Shopping in Mysore

Shopping is a proven medicine for the minds of an explorer. If you are heading to Mysore over the weekend, well, you are lucky to be heading to an extravagant shopping destination. Famous for its silk sarees, rosewood artefacts, sandalwood products, coffee powder, to name a few, Mysore is nothing less than a blessing for the shopaholic in you.  Famous for its rich cultural heritage, the city is located 143 km away from Bengaluru. 

Whether you want to relish the infamous Mysore Pak or wish to take back home rock sculptures as souvenirs for friends and family, Mysore offers a splendid shopping experience.

Here is a list of the items that you must check out if you are headed for shopping in Mysore:

1. Mysore Pak

For the truest love of sweets, indulging yourself in Mysore Pak, the legendary sweet from Mysore should be on your to-shop list. The origin of the sweet goes back to almost 70 years back when the king of Mysuru requested a certain cook to produce a unique sweet that would bear the name of the city. The cooks were referred to as, 'Nalapaka' the person who prepares sugar syrup or 'paka'. He made a rich satisfying delicacy with the goodness of flour, sugar and butter, naming it as Mysore Pak.

Where to shop: Guru Sweet Mart, Sayyaji Rao Road. Other stores that you can visit, are Indra Sweets, Annex Bombay Tiffanys and Mahalaxmi Sweets which have concurred their own delicious variants of Mysore Pak.
Timings: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

2. Sandalwood Products

Where to shop: The Government Sandalwood Oil Factory, Kuvempu Nagar
Timings: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM and 14:00 PM - 16:00 PM. Closed on Sundays

3. Coffee

As a result of its proximity to Coorg which produces the best coffee in the nation, coffee-addicts must make a mental note to take back one of the finest coffee powders sold in the country. A powerful network of wholesale dealers and retailers also get coffee from other nearby areas such as Sakleshpur and Chikmagalur.

Where to shop: Coffee Stores in and around Gandhi Square and Devraja Market
Timings: 8:00 AM - 14:00 PM

4. Wooden Toys (Channapatna Toys)

The craftsmen and artisans of Channapatna, a small town near Mysore, have mastered the art of producing unusually attractive wooden towns. During Tipu Sultan's rule, Persian artists imparted lessons on the art of crafting wooden toys. These colourful, affordable and unique wooden pieces of art make up for magnificent souvenirs.

Where to shop: Mysore Handicrafts Shop, Sayyaji Road
Timings: 10:00 AM

5. Khadi Cotton

The pride of wearing a hand-woven Khadi cotton cloth is exceptional. In Mysore, you can get both cloth material as well as readymade stitched Khadi cotton. This classic fabric is dyed with exclusive organic colours. There is also the facility of getting it stitched in the city itself during your stay as these shops also tend to have tailors.

Where to shop: From the town of Melukote
Timings: 11:00 AM

6. Mysore Paintings

The city is influenced by different art and crafts which is showcased in the artefacts that one can get here. The traditional art of Mysore paintings date back to the Ajanta era in the seventh century B.C. While you are on a shopping spree in Mysore, do not forget to pick some paintings depicting mythological characters and events with intense detailing.

Where to shop: Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium
Timings: 10:30 AM

7. Incense sticks

A paste composed of spices and gum is rolled around a thin bamboo stick, immersed in fragrant oils, when burnt releases heart-warming aroma. Incense sticks in jasmine, rose, sandalwood, lily and much more are worth collecting from the city of Mysore.

Where to shop: KR Circle
Timings: 10:00 AM

8. Rosewood Souvenirs

Imagine stunning artefacts carved out of rosewood skillfully. Find it hard to believe? It is not. Talented artisans here carve figures out of rosewood with the use different techniques. These are termite-resistant. These priceless decorative designs, patterns and figurines are noteworthy souvenirs.

Where to shop: Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium
Timings: 10:30 AM

9. Silk Sarees

The booming silk industry in Mysore speaks volumes for the art of rearing silkworms and producing silk in the region. The golden Zari border beautifying the graceful silk sarees are a mandatory add-on to your wardrobe.

Where to shop: KSIC Mysore Silk Showroom
Timings: 10:30 AM

10. Stone Sculptures

K. Venkatappa was a gifted sculptor who started carving stunning figures out of soapstone. Sculpting into soapstone is a skill which requires an exemplary level of patience and time. The soapstone commonly known as Krishna Shila is available in multiple colours. Shopping for these rock sculptures is a must if you want to adorn your home with a piece of intricate art.

Where to shop: Mandi Mohalla, Ashoka Road
Timings: 11:00 AM

Shopping Malls in Mysore

While the city has abundant markets, small and big stores, one also has a choice of shopping malls to visit. Garuda Mall, Mall of Mysore, Forum Centre City Mall and BM Habitat Mall are the best entertainment and shopping stations in the city. Be it silk sarees or Mysore Pak, these malls guarantee a luxurious shopping experience. The food courts at the malls cater to the taste buds of every cuisine, be it a Mysore Masala Dosa or a burger, you get it all here.

Markets in Mysore

• Devaraja Market
• Government Sandalwood Oil Factory
• Government Silk Factory
• Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium
• Ashoka Road
  

Shopping in a city of cultural and artistic wealth is not only a lifetime experience but also enriching for the mind and soul. If you are planning for a weekend getaway to the historic city of Mysore, make sure to refer to this shopping guide to make your shopping adventure worth remembering.