Ooty is famous for coffee, tea, homemade chocolates, eucalyptus and other aromatic oils, spices, toda jewellery and clothing, and ofcourse a wide range of woolen clothing.
Commercial Road in Ooty is the main shopping place. There are numerous shops selling clothing, footwear, homemade chocolates, toda shawls and jewellery, etc. Toda shawls are the ones woven with hand using black and red threads on a white background. There are many government run establishments as well selling a wide variety of items. But, you must check out the following places for value for money.
Woolen clothing
There is a Tibetan market just opposite the famous Botanical Garden in Ooty. There are rows of small shops, all looking similar. They are mostly run by the women folk of the Tibetan community. In the shops, you will find exclusive woolen wear including sweaters, shawls, caps, jerseys, cardigans, pullovers, jackets, sweatshirts, jumpers, hoodies, etc. While bargaining is not entertained, the prices are reasonable. Shawls with embroidery and stone work come really cheap. Please remember to look out for beautiful woolen stalls in plain as well as multi-colours which look elegant over your Kurtis. They cost from Rs: 180 to Rs:250 only. They are however priced over Rs:600 in showrooms in Chennai! You will also find lovely clothes for children at affordable prices. It is a sheer pleasure walking around the Tibetian market. You will often come across Tibetan women folk, busy with their knitting while carrying babies on their backs. The cute little babies with tiny eyes, patiently clinging to their mother's back are priceless.
Antique Jewelery and Handicrafts
There is a place called Big Shop on the commercial road where you will find exquisite toda jewellery and other antique jewellery apart from handicrafts. They are in the business for several years.
Genuine Leather items
There is a small store called SKINS in YMCA complex just after the commercial road. It is a few yards away from Big Shop. You will be amazed at the variety of things this tiny shop has to offer. You will find anything in pure leather in this place including - leather handbags, purses, wallets, shoes, boots, leather toys, belts, key chains, a wide range of leather jackets including some with fur which are stunning. They have a wide range of collections and you will not know what to pick up. They also have many different gift items like bangle cases, jewellery boxes, diaries - all in pure leather.
The store is run by a tribal family in the Nilgiris, and it is the only shop in Ooty which sells genuine leather goods which are guaranteed. If you are looking for fancy handbags, this is not the place. All they sell is made of pure leather - sheep, calf and goat. Please also make sure to check out the hats which they sell made out of Camel leather. The leather animal toys are elegant and look very real.
You can bargain, and will realize the prices are very much affordable when compared to the showrooms in big cities selling the same items!
Cheers
Commercial Road in Ooty is the main shopping place. There are numerous shops selling clothing, footwear, homemade chocolates, toda shawls and jewellery, etc. Toda shawls are the ones woven with hand using black and red threads on a white background. There are many government run establishments as well selling a wide variety of items. But, you must check out the following places for value for money.
Woolen clothing
There is a Tibetan market just opposite the famous Botanical Garden in Ooty. There are rows of small shops, all looking similar. They are mostly run by the women folk of the Tibetan community. In the shops, you will find exclusive woolen wear including sweaters, shawls, caps, jerseys, cardigans, pullovers, jackets, sweatshirts, jumpers, hoodies, etc. While bargaining is not entertained, the prices are reasonable. Shawls with embroidery and stone work come really cheap. Please remember to look out for beautiful woolen stalls in plain as well as multi-colours which look elegant over your Kurtis. They cost from Rs: 180 to Rs:250 only. They are however priced over Rs:600 in showrooms in Chennai! You will also find lovely clothes for children at affordable prices. It is a sheer pleasure walking around the Tibetian market. You will often come across Tibetan women folk, busy with their knitting while carrying babies on their backs. The cute little babies with tiny eyes, patiently clinging to their mother's back are priceless.
Antique Jewelery and Handicrafts
There is a place called Big Shop on the commercial road where you will find exquisite toda jewellery and other antique jewellery apart from handicrafts. They are in the business for several years.
Genuine Leather items
There is a small store called SKINS in YMCA complex just after the commercial road. It is a few yards away from Big Shop. You will be amazed at the variety of things this tiny shop has to offer. You will find anything in pure leather in this place including - leather handbags, purses, wallets, shoes, boots, leather toys, belts, key chains, a wide range of leather jackets including some with fur which are stunning. They have a wide range of collections and you will not know what to pick up. They also have many different gift items like bangle cases, jewellery boxes, diaries - all in pure leather.
The store is run by a tribal family in the Nilgiris, and it is the only shop in Ooty which sells genuine leather goods which are guaranteed. If you are looking for fancy handbags, this is not the place. All they sell is made of pure leather - sheep, calf and goat. Please also make sure to check out the hats which they sell made out of Camel leather. The leather animal toys are elegant and look very real.
You can bargain, and will realize the prices are very much affordable when compared to the showrooms in big cities selling the same items!
Cheers
I shall definitely check out the leather product this time. Thanks Sumi :) cheers, Viji
ReplyDeleteHi Viji, Glad you found the information useful. Hope you have a good trip to Ooty.
ReplyDeletebest places to visit in ooty
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