Are you a shopaholic? Do you love travelling and filling up your cupboard with authentic items? Do you also love to see culture blend with modernism? If yes, let me take you to a paradise. This paradise is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh and is also called the City of Nawabs.
If you are still guessing, let me tell you- it’s Lucknow. Lucknow is the best place you can visit if you love shopping and discovering new places. The city offers a wide variety of culture and art that you can buy, and I bet you’ll definitely end up smiling, eye to eye with your purchase.
Shopping in Lucknow isn’t just about buying things; it is also about the depth and authenticity of craftsmanship and the rich culture.
Lucknow | A Shopper’s Paradise
The pre-independence era was very influential and impactful for Lucknow. During this era, many art forms and crafts flourished and remained. These crafts and art forms have huge markets in Lucknow today.
These crafts are authentic and intricate. The nawabi era also left some delicious delicacies, and no shopping trip is complete without some good food. Below is a complete list of the things you can buy when visiting Lucknow:
Chikankari Embroidery
Chikankari is often the first thing that comes to a visitor’s mind when thinking about Lucknow. It is a delicate and beautiful hand embroidery which originated in the Mughal-Nawabi era.
You can find Chikankari being done on various fabrics like cotton, georgette, silk, chiffon, and many more. In Lucknow, you can purchase Chikankari embroidery on my apparel. Markets like Hazratganj and Aminabad have a wide variety of handcrafted chickankari.
From Chikankari kurtas to Chikankari sarees, you can find everything in these markets. The craftsmanship employed in the making of Chikankari is not only an art form, but it also holds heritage and culture. Chikankari is a symbol of timeless elegance.
It is also very lightweight and breathable, which makes it even more loved when it comes to clothing.
Zardozi and Kamdani Work
Embroideries in Lucknow are literally synonymous with luxury. Zardozi is a detailed and intricate embroidery often done with stones, pearls, and beads. This embroidery is regal, timeless, and elegant. Gold and silver threads are the main elements used to handcraft the zardozi embroidery.
It is generally used in wedding outfits. If you are someone who’s planning a big Indian royal wedding, zardozi is definitely made for you.
Zardozi embroidery from Lucknow is famous worldwide and perfect for people who want a royal touch in their outfits. Kamdani embroidery, on the other hand, looks a little similar to zardozi, but it is much lighter and finer. It is a delicate and shimmery form of metallic embroidery.
Kamdani is subtle, flat, and glittering while Zardozi is bold and royal. If you are someone who prefers a royal glam or someone who likes it subtle yet detailed, Lucknow has a variety of options to pick from.
Attars
During the Nawabi era in Lucknow, a revolution came into force. Not just in the case of rulers, but in the case of culture and traditions as well. The nawabs were great patrons of luxury and culture and brought a big change in grooming and presentation.
Attars are also a part of this revolutionary change. These are basically natural oil based perfumes made out of rose, sandalwood, etc which reflected the nawabi elegance and luxury back in the day.
You can still get these traditionally made attars in modern-day Lucknow as well. Many artisans making these fragrances continue to carry forward this legacy. You can easily get your attars at Sugandhco in Hazratganj or the perfumeries of Chowk.
Lakhnawi Handcrafts And Home Decor
Handcrafted items are a matter of luxury and legacy in Lucknow, as these handcrafted items originated hundreds of years ago and are still famous worldwide.
One such handicraft can be found in the case of furniture and home decor items as well. These items are great souvenirs or can be used to enhance the beauty of your home.
You can find these handcrafted items in marble work, brass artifacts, and hand-painted pottery. Such handcrafted items can be found in the Chowk market or in multiple emporiums.
Traditional Footwear
When shopping in Lucknow, you’ll definitely come across items that will show culture and take you back in time. Traditional footwear generally includes handcrafted leather shoes and sandals.
These are not the regular footwear that you get from your nearby store. These shoes have embroidery carved on them.
Mojaris found in Lucknow are the definition of luxury and culture. These footwear items are handmade and have a detailed decoration of pearls, zari, mirrors, etc.
Lucknowi Zari Sarees
For saree lovers, Lucknow has a paradise waiting for you to shop in. Zari is a metallic thread, especially used in Indian embroidery. Back in the day, zari was made out of real gold and silver, and you can still find it today.
However, in many embroideries, you’ll find polyester thread being used to give a metallic look. Zari embroidery is timeless, and so are sarees. These sarees reflect authenticity, luxury, and culture.
Lucknowi Sherwani And Kurtas
If your wedding day is around the corner, you should definitely visit Lucknow and grab some traditional kurta pajamas and Nehru jackets.
Many designers are specialists in making traditional wear for men. You can get your traditional kurta pajamas customised in Lucknow.
For people who think men’s fashion is boring or doesn’t have much, these authentic Lucknowi sherwanis and kurta are a great answer to them. These traditional wears reflect royalty and elegance.
Embroidered Potli Bags And Clutches
You can find a handcrafted and traditional version of almost everything you use in your day-to-day routine in Lucknow. Embroidered potli bags and clutches are also very famous in Lucknow.
These have the details of most handcrafts such as chickankari, zardozi, kalamkari, and mirror work. Such potli bags can be perfectly styled with your ethnic wear and level up your styling game.
Delicious Delicacies
No shopping experience is complete without good food. Lucknow has lipsmacking food. This food is popular not only in India but worldwide.
Lucknow is known for its kebabs. Tunday Kababi is one such place, and it offers a variety of kebabs. Slow-cooked kebabs smothered in ghee are literally the definition of perfection.
If you are a vegetarian, you’ve got options too! Kachori in Lucknow is delicious, and you would want to keep coming back for more. Also, for a nice dessert, try Kulfis. Lucknow has a wide variety of Kulfis, each having different flavours.
If you want to take your favourite delicacies like Tunday Kababi home, you can do that too. Tunday Kababis are also available in small masala mix packets, which are travel-friendly. Now, you can take the flavours of Lucknow wherever you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lucknow famous for?
Lucknow is famous for traditional handicrafts and embroideries. From clothes to footwear, you can find a traditional version of everything you want in Lucknow.
Where can I shop in Lucknow?
Lucknow has a number of markets and locations dedicated to providing the best quality products to tourists and locals. You can shop at places like Aminabad and Hazratganj.
What can I eat in Lucknow?
You can get a variety of delicacies in Lucknow. Tunday Kababi is one such delicacy in Lucknow with never-ending lines of customers waiting. Kulfis in Lucknow are also a specialty.
Is Chikankari famous in Lucknow?
Yes, Chikankari is one of the most famous embroideries of India. Lucknow is known for Chikankari, as it originated here. You can get everything in Lucknow, from simple Chikankari for your daily wear to some heavy Chikankari for your wedding dresses.
Is Lucknow good for tourists?
Lucknow is considered the best cultural spot in India. Tourists can get their hands on some traditional wear and delicious delicacies.
Conclusion
Lucknow is not just the capital city of Uttar Pradesh but the heart of Uttar Pradesh. It is beautiful and vibrant. Soft spoken people carrying a beautiful cultural heritage, what more can you ask for? It is a great place for tourists.
You can find many things in Lucknow that will definitely make you come for more. From clothing to food, everything is a simple delight. You can never get tired of Lucknow as the city always amazes its visitors with a beautiful blend of culture and modernity.