Amritsar is the oldest city of Punjab that has a great cultural and secular heritage. This colorful city has many historical places like the Golden Temple, Jallianwala bagh, Partition Museum, etc. Amritsar is not about Sarson da saag, Makki di roti and kulcha; it is full of indigenous things. Shopping here is fun as it is full of artistic things. If you are planning to visit Amritsar, do not forget to buy fantastic souvenirs or a gift for your loved ones from this holy city. Although its market is full of bustling tight paths, you will surely get the unique & exceptional items to keep as a mark of remembrance.
Here are seven relevant souvenirs of Amritsar
- Punjabi Jutti
Punjabi jutti is a footwear which Punjabis wear in north India. Both men and women like to wear it. Basically shoe smith prefers to go for leather to make it and decorate it with bright embroidery. It is famous by the name of Kasuri Juuti in Punjab and nearby states. Generally, these are handmade and are very robust. Punjabi jutti was part of Punjab royalty for around 400 years and poeple pair it with a Punjabi suit, indo-western Kurti, Anarkali suit, kurta pajama and jeans. They are available in several subtle base colors of leather and vibrant colors. Remember, you have to put on them with cotton for a few days as they are hard and hurt the feet.
- Phulkari
Phulkari is the famous flower embroidery of Punjab that is done on dupattas, suits and jackets. It is been part of the culture since 1960 and is available in many forms. Only bright and colorful threads are used in this kind of embroidery, such as red, dark pink, magenta, bottle green and yellow.
Some of the famous phulkari designs are bagh, Sainchi, Neelal, chope and Chammas.
The women of Punjab take Phulkari dupattas on special occasions and weddings. You can buy them from any market in Amritsar. Although all designs of phulkari are alluring, bagh is the most popular. It is so dense that the base fabric is not visible at all. So, ask the shopkeeper for a Bagh phulkari dupatta whenever you visit Amritsar.
If you don’t take the veil, you can also buy beautiful embroidery suits, sarees, and bedspreads.
- Salwar Kameez
You will find more plates on the bottom that is a salwar and tight-fitted upper over here. Salwar kameez is the traditional attire of Punjabi women. While all women in India wear Salwar Kameez, the stitching of Punjabi traditional suits are a bit different. First, you need to buy fabric or dress material from Karpa Bazar or any other market of Amritsar and then give it to a tailor for stitching. Generally, most of the big clothing shops have their in-house tailors, so you don’t have to search for them. The ladies of Punjab wear mostly silk, crepe, georgette, and cotton suits; you will get thousands of varieties in these fabrics.
- Paranda
Pranda is Punjab’s most popular hair accessory and the women put it on at the end of the braid. It is made with bright-colored silk thread to beautify the hair’s appearance. Paranda has been losing its relevance for the last few years, but still, females wear it during traditional functions like jaggo, Teeyan, Baisakhi and performing giddha on stage. It is readily available in the cosmetics and jewelry shops of Amritsar.
- Traditional Punjabi Pankhi
Punjabi pankhis are nothing but handheld fans that were fondly crafted by women in the old days, before the emergence of electronic fans. The women wrap a bright-colored cotton cloth around the frame and decorate it with thread work or lace. You can buy it from the old bazaar of Amritsar and use it as a decorative piece in your living area.
- Amritsari Papad & Vadian
Who does know about the scrumptious Amritsari papad and vadian; they are famous all around India. Also, many Punjabi songs talk about the importance of these munches. Urad daal and black pepper are the main ingredients to make both of these items. It is the best gift idea for those who love spicy food.
- Kara
Kara is a heavy bracelet made up of steel and worn by the Sikhs. It is a belief that it protects from the evil eye and negative energy. Kara is a spiritual souvenir that connects with the positive energy of gurudwara.
The Bottom Line:
Amritsar is an old city with distinct beauty and wandering through the old narrow lanes you will find many markets to shop for items like juttis, ornaments, bangles, traditional wear, and more. Besides these traditional markets, there are malls too to buy the brands. Even the above items are available with various brands, all you need to look out for it.
Now that you have a long list of the amazing souvenirs of Amritsar, which one would you pick for your closed ones? Stay connected to get updates on Amritsar news today.