Anokhi, Pondicherry

Anokhi in Pondicherry This shop is in a quiet lane in the French Quarters in Pondicherry. Anokhi is a retail chain store for garments , accessories and home furnishings. They started their operations in Jaipur and have been in existence for more than 40 years. The Anokhi garments cotton use block prints extensively .Designs are etched on wooden blocks which are then transferred to the garments. Applique work, bead work and embroidery are also used on the Anokhi garments. Garments@ Anokhi Indian ethnic wear garments and Indo western wear garments are available in Anokhi. The dresses are characterised by simple white and pastel colours with striking flower patterns in pink blue, orange and red. Salwar kameez, palazzo pants, skirts, tunics and one piece dresses are very popular. There are jackets in darker shades such as red, green and indigo blue with the block print motifs. In the centre of the store is large basket with stoles and dupattas in a variety of designs. Home furnishings There is a beautiful display of bed sheets, pillow cases , bed covers and quilts . They are colour coordinated and neatly stacked one on top of the other. They are mostly is pastel colours . Accessories The accessories would include toilet cases, wallets , folders, stoles and jewellery. Anokhi has branches in many Indian cities and towns. The Anokhi products are elegant , pleasing and perfectly tailored. Anokhi has built a community of rural workers and trained them extensively to produce aesthetically pleasing products with superior quality . The average price would be Rs 4000 to Rs 6000/piece.

Kurtis, Salwar Suits

The Metal Craft

The Metal Craft is a small boutique for bronze statues in the French quarters in Pondicherry.

Gifts and Handicrafts, Home Decor

Geethanjali

As you enter Geethanjali, there is an open courtyard with lovely water liles and small stone fountains. It is a beautiful setting for three large rooms stuffed with antique furniture pieces.

Home Decor

Janaki

Janaki is a project to promote conscious and sustainable living. This is a very spacious store on two floors. Garments, pottery, aromatherapy products, hair and skin care products and pottery are available in the store.

Home Decor

Curio Centre, Pondicherry

Within walking distance from the Geethanjali store is Curio Center, which stocks antique wooden furniture and curio pieces .What appears as a small shop form the outside is a great place to browse through colonial antique furniture which are mostly in teak. There are 3 rooms filled with poster beds, consoles, tables and chairs. Beautiful period pieces, lovingly and grandly restored ,are all displayed. They export as well. Curio Centre is one of the best shops in Pondicherry.

Home Decor

Boutique St. Laurent, Pondicherry

Boutique St’Laurent Pondicherry shop in St Laurent street is on the 1st floor. It is a residence converted to a store . As you enter, there is a section for kids garments and casual wear garments for women. Skirts, dresses and light cotton tops ,all ideal summer wear clothes are all well stocked. They also stock tops and tunics made from knitted fabric. There are food products in one room and leather bags , candles, and incense in another room. All the products are made in Auroville,Pondicherry . If you are on a quick tour to Pondicherry and would like to visit an Auroville store in the French quarters, then this an ideal shop to visit. Boutique St’Laurent has guest rooms on the 1st floor starting from Rs 1500 upto Rs 3000 per room per night. Check out Shopkhoj for reviews about markets in Pondicherry

Cosmetics & Skincare, Home Decor

Elegance

Elegance Pondicherry gift shop has quite a selection of artefacts and gifts from all over India . Wood, brass and bronze artefacts, like idols, deities and figurines made in the South of india and Tibetan artefacts like prayer bowls and chimes are all available . There is one large room dedicated to jewellery from Rajasthan and Tibet . Typically these are jewellery made from silver, semiprecious stones and beads . There is a great deal of colour and variety in the jewellery. Another room is stocked with carpets , readymade shawls and salwar suits . As it is a fairly large shop, take your time browsing before you make your choices . There are also other stores selling similar stuff close by, so you can walk across and check the prices of similar items, just to be doubly sure before you decide to buy something here.”

Carpets, Shawls and Scarves, Gifts and Handicrafts, Home Decor

Cluny Embroidery Centre, Pondicherry

If you are interested to buy or place an order for embroidered home furnishings , then Cluny Embroidery Center is the place to shop in Pondicherry. The store is housed in a typical old style building that has large rooms and high ceilings. A group of women are busy working on creating these beautiful masterpieces. Shop for table cloths, bed spreads , dinner sets, bath towels, table napkins , pillow cases and bed covers and stuff like that . They are all in white cotton fabric with light pastel embroidery. The price typically is around Rs 15000 for an 8 seater embroidered table cloth with a set of 6 napkins. While the price is not cheap, the work is so pleasing ,with light colours, and fine embroidery ,that you would definitely want to pick up something here. You can either customize your orders or buy from their existing collection. This institution is run by sisters from the Cluny convent. They also have rooms to rent out to guests . The tariff is around Rs 3000/night for a double room.

Furnishing

Decraft

“Colourful and bright sequined tops in chiffon , salwar suits ,scarves and stoles and shawls are all on display . The owner is from Kashmir and hence the prominent display of garments and accessories from that region. They also stock small jewellery pieces, bags and footwear . Small silver earrings and bracelets with beads and small purses make up the collection. However, the fancy footwear with straps in colourful threadwork, silver and some beads are the most attractive items in this tiny store. “ Pondicherry shopping in the French Quarters is full of similar small shops with a variety of products.

Imitation Jewellery, Shawls and Scarves, Shoes and Bags

Treasure

Treasure is a small Pondicherry shop . The owners are from Kashmir. They stock authentic pashmina shawls ,woolen shawls and carpets. They definitely have a good collection of shalwls. While some are just plain shawls others come with embroidery and lace work . Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it. They were first woven in India. These shawls are made of Pashm or Pashmina, which is the wool of a species of the wild Asian mountain goat,which is a special breed of goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayas in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Pashmina shawls are hand spun, woven and embroidered in Nepal and Kashmir. Pure pashmina is a rather gauzy, open weave, as the fibre cannot tolerate high tension. The most popular pashmina fabric is a 70% pashmina/30% silk blend, but a 50/50 combination is also common.They are known for their softness and warmth. The also stock some beautiful carpets in addition to a limited section of handicrafts from Tibet, Nepal and India.You can check out the prices of carpets and shawls form other shops that are closeby ,before you finalise your purchases here.” They also stock costume jewelry and jewels, antiques and figures in bronze and brass, papier mache items, home decor, furnishing and furniture.

Carpets, Shawls and Scarves

AURA

The location of AURA is just opposite to the beach on the Promenade , which is a great spot for Pondicherry shopping. This shop is a unit of the Auro Service Trust , run by the Aurobindo Society. It is a fairly spacious shop .They stock products from Auroville , such as candles, incense and other aroma products . There is a reasonably good selection of pottery items as well ,like tea pots, bowls, cups and saucers and incense holders . There are some handicrafts, wooden artefacts and a few books on the Aurobindo Ashram . The selection is not very large but you can always shop for knick knacks when you do visit AURA. They soon will come up with café and travel information.

Cosmetics & Skincare