Shopping in Gangtok

Your entire shopping expedition in Gangtok, Sikkim will likely be centered on one road: M.G.Road, named after the Father of the Nation, Gandhiji. This is because M.G.Road, Gangtok is the shopping hub for both locals and tourists. There are dozens and dozens of shops lining the street on both sides, selling goods from jackets to boots, wooden masks to dolls, tea to wines. Note though, that most of the goods are expensive and it is practically impossible to get the rates down even after hard bargaining. Most of the shopkeepers will just not bring down the rates.

However, during the off-season, you could definitely get huge discounts! One of the shops recommended is the Indo-Tibetan shop. If you have time, it is a good idea to compare the rates in the shops on M.G.Road with those in the State Handloom & Handicraft Emporium, Gangtok (located at Zero Point and accessible by taxi from M.G.Road).


What to buy in Gangtok: you absolutely must buy: the cute doll key-chains (see photo below)

The keychains are actually much smaller - I have taken a closeup to show details - don't you feel lik hugging them?!

The winter jackets are of very good quality but extremely expensive, so unless you are staying in a really cold region, don't reach for your wallet! You can, though, get woolens at lesser rates during the summer months in Sikkim. Also, unless you really have a craze for curios, it is not worth buying expensive curios which will simply gather dust in your home whether it is a pretty wall hanging or a figurine. You could, though, buy local tea and fruit squashes if you are so inclined. 

Shop window stuffed with crockery, vases, figurines, and general curios

Don't forget to have a closer look at the artistic styles of the buildings and shops themselves, as well as the incredible views from the main shopping areas of Gangtok (see photos below). It is a photographer's delight to be there!

Tip: Due to the low excise duties, you can get wines at a lesser rate than if you were to buy in one of the major cities in India. However, do find out about Sikkim liquor permits, which are essential for taking out locally-made brews and wines outside Sikkim. Address for Liquor Permits in Gangtok: Excise office, M.G.Road, Gangtok.

For all that walking around, you do need comfortable footwear! 

Visiting Kapaleeswarar Temple and Shopping in Chennai

I had heard a lot about the Kapaleeswarar temple, so made it a point to go there on my first visit to Chennai. It is well-known for its architectural beauty, especially its extremely tall pyramid structure (gopuram) that stretches towards the sky. It is located in Mylapore and is easily accessible by autos and cabs. As per a legendary lore, Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva here in the form of a peacock. The temple is also home to beautiful bronze figures of Lord Shiva’s devotees, numbering 63 saints in all.

So I was very excited to visit the temple. At the left side of the entrance, I handed over my footwear to the charge of a caretaker and got a token in return for collecting them later. I was truly awed by the tall gopuram and wondered at the superb mastery of the temple artisans who created the many idols and figures that grace the gopuram. I happily started clicking away and stepped over the threshold, camera at eye level to snap some pictures of the interior. A temple priest saw me, shouted something in Tamil and gestured with his hands, by which I understood that it was forbidden to take photos inside the temple precincts. Duly chastened, I put away my camera. Walking around the temple created an inner peace that is typical of a place of worship.

Best Places for Shopping in Chennai

After spending some time in prayer at this wonderful temple, after collecting my footwear I headed to the Radha Silk showroom. Located just a few footsteps from the temple, ‘Rasi’ as it is popularly known, has (naturally as it is south India!) extremely fine silk sarees. However, there is far more than sarees to attract the avid shopper at this emporium. I veered towards the children’s wear section, looking for something to gift my niece. I came across some adorable cotton skirts in various shades of blue and pink. I was happy to see the good quality fabrics and fine stitching work. Unfortunately, though, I did not get the size I wanted and I was sorely disappointed! Then I proceeded to the men’s wear section and, believe me, I came across some of the finest men’s kurtas I have ever seen to date. There was a vast range of colors and sizes and each one was impeccably designed. For the ladies, too, there are some lovely salwar-kameez sets for wearing at celebratory functions. Whether you are looking for casual or formal wear, Rasi is a definite shopping stop!

A major shopping destination in Chennai is the Saravanna Stores. It is not just a store, but a multi-storeyed building. Even in the early mornings, there will be a huge crowd of shoppers. By huge I mean really huge – it seems as though half the population of the city has converged here, not to mention visitors like me. Each floor is devoted to a particular type of goods – jewellery, clothes, bags, household provisions, sports items, stationery, etc. Many people rush here to buy their monthly provisions and gift items to take advantage of the low prices. There are plenty of tempting things to buy, but make sure you have some money left over to enjoy the equally low-priced food in the canteen. Try the dal-vadas and samosas and take some of the cake to try out later.

For bookworms, two places that are a must-visit are Crossword and Landmark. Both are beautifully designed spaces. The Crossword Shop has comfortably deep large chairs that you can sink into and read a book undisturbed – what bliss! Landmark’s larger outlet at Spencer’s Plaza is simply awesome. It is so vast that you will need an entire day just to browse through the whole space!

Then there are well-known garments / sarees / jewellery that are Chennai’s landmarks, once again occupying entire buildings, such as Pothy’s, Nalli’s, etc.

So there are no dearth of shops and malls to spend many happy hours in the shade away from the heat!

Light Art Store Chennai

Lights enhance the décor of a house, the atmosphere of an office, the interior of an automobile and the ambience of a hotel or restaurant. At one time the options were limited to long white tube lights or round yellow bulbs. Today lighting systems are veritable art pieces in themselves, brightening up indoor places and outdoor sites in enlightening ways. Some lights are harsh, some soft and soothing, yet others keep you mesmerized.

Shopping for lights is fun! To enter a store that is devoted exclusively to lights and nothing else is even more enjoyable. One such showroom that I came across on my visit to Chennai is Light Art at Alwarpet. The ordinary-looking red and white exterior houses some of the most extraordinary lighting systems that I have ever seen. For those with small requirements to those looking for ways to light up spacious homes – every kind of customer can have their bright wishes at this one store. Tiny Swarovski-embedded ceiling bulbs, chandeliers with white Egyptian crystals, wall lamps of every hue, unique lotus-shaped lights suspended from the ceiling …all these and more will have you gasping in awe.