The Seven Sisters And a Splurge Spree

What holiday is complete without shopping for local goodies to take back as souvenirs? This is true for all parts of our diverse country, but especially so of our hilly north-eastern states – a region that’s just coming into its own on the tourist map. From semi-precious gems, rare antiques, object d’arts, affordable trinkets and decorative pieces to unique herbs and treats – the seven sister states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland are “paradise unexplored”.

Here are some of the more popular marts, and their specialty goods, for you to take note of in your little black book!

Nagaland

Why travel all the way to the far-east to experience live insects being sold as food, when you can take in this curious sight in the Northeast? At the Central Market of Kohima, Nagaland, adventurous travellers can haggle for Borol, a larvae delicacy of hornet grubs. Other slithering foods along with curried meats and a variety of chillies are the stuff of unforgettable holiday photos! You could shop for CDs of Naga music at Kohima’s Dream Café. Located in the heart of this city, the Naga Bazaar has more diverse offerings than Central Market. Here you could find handicrafts too to take back with you.  

Arunachal Pradesh

For those of you that prefer not to carry back insect eggs, this state has more conventional options! The Crafts’ Centre in the state capital, Itanagar, showcases the work of indigenous craftspeople at affordable rates. Their high-selling items are the hand-woven rugs, Monpas masks, bell-metal utensils and lightweight ornaments. Buy yourself traditional costumes made from yarns dyed in natural and vegetable colours. In Tawang, the Handicraft Emporium sells woollen handicrafts like carpets, shawls, wrap-skirts and tribal dresses of the Monpa women. It is easy to find fine porcelain gift-sets in shops across the state. From tea-sets to dinner plates, these crockery items are ornamented with Buddhist art.

Beautiful Arunachal Pradesh ‘

Mizoram 

Visit this weekly Street Market in Aizawal for the theatre of locals hawking everything from live pigs and hens, to naturally crafted containers. Perhaps the only take-away item for you would be the light wicker-work baskets. Try the fruit and vegetables on sale – you won’t find things like bambaoo shoots, edible ferns and the Ghost Chilli in other parts of India. This Mizoram market sits every Saturday. Markets like Bara Bazaar, Ritz Market, Burma Lane and New Market sell various cane products that the state is famous for. Things like hats, vases and utensils in cane are light, inexpensive and excellent gifts. Stalls in these areas deal in bamboo crafts and hand-woven fabrics.

Meghalaya

The Khasis of this state congregate at the Lew Duh market, in Shillong, and sell handmade articles of their daily use such as bows, arrows, clothing accessories, baskets et al. For the tourist, these seemingly mundane things are nothing short of being novelties. Do pick-up pineapple fibre artefacts, carpets, silk scarves, wood carvings and bamboo work from the Government Emporia. The local women take their fashion seriously and modern styles in the traditional brocade are the rage. Try the Beathouse Laitumkhrah for such trendy designs.

Shop for colourful masks in the Northeast

Manipur

The main bazaar of Imphal, Khwairamband, attracts visitors that find the overwhelming presence of women entrepreneurs intriguing. Just about anything is traded from this mart. The locals shop for fruits, vegetables, spices and staples while visitors tend to flock to stalls selling exquisite yards of handloom, gems and trinkets, decorative goods and baskets. Look for a traditional dress called ‘phanek’ at GM Hall and Paona Bazaar markets.

Tripura

Though a variety of freshly dyed handlooms are the main draw at the Purbasa State Emporium in Tripura’s Agartala, some furniture finds await discovery too. Stools, room dividers, side-tables and rustic seats from their furniture section deserve the trouble of being packed and shipped home. The ceiling is covered entirely in coiled cane – a sight to behold! The city’s JB Road is famous for its book stores, where you can pick-up calendars and post-cards picturing scenes from the region, as souvenirs.

Assam

Factor a few extra thousands of rupees in your holiday budget for the famous Muga, Eri and Paat Saris of Assam, if you don’t already own a sari in this variant. You’ll find them beautifully embroidered with zari,. In keeping with responsible travel, and buying, it’s a good idea getting your summer cottons from  the Northeast Network, an NGO based out of the Assamese capital. They mobilize weavers of rural tracts in need of an income, and the rates are pocket friendly. The red and white cotton gamchas – hand-woven muslin scarves – are inexpensive souvenirs that friends and family will expect you to buy for them! Between hectic shopping in the Northeast take a rejuvenating luxury break at the splendid Mayfair Hotel, in Darjeeling, through MakeMyTrip. Sit back, sip on a martini, and take stock of your newfound booty!