Souvenirs to pick while travelling in India

Travelling is a full-fledged project. From finalising a destination to working out the logistics, these aspects do sneak up on you no matter how much we like to tell people that we are all about spontaneity. It is so much better if we are in the know.

Similarly, visiting a place and only bringing back “good memories” won’t work for us. Bringing back a trinket or two from travels is so much better. Be it for yourself or as gift items for your loved ones, you need to bring back these iconic souvenirs from your travels.

When visiting West Bengal, look for the wooden dolls from Natungram. These wooden dolls are unique to say the least. The dolls get their name from the village of Natungram in Burdwan district, West Bengal, where doll-making dates back to many centuries. Mainly made out of gamar wood, Natungram dolls come in various types–Gour-Nitai, wooden owl, Krishna, royal couple etc. Most popular among them is the owl, they are quirky and colourful.

Bring back these bamboo products from your visit to Arunachal. They are sustainably produced, good for the environment and beautiful to look at. These handcrafted bamboo products can (and should) be used in your daily life too.

Get these beautiful and unique looking wooden toys from Andhra Pradesh. They get their name from Kondapalli in Krishna district, where the art originated hundreds of years ago. The residents of Bommala Colony make these toys, which is also why these toys are also known as Bommala Koluvu. These toys are carved out of Tella Poniki wood from the Kondapalli Hills.

The very popular unique black pottery from the village of Longpi (Nungbi) in Ukhrul district, Manipur, can be a stunning addition to your kitchen. This unique pottery is completely handcrafted. The mixture of clay and powdered stone is kneaded, rolled out, and shaped by the potters, just by using their hands.

Madhubani paintings need no introduction, but for those who are unaware of these beauties, Madhubani paintings come from Mithila, Bihar. These paintings are fine works of art, made with such precision and require a lot of time and patience. They will be a grand addition to your home.