Shopping

Shopping options abound in Chattisgarh with its myriad handicrafts and textiles. Local craftsmen produce a mind-boggling variety of handcrafted items using natural materials like wood, bamboo, bone, horn, stone, feathers as well as bell metal, gold, silver and paper. Hand woven fabric, Pithora paintings, Dokra metal animals and figurines, carved woodwork, coloured beads and chunky jewellery are some special things available for visitors to buy.

Slightly less than half of the geographical area of Chhatisgarh is covered by forest cover. Nearly one-third of the forests comprise Sal forests the produce from which provide livelihood to a large number of the population. The craftspersons of Bastar and Chattisgarh, Malwa, Nimar and Bundelkhand, Sheopur-Kalan, and Rewa also make pipes, masks, doors, window frames and sculptures. Madhya Pradesh also offers a variety of painted and lacquered woodcraft items such as toys, boxes, bedposts, cradleposts and flower vases. The major centres of this art are Gwalior, Sheopur-Kalan (Morena), Rewa and Budhni (Raisen).

Jute
Next to cotton, jute is the cheapest and most important of all textile fibers. It is used extensively in manufacturing different types of packaging material for agricultural and industrial products. Its coarse character has a unique charm while natural colour, heavy texture and twilly kind of body typify its earthiness. Jute handicrafts are available at Bhilai, Raipur, Durg. The items include hanging lamps, baskets, flower vases, swings, hammocks, purses, table mats and footwear etc.

Iron Craft
The tradition of iron craft in Chattisgarh has been passed down from generation to generation and stands unmatched in skill and creativity. Iron crafting begins with obtaining iron ore from local mines which the ironsmiths mould into various shapes and forms. Gond, Muria, Bhatra, Dhruva tribals, practice the tradition of offering horses, swings, trishuls etc. made out of iron, to gods on fulfillment of their wishes. There is also a custom of gifting to daughters exquisitely carved "Deeyas" on their wedding. Keeping pace with changing times and tastes of buyers, today craftsperson's produce various objects : birds, carved deeyas, candle stands, lattice, furniture, lamps and decorative items, each piece an object 'd' art enabling the craft to reach its zenith. Tribal statues have come to occupy a very special place in modern day interior decoration and tribal artisans have won the recognition they so rightly deserve.

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