Shopping in Kerala

Shopping in Kerala

Kerala has a wide variety of traditional handicrafts, weaves, and textiles on offer for the consummate shopper.  Buffalo horn figurines, brass wares, teak, sandalwood and rosewood furniture, granite idols, jewellery, ornate pillars, and coir (coconut) products are just some of the absolute “must buys” here.

Coconut Shell and Coir Shopping

Because Kerala is practically synonymous with the coconut palm, it should be no surprise that coir products are found abundantly across the state.  No part of the tree is allowed to go to waste. Products derived from the generous tree include cups, snuff boxes, flower vases, nut bowls, sugar basins, powder boxes, spoons, furniture, and many other products. Coir, which is made from coconut husk, is fashioned into doormats, floor coverings, crush-proof pile carpets, floor matting, and rugs.  Alleppey, Kollam, and Calicut are among the main centers of coir manufacturing in Kerala.   

Wood and Horn Carvings

The state has a rich heritage of wood carving which is apparent to anyone who visits the myriad temples and palaces.  More humble depictions of this traditional art form can be found in paper weights, decorative furniture, jewellery boxes, and lamp stands.  Nettoor jewellery boxes rate particularly high on shopping lists because of their unique conical shape, with brass etchings at the edges. Most of Kerala’s traditional wood carving art focuses on the use of fragrant sandalwood and rosewood.  Horn carving is another ancient handicraft that is practiced by artisans around the Thiruvananthapuram region, and you can choose from a varied selection of exquisite animals, birds, cigarette cases, combs, and lamps made of horn.