What to bring from India as a gift? What are the best medicines and cosmetics? We found all the best ideas of souvenirs for the memory of family and friends according to the reviews of experienced tourists, found out the prices. We found out where it is cheaper to buy goods, what can and cannot be exported from the country to Russia.
Visiting Delhi and other cities of Hindustan allows you to enjoy extraordinary views. The exotic culture of a distant country justifies the cost of air travel there and hours of sitting in an airplane seat. But you will have to carefully study one more question - what can you bring from India as a gift to relatives, friends, colleagues, or just for your own memory.
What can and cannot be exported from India?
Before choosing specific positions, let's find out what restrictions exist in this Asian country. The law clearly states what cannot be exported.
Indian customs highly disapprove of export attempts national currency abroad. Sanctions, up to and including criminal prosecution, may be associated with attempts to move everything narcotic and psychoactive substances. Responsibility is fully extended to tourists. It is important to consider this when deciding which medicines to bring from India. A particular risk is caused by those drugs that affect the psyche, even if as a side effect or a possible complication. Definitely not worth buying in this country antidepressants... Experienced travelers familiarize themselves with the current lists of prohibited medicines before the trip.
Export abroad jewelry of gold and silver in excess of 2,000 rupees is strictly prohibited. The same rule applies to bars, coins, and other collectible items. The cashier's receipts justifying the purchase are not lifted.
We recommend that you refuse to purchase goods manufactured for 100 years or more (on the day of loading luggage and hand luggage on the plane). Therefore, with the idea of purchasing in India antiques have to say goodbye.
It is also prohibited to transport animal skins and fur, bird feathers, any living plant and its seeds, as well as tropical fruits. If the desired item is not included in this list, then the question of what to bring from India as a gift is automatically removed.
What to bring from India?
1. Indian tea and coffee will be an incredible surprise for connoisseurs of these natural drinks. In addition to simple black Indian tea, you can buy tea with fruit and herbal infusions. The fee for 1 kg of raw tea is from 300 to 400 rupees.
2. The second lot that tourists are recommended to bring from India is alcohol... It is made of no worse quality than tea and coffee. To purchase herbal drinks, you can go to any specialty store. Depending on the purpose of the purchase, you can choose two packaging options. It directly affects the total cost of the product.
3. Most tourists are keenly interested in what to bring spices from Hindustan. There are many fragrant and tasty herbs on this peninsula. Zira and cardamom, cinnamon and saffron are popular. It is much more pleasant to give spices that are insufficiently known to a wide range of consumers. Such a surprise will allow you to emphasize attention and show that for the sake of the addressee they did not just buy the first available product, but they carefully studied the market. Depending on personal preferences, either spices are purchased separately, or a selection of them (denoted by the collective term masala). To complement the dishes, they use not only spices, but also sauces. Along with the well-known curry, it is worth mentioning the less familiar chutney in domestic cooking.
4. No less pressing question - what cosmetics bring from India. Formulations based on natural substances are highly valued around the world. Cosmetics of Ayurvedic origin are suitable as a presentation. These can be creams, and facial masks, and herbal shampoos, and aromatic oils. It is recommended that you check the reputation of a particular brand in advance before purchasing.
5. Safe (checked by the list) medications... These are antipyretic and immunity-enhancing agents, anti-aging drugs, antiviral medicines. Most of the traditional preparations of Indian medicine are designed to be taken several times in a row for 1 - 2 months. It is important to take this into account when determining the batch to be purchased.
6. Textiles and footwear... Not suitable for the city and for work, but quite well for the home. Indian clothing uses delicate fabrics that create a pleasant atmosphere. Along with the stereotypical sarees, pashminas, shawls, scarves, harem pants, Punjabi, tunics and a number of other options deserve attention. Not limited to clothes, tourists can buy a bedspread, a blanket.
7. Carpet.
India is unlikely to compare with Turkmenistan and Iran in this area. But here they use flawless natural materials that last a long time. Diversity of colors and uniqueness of patterns are guaranteed. The downside is the high cost.
8. Leather things.
The Indian leather industry manufactures dazzling belts and straps, bags and belts, business card holders and wallets. This is just a short list of the main items that are produced in the country. They practice decorating the supplied goods with national embroideries and beads.
9. Common and unusual decorations.
The acquisition of earrings and bracelets, such as those that appear in the frame of Indian TV series, is not particularly difficult. Popular kundan, minakari, nath, tika, silver bracelets.
10. Figurines depicting Hindu gods and mythological heroes.
Beautiful figurines will delight children, even those who are not too keen on exotic things. The fee will be 600 - 6000 rupees. It is influenced by the plot, craftsmanship, materials and dimensions of a particular product.
11. Aroma oils.
They are sold everywhere, but tourists need to choose sellers who keep their counters in the shade. Sunlight quickly destroys the positive effects of the oil. Alternatively, they buy incense sticks. They can be ordered separately or as whole sets.
12. Marble decorative crafts.
The plots of such items are also emphatically mythological. The largest selection is created in the Taj Mahal area.
13. Original and beautiful, but only for a while - tattoo with henna according to traditional Indian culture.
What to bring from Goa?
Finding out which souvenir to bring from Goa as a souvenir, you need to pay attention, first of all, to the local exquisite alcohol and drums in the national style. Large musical instruments sell for Rs 3,500.
The second most popular brand is rum Old monk... Its cost is obscenely cheap, and therefore Russian tourists buy this drink in the maximum amount allowed. But you can bring into the Russian Federation no more than 2 liters of alcohol of any type per air passenger. Tourists are advised to prefer plastic packaging - it will be a shame if a glass bottle breaks on the way.
Third position - pepper toothpaste... Such a surprise will be piquant and suitable for those who appreciate spicy tastes. A 50 gram tube costs 17 rupees, 100 grams can be purchased for 36 rupees.
The fourth line is occupied by sari... This type of clothing in Goa is made attractive and in such a way that it turns out to be a suitable option for holidays and carnivals. Ali-baba trousers and a T-shirt will look exotic at home.
It is appropriate to end the review at singing bowl... Such products are made from cast iron, which makes the purchase very difficult. Regardless of your specific preferences, you need to purchase goods as a gift only from the 4th day of rest and later. Having mastered the assortment of markets, you can choose more substantively.
Where is the best place to buy souvenirs?
When deciding to buy clothes (both casual and dancewear), you should focus on Panaji stores. The same goods in the markets will be unreasonably expensive. For a very modest price, the Goa markets sell clothes from leading international brands. It was sewn with errors, and the tailors in the atelier are ready to correct the defects that have appeared. Jewelry is recommended to be purchased only in official stores, be sure to request certificates.
Souvenirs of various types are advised to buy in the Dilli Haat shopping complex (located near the INA metro station). The expensive shopping center Yashwant Place is also becoming a popular choice. It is close to the Russian embassy.
You can choose where you want to buy ritual souvenirs. You can find goods of any quality and any aesthetic categories, of different prices, in each of the shops. Those who do not want to bargain should go to Daramsala and buy souvenirs there near the Dalai Lama temple. Tibetan shops also generally operate at a rather fixed price.
Video review of souvenirs
How to save money on your trip to India?
Our tried and tested tips will help you plan your own holiday cheaper:
- We recommend installing the RumGuru application on your smartphone, so you can choose any living space even upon arrival in the city, it is very convenient to find a free living space on a business trip or during an unplanned vacation in real time.
- Tripinsurance will help you profitably insure your health and life while traveling, the service works only with trusted major insurance companies, which already inspires confidence. You just have to choose the most profitable option, but it's better not to save on health.
- Flights? We advise you to use Aviasales empirically.
- You may also find our selection of useful tourist apps useful.
