to visit Vishwanath Lane Market to have a look at traditional handicrafts.
3. What are the operating hours for most markets in Varanasi?
Most of the markets in Varanasi are opened around 10:00 AM and closed at about 8:00 PM. However, certain markets such as the Godowlia market may be closed only during the night and might be open during the late hours during festivals.
4. Is bargaining acceptable in Varanasi markets?
Yes, bargaining is in a usual practice and more often the order of the day almost in all the traditional markets in Varanasi. However, some fixed-price shops located in relatively contemporary zones tend not to allow bargaining.
5. What is the best time to visit Varanasi for shopping?
The best season for shopping in Varanasi is during the winter season, which is between October and March. The markets are more active when festivals like Diwali are being celebrated.
6. Are there any modern shopping malls in Varanasi?
As for visiting shopping centres, they aren’t numerous, however, there are two modern shopping malls – IP Mall and JHV Mall for those who prefer shopping in the comfort zone.
7. Where can I buy religious items in Varanasi?
Gyanvapi Market, Vishwanath Lane Market, and the other adjacent markets are good to go for buying religious stuffs like idols, puja materials and rudraksha beads.
8. What are some must-buy items from Varanasi markets?
A few items that are a must to shop in Benaras are Banarasi silk sarees, brocade clothing fabric, articles made of brass and copper, wooden toys, and Benarasi paan.
9. Are Varanasi markets safe for solo female travelers?
With respect to markets, it is relatively safe for a single woman in most of the markets in Varanasi but one needs to be a little careful, especially in crowded places. It is advisable to go there during the day time, and ensure you keep your eyes open at all times.
10. Can I use credit cards in Varanasi markets?
Though some big shops and, modern commercial complexes allow credit cards, hardly any traditional markets and small shops use this city prefer cash transactions. When shopping at local markets, it is safer to have adequate cash on hand.
