On a trip away, there comes a point when I start thinking about gifts to take home. Having once spent an afternoon before a flight home trying to get three large brass waterpots into one medium-sized backpack, I have now learnt to THINK SMALL! For this reason Pushkar, with its easy to negotiate, one street bazaar, is usually where I do my retail therapy. What I like most about this bazaar is that it has more than its fair share of shops selling unusual items. Because the camel fair is held here once a year, Pushkar is the base for many traders specialising in tribal artefacts, embroideries, and all manner of weird and wonderful things for dressing your camels in. The other main factor in the diversity of shops in Pushkar is the presence of a large number of 'New Age' travellers. Consequently, it is possible to buy anything from day-glo miniskirts to those 'must-have' juggling things that you set fire to.
One of the oldest 'camel' shops in Pushkar, owned by Ashok Shivani, can be found on the left-hand side as you walk from the Post Office towards the Vishnu temple. A very small hole-in-wall shop that can be identified by an ornately decorated model camel on the front step. Inside is a glory hole of treasures. Beautiful old cholis (blouses), dowry bags, tobacco pouches and purses all covered in minute hand-embroidery, mirror work, cowrie shells and old coins. The embroidery silks and fabric are all in the beautiful muted shades found when the dyes used are from natural sources rather than the bright chemical dyes used for more contemporary items. All manner of strange pieces of harness and tassles for camel dressing make unusual gifts as to the variety of bells in various shapes and sizes. The proprietor has won many prizes at fairs around the region for his 'best dressed' camels and has a wonderful photo album of his prize animals in their finery. Although there are similar, newer shops in Pushkar, Ashok, is able to provide a knowledgeable explanation of what a particular item is for and where it comes from.
Music CDs and tapes are another good buy in Pushkar. There is a cluster of music shops as you head towards the Vishnu temple, on the right before the lane leading to the Sunset Cafe. In particular the Shree Ganesh Collection is a great wee shop to hang out in listening to music. Jorawar Singh, the owner, lives and breaths music and it is no trouble at all for him to play track after track while you drink chai and make up your mind. If you hear something you like playing in a cafe around town and Jorawar doesn't have it in stock, then he'll have it for you the following day. There is a broad selection of traditional Indian music as well as contempoary and fusion Indian music. Shopping in Pushkar is easy and remarkably hassle free compared to many other places in India.
From journal Pushkar - a Holiday from a Holiday!