The delightful and colourful bazaars of Rajasthan still have the distinct easy-going atmosphere, typical of the medieval times. Nothing much seems to have changed till today - not even the commodities in the market.

The numerous fairs and festivals in this sparsely populated state are essentially an opportunity for people from far and wide to converge and shop.

In the electrically charged cacophonic atmosphere, one can pick up exotic trinkets, beads, bangles, old tribal silver jewellery, a range of handicrafts and of course, animals. 

This is true of the towns and cities as well. Chaotic and noisy, people jostling against each other, stray cows butting in, lots of bargaining....

Though a bulky item to carry home, the woollen carpets of Bikaner and Jaipur (generally based on Persian and Caucasian styles) and the traditional cotton durries (cool light rugs, mostly in pastel shades with a sparse use of geometrical motifs) can liven up even the dullest of floors.

Rajasthan became famous for its jewellery industry from very early times, being an important source of precious and semi-precious stones such as emerald, garnet, agate, amethyst, topaz and lapiz lazuli.

Though Jaipur is internationally renowned for its exquisite Kundan (the art of setting precious stones in gold) and meena (enamel) jewellery, meenakari is also done in Nathdwara near Udaipur.

Lac and glass bangles are a special attraction of Rajasthan and are made in a variety of colours and designs in Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Silver is commonly worn by rural women and one can pick up old tribal silver jewellery as well.

Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaisalmer are traditionally known for their footwear. Incredibly comfortable and sturdy, the jootis have artistically emroidered uppers.

Leather is also an essential raw material for making musical instruments, especially percussion instruments (such as the tabla and dhol) and the stringed instruments (like kamaycha) used by Rajasthani folk musicians.