Shopping In Darjeeling

Darjeeling - A SHOPAHOLIC'S PARADISE

Shopping in Darjeeling (Fashion changes, but style endures -Coco Chanel) 

Darjeeling is known to have been a trend setter in terms of fashion. This reminds me of a very famous line “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only, Fashion is in the sky, in the street, the fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Courtesy –Coco Chanel. No other lines can best describe our little fashion world. Yes! In Darjeeling, you find fashion not just in how we dress but you find fashion in the sky, in the climate, fashion in the street, to fashion in the way we speak and eat and of course fashion in how we live! Welcome to the land of fashion, Darjeeling.

Best time to Visit 

 There is never a best time to visit Darjeeling as it is beautiful year round. However, for those who cannot bear the extreme cold should avoid winters. The best time for them would either be April-May or even better would be during the festival season September-October.

What to buy? 

Clothes, shoes, bags, pashmina shawls, fancy woolen caps and head gears, sweaters and jackets, mittens and mufflers, the very famous Gorkha knives ‘Khukri, Traditional necklace worn by mostly married Nepalese women called ‘pothay”, the traditional cap ‘paday topi’ paintings and postcards, Tibetan masks, curio items, scroll paintings that depicts religious Buddhist stories called the ‘Thankas’, fireball pickles ‘dallay’ and lots and lots of TEA are some of the “MUST TAKE” items from Darjeeling.

How to shop? 

Since Darjeeling is a very small town and there are no drive-in malls, the only way to shop hop is on your feet. However, all the shopping malls and stores are centrally located thus making it convenient for the shoppers. Remember to wear comfortable shoes because it is quite a walk up and down the hill.

Where to shop? 

 Black & White This store started in the late 90’s and has some of the best and most fashionable clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. They usually get their products from Bangkok and they only sell women’s wear. It also has a yearly sale upto 50% off during spring. They have grown extensively over the years and have added three more stores. The most recent is named ‘Chocolate’ the best thing about these stores is the customer friendly ambience, good bargains and lots of varieties. If you shop during the festival season, you are treated with a return gift of a sample perfume (branded). They usually get an imitation of branded items like Zara, Mango, Charles & Keith, Gucci, Chanel, to name a few.

Mahakal Market 

This is one of the oldest and largest shopping malls in Darjeeling. It has more than 50 shops, mostly run by the local Tibetans. The items are the same everywhere in terms of clothes and shoes but the prices vary. You must bargain to get a good price.

Dragon Market 

Bang opposite to the Mahakal Market is the Dragon market mostly run by the local Tibetans again. This includes a store named ‘Arsenal’ which sells football jerseys and shorts, football boots etc. They mainly sell Men’s wear, such as, gorgeous shoes and jackets.

  

Darjeeling Handicrafts

Stores in Chowrasta mall sell the world famous Gorkha knives ‘khukuri’, The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre sells some fascinating Tibetan Handicrafts and beautiful handmade carpets. Hayden Hall, a catholic social service centre makes the finest woolen items for sale such as mufflers, mittens, leg warmers, sweaters, ponchos, woolen caps etc. Manjusha Bengal Emporium sells Himalyan handicraft items and artifacts including silk products of West Bengal. You can buy Khadi and Khadi products from Gram Shilpa.

Postcards and paintings 

 Das studio and Photo stores are the leading studios in Darjeeling that sell quality postcards and paintings to take back as souvenirs.

Curio Shops 

Some of the most famous curio houses in Darjeeling are Habib Mallick and Nepal Curio; they sell precious stones, birth stones, silver jewelry and diamonds too.

Tea  

Nathmulls, Golden tips, House of tea are some of the leading tea sellers in Darjeeling. They sell the finest and high quality tea. A must have and a must take for all the tourists.

Sweaters 

 Libas, Chandulal, Amilal, Universal stores are some of the shops that sell good quality and branded woolen sweaters and shawls.

Bookstores

  Oxford and Singh Studio has some of the best collection of books. Children books, novels and self help books.

Rink Mall 

It has the very famous Big Bazaar which has become one of the favorites among the locals. Gossip, My Shop, Studio7, Reliance Trend, Adidas etc. are some of the stores located in this mall.

Chowk Bazar 

  If you want to visit the local market for household products, fresh vegetables and fruits, pick up the very famous fireball pickels ‘dallay’ then Chowk Bazar is where your search ends. It’s a typical market both noisy and chaotic.

What not to shop? 

 Avoid buying cheap shawls from mobile roadside shops. You may have to compromise on the quality otherwise.