Things to buy in Kerala

If you want to shop for certain things in Kerala, you can tell us. Here4Trip will arrange a suitable Kerala tour itinerary for you where you will find time to shop. We have also planned some exciting tour plans in our Kerala Tourism Packages for Family. We can give you a list of all the worthy items you should buy in Kerala. This is essential, as without it, you will be confused as to what things to buy on your Kerala trip.

Spices

Ask anybody and they will tell you that spices are the number one item to buy in Kerala. Spices have been grown here for centuries and ancient traders traded in spices with the Western World. Even today you can buy locally grown spices in Kerala. They are special as they have authentic flavors and fragrant aromas. The spices you can buy in Kerala are cardamom, cloves, cinnamons, turmeric, star anise, ginger, and others.

Places to buy spices in Kerala: local markets in Trivandrum, Kochi, night bazaars, Spices Board’s Spice Park in Puttady, Spices Board outlets, Connemara Market in Trivandrum, food outlets, local stores in Kerala

Tea and Coffee

We would suggest you buy tea and coffee in Kerala. You will not believe that tourists visit Kerala especially to buy these. The tea and coffee varieties which you will get in Kerala are just amazing. You will not get such tea and coffee varieties anywhere else in India. The reason is the rolling hills of the Nilgiris, the cool climate, the high altitude, and the enrichment of the soil. You can have a stroll in the tea and coffee estates and taste them in the in-house tasting centers.

Places to buy tea in Kerala: Local tea shops, factory outlets, grocery stores, and certified shops in Munnar, Wayanad, Vagamon, Kolukkumalai. Also in Kerala State Tea Board outlets in Kochi, Idukki, Wayanad, Munnar

Places to buy coffee in Kerala: Coffee Board outlets in Idukki, Kochi, Palakkad, Vandiperiyar, grocery stores, plantation outlets in Wayanad, Idukki, Gavi, Nenmara, Peermade, local coffee shops

Cashew Nuts and Banana Chips

We will help you plan a suitable tour itinerary in our Best Kerala Trip Package if you want to buy locally grown cashew nuts or banana chips. These two products are so popular in Kerala, that people visit the markets specially to buy them. The banana chips here are known as Nenthra-kaya Upperi in the local Kerala language by the Keralite people. This is common, as bananas are grown in many places in Kerala. You can see the workers slice away the chips from the banana and fry them until you get the crispy banana chips, salted and spiced. Cashew Nuts are the other thing you must buy in Kerala. You can visit a cashew farm or buy at a local food store.

Places to buy banana chips and cashew nuts in Kerala: local grocery stores, markets, malls, supermarkets, street side stalls in Kerala

Kasavu Mundu And Dresses

If you are in Kerala visit and holiday season during the festival times, you will see people wearing the Kasavu Mundu. This is a typical dress worn by Keralite people, and it is made of cotton fibre with zari embroidery on the edges. Kasavu Mundi has remained the utmost traditional garment of men and women across Kerala. You will find it amazing to know that Keralite people wear Kasavu Mundi garments at these seasons of festivals, weddings, ceremonies, and while visiting temples. Many shops spread across Kerala offer these garments and textiles for sale.

Places to buy Kasavu Mundi dress in Kerala: Kochi, Kottayam, Thiruvalla, saree emporiums, Kerala tourism outlets

Aroma Oils

You can explore our Tamilnadu Kerala Tour Packages and find a day to shop for aromatic oils. You get spectacular and high-fragrance oils in Kerala. They are of excellent purity and authentic in taste and aroma. You can treat skin infections, cough and cold, allergies, joint pains, migraine, and many other ailments by using these oils. It is generally, the Keralite women who make the best and more use of these oils for beautifying skin care and cosmetic use. The oils have fragrances that range from sandalwood, rose, sunflower, orange, jasmine, lemongrass, lavender and eucalyptus. Places to buy aroma oils in Kerala: Certified Spice Board outlets in Thekkady, Varkala, Kochi, Kumily

Coir Products

You may very well know that coir is a by-product of the coconut. Kerala has a vast coastline and coconut trees grow here in abundance. You get coir from the coconut. These are the fibers that cover the coconut's outer shells. Coir mats are the most commonly used products out of coir. Other products made out of coir are brushes, rugs, wall hangings, carpets, ropes, etc. You can find a reserve day in our Best Kerala Trip Package to buy coir products.

Places to buy coir products in Kerala: handicraft emporiums, Theertham Natural Coconut & Coir Products (Palakkad), Coir Fair in Kumarakom and Alleppey, showrooms, handicraft shops, Connemara Market (Thiruvananthapuram), Kochi street markets, Coconut Product Impex outlet and Techno Exports in Alleppey

Elephant Figurines

When you visit Kerala do not forget to observe the elephants, because they are very abundant in the land. The Asian Elephant, in fact, is most striking animal found in Kerala state. And this is why you get so many varieties of elephant figurines in Kerala. We would like to visit Kerala specially to buy these elephant figurines. In fact, we take you to various parts of Kerala so that you may view the lifestyle of elephants in the wild jungle environment. In our Kerala Tourism Packages for Family there is ample free time to buy these elephant figurines. The real live elephant is widely used in Kerala in temples and auspicious festival season. And you will find it hard to believe that Guruvayur Temple has a separate palace made only for these elephants.

Places to buy elephant figurines in Kerala: handicraft and craft emporiums in Thiruvananthapuram, street markets in Ernakulam, local markets in Thrissur and Thiruvankulam

Kathakali Masks

Do you know that a simple thing like the Kathakali mask is used in so many different ways in Kerala? We offer our Full Kerala Tour Packages for you if you want to visit the markets in Kerala. The masks are like a cultural symbol of Kerala. The dancers who wear these masks are trained artists who perform Kathakali performances in temples and festival times. The common man can buy keychains, wall hangings, door knobs, souvenirs, fridge magnets, and replicas that have the Kathakali mask motifs.

Places to buy Kathakali masks in Kerala: handicraft shops, emporiums in Kochi, Thrissur, Thekkady, BM Handicrafts (Ernakulam), Kairali Arts & Crafts (Thiruvananthapuram)

Coconut Shell handicraft items

The humble coconut shell has so many uses. It is no hidden secret fact that the coconut is used extensively in almost every way to make large range variety of coconut-based products. Every part of coconut is used to make some type of product. The outer shell is specially used to make wonderful artistic artworks and crafts. The artisans of Kerala make this by their own hands and use as little machinery as possible. They make bowls, toys, hookahs, vessels, cups and more.

Places to buy coconut shell handicrafts in Kerala: handicraft stores and emporiums (Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Kochi, Alleppey, Thrissur)

Temple Paintings and Mural Art

You all know that Kerala is a land of temples. This is why you should buy the mural art pieces in Kerala. The temple paintings can be found in many emporiums and craft shops. The delicate carvings and the incredible architecture of the temples are very famous things in Kerala. Generally, you will find folktales and religious epics in this mural art. You will find our Best Kerala Trip Package to explore the markets and buy this artwork for your home décor.

Places to buy mural art in Kerala: art and craft shops in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kovalam Beach, Anokhi shops

Sandalwood figurines

Another thing which we would urge you to buy in Kerala are the figurines made of sandalwood. We can arrange for shopping in our Full Kerala Tour Packages. Sandalwood figurines are worth buying because of their incredible carvings. Sandalwood is grown abundantly in Kerala and this is just the reason why you should buy it. The common sculptures you will find in sandalwood are the deities of Hindu religion, snake boats, Kathakali dance postures, and animals.

Places to buy sandalwood figurines in Kerala: Government handicraft shops in Thiruvananthapuram, art and craft shops in Guruvayur, MG Road (Kochi), Thapasyaa Handicrafts (Kollam)

Jewelry

Almost every woman knows how precious the jewelry to them is. South India, especially, Kerala has the best jewelry, which is both colorful and intricate. The lustrous nature of this jewelry attracts women almost like a bee to a flower. This jewelry with its dazzling Malayali origins and artistic beuaty on it is studded with pearls and semi-precious stones. Dancers in temples, festival times, and weddings are the best times to wear this type of Malayali jewelry in Kerala. Heavy ornaments like Choker necklaces, gold necklaces, gold rings, and bracelets studded with gold are the best pieces to buy.

Places to buy jewelry in Kerala: Kochi jewelry shops on MG Road, jewelers in Kochi, Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kannur

Aranmula Kannadi (local rare mirrors)

In Kerala, you get a special hand-made mirror and it’s name is Aranmula Kannadi. This locally made mirror is quite rare and only made in the village of Aranmula. You will get to buy this mirror in many shops in Aranmula village in Kerala. You should explore our Kerala Full Tour Package for a visit and buy this mirror. The mirror is a hand-held mirror and is made of various metal alloys. Only the families who live here know about the composition of metals. It oozes shine, luster, and reflection. Places to buy Aranmula Kannadi mirror in Kerala: Aranmula village

Nettur petti (caskets)

This particular handicraft item is called Nettur Petti. It is a type of jewelry box which is made in Nettur in Kerala. It is also known as Nettur Casket. It has a distinct shape and style. Nettur Petti is a local craft item and rosewood or locally procured wood is used for its manufacture. The artisans of Kerala make this a collecto’s item by using dazzling patterns and colors. It is a sort of collector’s item and will be a home décor item for your home. We present our Best Kerala Trip Package where you can find a day to shop around the market for this unique item.

Places to buy Nettur Petti in Kerala: flea markets and local bazaars (Thrissur, Thekkady, Kochi, Trivandrum), handicraft shops and emporiums

Nettipattam (traditional caparisons)

The elephants are adorned with this decorative garment called Nettipattam during festival times. This is like jewelry for the elephant and is made of copper and gold. It is a highly decorative art piece which is only used to decorate the elephants during their festival march. The mahouts adorn the forehead of the elephants with this Nettipattam. We have kept the Kerala Tourism Packages Price to the low side minimum so that you can also view the elephants.

Places to buy traditional Nettipattam elephant adornment in Kerala: local shops of handicraft Kochi, craft emporiums in Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram

Nilavilakku (traditional oil lamps)

If you are coming to Kerala for the first time, we offer you our Full Kerala Tour Packages. In this, you can explore the shops and buy the traditional Kerala oil lamps which are called Nilavilakku. Girls of Kerala households are given the task of lighting these lamps and it is also a sacred thing that girls are burning them. These oil lamps are also lit at the times of festivals and dance performances. These oil lamps are among the most religious and important part of ceremonies and opening of festivals. They are usually sculpted in the shapes of peacock, a prayer lamp, or a multi-level tower.

Places to buy Nilavilakku oil lamps in Kerala: retail outlets, religious shops, Kuruppam Road (Thrissur), government-owned handicraft item shops

Chundan Vallam (snake boat models)

Snake Boat is rather a strangely popular thing for locals in Kerals. Locals of Keralite origin also famously call Urus. The backwater-dwelling fisher folk of Kerala floating in these and commute in such boats. In backwaters they find this very useful to use the narrow design of these boats to navigate through the calm waters. Handicraft shops usually keep the miniature toy models of these boats. Sometimes it also normal to spot a boat model of Kerala houseboat. These houseboats have become iconic Kerala symbols that people now know of in India. You can buy these toy models and keep them at home as home decor items.

Places to buy Chundan Vallam in Kerala: art and craft emporiums (Alleppey, Kumarakom), retail shops and handicraft stores (Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur), local street markets, flea markets in Kochi

Pulpaya (straw mats)

You may not believe that the simple-looking straw mat is Kerala’s oldest woven handicraft item. You will find shopping to be one of the activities in our Best Kerala Trip Package. You can shop for these straw mats, which have bright colors and diverse patterns. These mats are made of a type of grass called papyrus, which is called Korappullu in the local language. Men and women used these mats for sleeping and sitting. These are not just household items but also decorative as well.

Places to buy Pulpaya in Kerala: showrooms, handicraft shops, emporiums, flea bazaars, garment shops, factory outlets, street bazaars (Palakkad, Thrissur, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode

Ramacham Vishari (hand-held fans)

There are days when the weather in Kerala is warm and hot. At these times, people use a simple hand-held fan called Ramacham Vishari. Locals use this fan very much and you will find it in their homes. You can purchase Ramacham Vishari hand-held fans in popular shops and take them home to show off to your friends. The name of this fan comes from Ramacham Vishari which is a common herb. The locals have long time used this herb for various diseases and infection treatment cures. This fan is sprinkled with water and then used for fanning, so it gives cool air. In shops spread all over Kerala land, you will find bright design and color varieties.

Places to buy Ramacham Vishari in Kerala: Trivandrum handicraft shops, emporium shops (Kochi, Alleppey, Thrissur, Trivandrum)

Bronzeware

We will always suggest you go for bronze metal sculpture shopping in Kerala trip tour. There is nothing more perfect way to visit Kerala shopping than our planned Kerala Full Tour Package. The usual places where you can expect to search for these special decorative oil lamps are state-owned emporiums or handicraft shops. Some other items made of bronze are kitchen utensils, lamps, water containers, and bronze plates.

Places to buy bronzeware in Kerala: shops and retail outlets, handicraft shops, Mattupetty Dam Market (Munnar), Irinjalakuda (Thrissur), Payyannur and Kunhimangalam (Kannur), Pallippuram (Palakkad), Shilpakala Handicrafts (Kochi)