How does one explore and experience India in all its glorious ethnic diversity? Drop by Central Cottage Industries Emporium in Delhi. It's a one-stop shop for all things traditional and contemporary that India has to offer. This multi-level store is a treasure trove of handicrafts from across the country. From wood carvings to paper mache, brassware, textiles, beauty products, home décor, jewellery, wooden furniture, pottery–the list goes on. Each product is unique, reflecting the traditional myths, folklore and cultural ethos of India. They also have an online store where you can shop for these extraordinary products.
The place is huge and is spread across five floors. The ground floor mostly stores decoration pieces, coffee tables, idols of various gods and goddesses, and wooden decor items. The upper stories have saris, cotton and embroidered apparel, silver jewellery, bed linen, and more. The top most floor has arguably the prettiest stuff in the entire place, though. It's full of wooden furniture; from huge, carved doors, to beautifully intricate partitions and tables, it's a paradise for those who are thinking of redecorating. They also have dining tables and chair sets, and marble table tops with delicate semi-precious stone detailing.
All of their products are segmented into different categories on their website, making it easy to navigate through. If you're someone who not only enjoys drinking tea but is also interested in knowing the history behind it while trying out teas from different regions of the country - this place is for you. You can shop for one of the finest teas which are sourced from Assam, Darjeeling and many other regions. They also have a "State Wise Craft" section that includes the finest work from each state, in case you're looking for some gifting options.
That’s not it. It houses a bookstore with a varied collection of books on art, textiles, architecture, and handicrafts. From time to time, there are live demonstrations by craftsmen, handicrafts for sale by national awardees, and a café, that has great sandwiches and shakes. The Emporium has also provides interior decoration and corporate gifting solutions to a number of hotel chains and corporate offices in the city.
