|
The markets are full with everything a tourist craves for-handicraft items, jewellery, antiques, paintings and off course the ubiquitous coir and spices .
Shopping is an exciting affair in Kerala. With antiques, jewellery, curios, spices, handlooms and handicrafts available in plenty, the state offers endless options to its visitors.
Though traditional folk crafts can be purchased from anywhere in the state, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram offer a selection of interesting buys, both traditional and contemporary.
The best buys in Kochi are wood carvings, jewellery, clothes, ornaments made of coconut shells and bamboo cane or rattan, and embroidered screw pine mats.
Antiques
Jew Town, Fort Kochi, has a number of craft and antiques shops around the synagogue lane where Chinese urns and teak columns are available. The Jew Town is also famous for an assortment of quality spices.
Paintings and Sculptures
Several art galleries in Kochi display contemporary arts. Paintings, portraits, and sculptures can be brought from Dravidia Art & Performance Gallery, and Galleria Synagogue in Mattanchery
Aranmula Kannadi
This is a famous mirror made of a unique alloy of metals. A few families in Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district still practise the art of making this mirror.
Jewellery
Kerala is a treasure trove of precious metals and stones. Rich in variety and design, items like necklaces, chains, bangles, earrings, studs are much sought after by visitors from the world over. There is an array of 150 jewellery shops in a street in Koduvalli, 22 kilometres from Kozhikode.
Handloom
Pure cotton off-white handlooms edged with gold thread, known as neryath is an extremely popular item. Woven in specially-made looms, they are extremely light and soft. Balaramapuram, 14 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram and Kuthampally near Thiruvilwamala in Thrissur district are handloom centres.
Handicrafts
Kerala specialises in bell metal, wood, cane, fibre and coconut shell craft. Wall hangings, conch shell articles, finely carved wooden and metal articles are much sought after by the tourists.
Coir
An amazing array of decorative and useful items are made from coir, with products ranging from floor coverings to coasters, wall hangings, tablemats and many other articles of daily use. The craftsmanship is excellent and the products have a good finish.
Spices
Kerala is known as the spice capital of the world. The best are available at reasonable prices all over the state.
Souvenirs
Kathakali models in wood, exquisitely carved jewellery boxes, rosewood elephants, miniature models of snake boats, are excellent souvenirs to take back home for those you love .
| 
