There are a lot of interesting shopping places in Ernakulam and Fort Kochi that offer anything to everything, catering to everyone’s budget.Women’s clothes, Tower road opposite Fort Kochi Police Station is a store offering cotton churidar sets and salwars.There are also numerous shops in Jew Town selling exotic antique items.In Ernakulam city, MG Road, Marine Drive and Broadway Street are the main shopping centres.
Along the pathway to the St. Francis church youll find loads of stalls with local craft and artworks such as peacock feather fans, beautifully handmade postcards, normal postcards with nice local views, casual dress, statues, local jewelry, etc.Bargaining and haggling can be done at the small and medium shops.
The markets in and around Kochi are to be experienced with all their bustle, din, colour, and aromas.The main market area of Ernakulam features many hole-in-the-wall spice shops. Star anise, huge blades of mace, big strips of cinnamon, fresh black pepper, big red chillis and exotica like ‘kodampuli’, a souring agent used in Kerala dishes which can replace lemon juice or tamarind, besides saffron and cardamom which are expensive.
There are several shops along MG Road in Ernakulam where you can buy textiles, silk and sarees. The locals do most of their shopping here.There are numerous book stores in and around Fort Cochin such as those in Napier Street and Jew Town, that have a fantastic range of books on India, and especially Kerala and on subjects like art, architecture and cooking.The main bookstores in Ernakulam are also worth a visit.
The streets leading to the Pardesi Synagogue and near Vasco de gama’s house in Fort Kochi are lined with antique stores and warehouses.You can buy elaborately carved walls, entire ceilings, a real snake boat, or any of millions of those precious little curio/gift items, from wall brackets to spice boxes to tiny bronze and carved wood temple offerings- all unique antique pieces.
Wandering through these stores is a lot of fun.There are even shops selling old furniture, old photographs, masks and anything else that strikes your fancy.Indian and Kerala styled furniture are a craze with foreigners, especially Europeans.Depending on what you buy - you can find something for every budget and this factor makes shopping in Kerala mighty interesting.
