The beautiful city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest inhabited cities in India. Ancient temples in the Dravidian style of architecture, age-old traditions, and modernity co-exist peacefully along the banks of the serene Vagai River. The former capital of the Pandyan dynasty is a hub for religious and cultural tourism. But it has, over the years, also transformed into an exciting tourist hub for cuisine and shopping. Shopping in Madurai is a sensory delight that offers tourists a spectrum of retail possibilities! From exquisite silk and cotton to delightful batiks, Madurai has it all! Here to make shopping in Madurai more exciting is our list of some of the best local places for all the shopaholics out there!
Begin your shopping in Madurai with a visit to Avani Moola Street – the centre of the famed handicraft industry of Madurai. This buzzing street is famous for its gorgeous handicrafts, bags, and clothing. Prepare to be greeted by a riot of colours and sounds as you take a stroll down the street – an absolute must-do for tourists seeking experience in Madurai.
Shopping in Madurai would be incomplete without paying a visit to the Cottage Arts Emporium. It is among the best places to shop in Madurai. The handicrafts found here are unparalleled – from exquisite shawls, clothing, artwork, or brass work. Not only will you find the most intricately-made handicrafts, but a visit here also gives you a taste of the country’s ancient and rich craft traditions
Visit Puthu Mandapam, where you will find tailors working rhythmically, with their machines humming almost hypnotically – right there on the streets of Puthu Mandapam! This market is located in an old pillared hall inside the eastern entrance of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. It remains crowded irrespective of what day of the week it is. Tourists can hire the services of these skilled tailors who can stitch cotton and printed fabrics within an hour or two. Apart from the group of tailors sewing an array of colourful garments, Puthu Mandapam is also known for metal, aluminium, and bronze vessels. It’s absolutely worth a visit to make the most of shopping in Madurai.
Established in the year 1874, Hajeemoosa is an iconic location known for being one of the best cloth markets in Madurai. Hajeemoosa is your one-stop destination for beautiful fabrics with an endless variety of prints and colours. This is the place to be if you’re looking to add a dreamy Banarasi silk or Kanchipuram saree to your wardrobe collection! The store also stocks several high-fashion, lifestyle and luxury brands for women, men, and children, home décor, and cosmetics.
If you’re drawn to markets that seem to sell everything you could need, Chithirai Street in Madurai is the place for you! You’re sure to find almost anything here. It’s no wonder why Chithirai Street is among the most famous shopping hubs in Madurai. The famous Cottage Arts Emporium in Madurai is also located on Chithirai Street.
Rajmahal Silks is another excellent place in Madurai to buy fabrics. It is the leading textile house in the city and houses a unique range of silk sarees and dhotis.
The Poompuhar Sales showroom is located opposite the railway junction. It is a vibrant hub selling items such as brass lamps, wood carvings, and stone carvings. Art aficionados will find a range of Thanjavur artwork and letter holders at Poompuhar Sales Showroom.
Millennials and Gen-Xers, don’t despair since Madurai has quite a few contemporary shopping options as well! Here to solve all your shopping woes is Masi Street – a favourite among the trendy youth in the city. Masi Street has a vast collection of stylish accessories, sure to please the aesthetic sensibilities of the young and urban crowd. This kaleidoscope of colors and stalls functions as a cheap clothes market or a place for trendy fashion accessories.
The Madurai mall is a famous shopping mall in Madurai. The mall contains many boutiques, supermarkets, and jewellery stores to warm the hearts of any shopping enthusiast!
The Vishaal De Mal – located in Gokhale Road, Chinnachokkikulam – is credited to have ushered in the large-mall culture in Madurai. This expansive mall contains several shops, restaurants, and theme parks- making it an excellent location for an outing with friends or family.
Milan’em Shopping Mall is another destination that should feature on your list if you’re shopping in Madurai. With several stores and brands under its roof, this shopping mall in Madurai has some great clothes, footwear, accessories, and jewelry on offer! The mall is also immensely popular for its cinema hall and food court.
When in Madurai, follow the path to Thangamayil Jewellery. It is a store that contains some of the best jewelry in the city. They deal with exquisite gold and gemstones, as well as exotic wall hangings that will add a dash of luxury to the walls of any home.
There’s nothing like a hearty meal or snack after a great day of shopping in Madurai! And you will have definitely worked up an appetite post a pleasant visit to the bustling markets and stores in the city! Dig into a beautiful plate of fluffy idlis at the Madurai Idli Shop, Meena’s Idli Stall, or the Amar Mess.
It is known for its dizzying variety of crispy Dosas which is one of the best things to do in Madurai . The Ayappan Tiffin Home dishes out 40 types of dosas – each one different and more delicious than the next! We would recommend a visit to the Konar Mess that serves the signature Karai Dosa – a delectable variation that contains one base layer of plain dosa, a middle layer with an egg omelet, and a top layer of minced meat!
Tourists should also visit Sri Nagalakshmi Annexe to try out a sweet rice dish called Kalkandu Sadam. This dish can trace its roots backs to Gujarat with rice and moong dal as the main ingredients. The sweetened rice dish has a beautiful blend of sugar, saffron, and the nutty taste of dry fruits.
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