Nestled amidst picturesque lush greenery and the stately Himalayas, Mussoorie has earned the well-deserved title of ‘Queen of the Hills.’ The beauty of Mussoorie and the child-like nostalgia attached to it makes it a perfect destination for family holidays. Shopping is Mussoorie is yet another travelling experience that you must not miss. While Mussoorie is always known for sightseeing, the markets here are lesser know and that’s the focus of our blog here. These quaint little markets are worth exploring and picking from pahadi nick-nacks.
I am a big fan of responsible tourism and shopping from local vendors is important to support sustainable livelihood especially when it is a town perched on a hilltop with definite struggle of mundane life activities.
1. Kulri Bazaar | Good Food Too
One of the most renowned shopping hubs in Mussoorie, Kulri Bazaar may easily be called a one-stop destination for shopaholics as it offers a wide range of stylish apparels, artifacts, and handicrafts at reasonable prices. It also boasts some amazing eateries serving Tamilian, Tibetan, and Gujarati cuisines. The bazaar is an ideal place to buy antiques, souvenirs, and funky jewelry. After some serious shopping, take your kids to the nearby Company Garden for a fun-filled evening and a cool boat ride.
2. Tibetan Market | Buy Authentic Woollens
Dotted with little shops selling colorful woolen goodies straight from Tibet, this market is always abuzz with vitality. It has excellent cafes and bakeries selling lip-smacking Tibetan cuisine, delectable cakes, and pastries for your kids to relish. Also, you may find all kinds of items ranging from clothes to electronic devices. This market is known for the beautifully-crafted Tibetan prayer wheels engraved with Tibetan inscriptions and adorned with bright ribbons. Check out the beautiful shawls, sweaters, scarves, and stoles made from Tibetan wool. And while you are on a shopping spree, remember to put on your bargaining hat!
3. The Mall Road | Meet Ruskin Bond
The quintessential Mall Road market of all hill stations, this one lane is also laced with shops and is ideal for a shopping in Mussoorie while you walk amidst picturesque settings. One of the favorite places to visit in Mussoorie, is a primary shopping hub. It is popular for the wide range of clothing material, electronics, and food items on offer. Apart from these, the foremost attraction for your kids is a horse-ride that you may take from here to the point where you board the cable car to Gun Hill. The ropeway ride is sure to exhilarate your little ones.
Pro Tip: Ruskin Bond, comes to Cambridge Book Depot on Mall Road on Saturdays to sign books and meet people.
4. Himalayan Weavers | Indigenous Products
Himalayan Weavers, located on the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road, is the best place to buy shawls and scarves made from authentic, high-quality Pashmina wool. A must-visit for ecologically conscious people, this market boasts amazing hand-woven products, colored with eco-friendly, natural dyes. After shopping to your heart’s content, pay a visit to the Jabarkhet Wildlife Reserve, situated just 700 meters from Himalayan Weavers. Your kids will have a great time trekking and enjoying the flora and fauna.
Shopping in Mussoorie is fun and part of the trip because you haven’t seen a hill station until you have walked twice on the Mall Road 🙂
It was interesting to see some authentic and eco-friendly products made by the local women of Mussoorie and adjoining hill towns. I always try to buy from such places as it boosts the local economy, more so the small economies that are heavily dependent on tourism for livelihood.
2 comments
Mussoorie is one of the best places to visit in India any time of the year. It has developed quite well as a tourist destination. It should be visited by everyone at least once.
Amazing article