Last Updated on July 5, 2024 by Tariq
Aiming to preserve the handicraft heritage of the region and cater to rural communities, Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium offers handcrafted sandalwood products, jewelry, textiles, wood carvings, pottery, stone carvings, and more.
Everything here is made by local artisans using traditional techniques and materials.
Established in 1964, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium was launched by Karnataka’s special government-run shop selling authentic Indian handicrafts.
Cauvery Handicraft Emporium has several outlets across Bangalore, making it easy for tourists and locals to find various quality yet affordable handicrafts.
By shopping at the emporium, customers can experience unique pieces of the region’s culture while maintaining a hands-on lifestyle.
With over half a century of experience, Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium remains a prime destination for curated Indian handicrafts and a premier resource for the handicraft community of Karnataka.
History of Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium
(Source: Justdial)
Named after the Cauvery River, integral to Karnataka’s history, the emporium began as a small store selling handicrafts from local artisans.
Over five decades, Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium has become one of India’s largest government-run handicraft chains.
The emporium has multiple outlets across Karnataka cities, including Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, and Hubli, attracting domestic and international tourists to its wide range of regional handicrafts.
By sourcing handicrafts directly from rural artisans, the emporium sustains traditional craft skills and communities that have enriched Karnataka’s artisanal heritage for generations.
Cauvery Handicraft Emporium has won several honors for its contributions to Karnataka’s handicrafts and artisanal welfare.
The emporium has also become a hub for art and culture in Bangalore, hosting handicraft events and exhibitions at its outlets throughout the year.
Reasons to Visit Cauvery Handicraft Emporium Bangalore
Authentic regional handicrafts
Cauvery Handicraft Emporium offers an assortment of authentic sandalwood, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, pottery, and stone handicrafts from the indigenous handicraft communities in South India.
Each craft is crafted using traditional techniques and materials, giving visitors an appreciation of local craft skills and distinctive techniques.
Support the welfare of handicrafts
By purchasing handicrafts directly from local artisans, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium sustains their livelihood and maintains its intergenerational handicraft heritage.
The emporium’s ethical sourcing introduces customers to the artisans and communities behind artisanal products, making purchases impactful actions that support cultural heritage.
Affordable, quality handicrafts
Though handicrafts are made from high-quality natural materials, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium offers them at accessible prices.
This invites people of all income levels and backgrounds to enjoy unique regional handicrafts and gifts and to play a role in protecting cultural traditions.
Convenient locations all over Bangalore
With multiple locations all over Bangalore, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium makes authentic regional handicrafts easy to find and acquire.
Patrons can visit the nearby emporium branch to pick up a variety of unique crafts without going into town, perfect for getting gifts or souvenirs or starting with a craft collection.
Learn about regional cultures
Understanding the materials, techniques, motifs, and artisanal communities behind handicrafts.
Customers can develop an appreciation for South India’s cultural heritage.
Cauvery Handicraft Emporium provides an educational opportunity to grow cultural insight and support regional artisanal welfare through informed purchases.
Visitors come away with unique handicrafts and experiences that transcend the commercial, giving glimpses into regional cultures and values.
Buyer’s Guide to Shopping at Cauvery Handicraft Emporium Bangalore
(Source: Google Photos)
Research about regional crafts
Before visiting the emporium, explore South India’s range of handicraft traditions to identify pieces of interest.
This helps navigate the emporium efficiently and includes unique regional crafts you might value, from sandalwood carvings to handloom textiles to stone sculptures.
Check authenticity and quality
Although Cauvery Handicraft Emporium is reputed for authentic regional handicrafts ethically sourced from artisans, verify authentication and inspect quality before purchasing.
Speaking with emporium staff on crafting communities and methods behind pieces builds insight into the cultural significance of handicraft traditions.
Compare affordably priced options
Despite the emphasis on sustaining artisanal communities over profits, compare Cauvery Handicraft Emporium price ranges for desired handicrafts with other stores and platforms.
More competitive price points make regional crafts accessible to wider audiences, increasing support for cultural development initiatives.
Navigate emporium locations
With several locations across Bangalore, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium’s diverse range of regional crafts is conveniently discovered and acquired.
Visiting the nearest location lets you navigate a full selection without traversing the city, which is perfect for finding gifts or souvenirs on tight schedules.
Appreciating cultural heritage
Speaking with emporium artisans on craft inspiration and significance unravels the cultural history and values influencing traditions.
Cauvery Handicraft Emporium provides an opportunity to grow cultural appreciation and regional support artisans through informed purchases preserving intergenerational craft skills.
Types of Products Available at Cauvery Handicraft Emporium
Cauvery Handicraft Emporium offers a diverse range of authentic regional handicrafts:
Sandalwood products
The emporium is known for its sandalwood products, including aromatic incense sticks, invigorating perfumes, and intricately carved and woven souvenirs.
Sandalwood’s distinctive fragrance and calming properties make these naturally harvested products appealing.
(Source: Google Photos)
Perfumery and agarbatti
Offering a wide selection of perfumes and incense sticks handcrafted from floral, herbal, and spice extracts.
These fragrances are integral to religious rituals, meditation, and freshening spaces.
Rosewood products
Rosewood’s rich grain makes the hardwood ideal for creating one-of-a-kind furniture, kitchenware, and decoratives.
It features a wide range of rosewood products, including intricately carved objects, elegantly designed furniture, and professionally crafted kitchen utensils.
Bidriware
Originating in Bidar, Karnataka, bidriware is a metalworking technique involving embellishing zinc and copper alloy objects with silver or gold wire inlays.
It showcases a range of bidriware pieces, including decorative vases, handcrafted trays, and engraved bowls at the emporium.
Shivani and wood products
Shivani and various hardwood products, including carvings, furniture, and kitchen utensils, are precisely handcrafted.
Shivani’s durability and lustrous grain result in specialty wood pieces lasting generations.
(Source: Google Photos)
Metalcraft
Skilled metalworkers created a wide collection of brass and copper plates, bowls, and lamps featuring intricate engraving and hammered detailing.
These metallic objects serve practical purposes and make unique decorative accents.
Bronze
Cast in bronze, its statues and figurines depict Hindu deities, animals, and other figures.
Bronze’s combination of copper and tin produces a range of shimmering golden hues that highlight the artistry of each piece.
Lacquerware
Lacquerware techniques involving coating objects with lacquer resin result in the emporium’s selection of ornamental boxes, trays, and decorative items.
The lacquer’s deep, glossy tones accentuate the craftsmanship of each piece.
Dhurries, paintings, and batiks
At the emporium, various other regional handicrafts, including hand-woven dhurries, paintings, and batiks, are offered.
Vibrant colors and complex patterns reflect the diversity of South India’s textile and artistic heritage.
Sandalwood Products at Cauvery Handicraft Emporium
(Source: Google Photos)
Renowned for an unrivaled selection of sandalwood products, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium offers a range connecting you to South India’s cherished artisanal heritage.
Sandalwood, a fragrant hardwood native to southern India, has been prized for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, aromatherapy, and religious ceremonies for its distinctive scent and therapeutic properties.
At the emporium, you can discover various sandalwood products, from aromatic incense sticks and invigorating essential oils to soothing soaps and intricately carved decoratives like Key-chains, Garlands, Pens, and more.
These products are crafted from high-quality, ethically sourced sandalwood and carefully processed to retain the wood’s fresh, woody fragrance and natural benefits.
The emporium’s sandalwood incense sticks are especially popular and available in various fragrances, such as pure sandalwood, rose, jasmine, and lavender.
Cauvery Handicraft Emporium also showcases sandalwood carvings crafted by skilled local artisans.
The soft, fragrant wood lends itself to creating one-of-a-kind designs and patterns, from small figurines and statues to larger decorative screens and room dividers.
Intricately carved from locally sourced sandalwood, these pieces highlight the hardwood’s natural beauty and artisanal craftsmanship honed over generations.
With each sandalwood product, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium invites you to experience this prized natural resource’s precious woody scent and support South India’s living artisanal heritage.
Prices of Sandalwood Products at Cauvery Handicraft Emporium
(Source: Google Photos)
As a popular destination for discovering South India’s cherished artisanal heritage, Cauvery Handicraft Emporium offers a range of authentic sandalwood products at fair prices reflective of materials and craftsmanship.
Prayer beads (malas)
Malas crafted from rare sandalwood varieties or featuring intricate designs are priced higher (INR 50,000) than more simply styled malas (INR 1,000).
Carvings and boxes
Depending on size and complexity, sandalwood carvings are priced at INR 5,000-16,000 and boxes at INR 5,000-12,000.
Keychains, pens, and garlands
These smaller sandalwood products make affordable souvenirs, with keychains and pens priced at INR 200-1,000 and garlands at INR 500-1,000.
Essential oils and perfumes
For sandalwood’s distinctive scent, essential oils, and perfumes are priced at around INR 500-1,000 per small bottle.
Although Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium’s sandalwood products may seem higher priced, costs reflect the quality of ethically sourced sandalwood and the skill of artisans with years of experience.
As a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted piece, these products have greater value in connecting you to a precious natural resource and cultural tradition.
Benefits of Shopping at Cauvery Handicraft Emporium
(Source: Deccan Herald)
Shopping at Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium primarily connects you to Karnataka’s precious artisanal heritage through a diverse range of authentic regional handicrafts.
It offers a wide array of high-quality handicrafts unique to Karnataka, crafted by skilled artisans using time-honored techniques.
Purchasing handicrafts from Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium also sustains artisanal communities and promotes the growth of Karnataka’s handicraft industry.
By supporting the emporium’s mission to preserve regional craft traditions, you protect livelihoods and empower communities as keepers of cultural heritage.
It also provides a platform for local artisans to showcase their craft and connect with audiences.
Interacting with artisans develops insight into the cultural context and the significance of regional crafts.
Finally, the emporium maintains transparent pricing, ensuring fair costs for quality handicrafts.
Certain authentic, certified products like sandalwood carvings ensure you purchase genuine, high-quality regional crafts.
With each informed purchase, you support preserving artisanal legacies as part of South India’s cultural heritage.
Locations of Cauvery Handicraft Emporium
Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium has several locations distributed across Bangalore and Karnataka.
The emporium’s main store on M.G. Road in the heart of Bangalore offers a spacious, well-lit space with a wide range of regional handicrafts.
It is open from 9.30 AM to 8.30 PM pm every day, except on public holidays.
Easily reached by public transit, this location is perfect for exploring the diverse array of authentic pieces at your own pace.
For finding unique gifts or travel souvenirs even on tight schedules, smaller emporium stores are located throughout Bangalore, including at the international airport, Brigade Road, and Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation showroom on St. Mark’s Road.
Each location offers a selection of quality handicrafts and regional crafts, connecting you to local artisanal communities.
To discover the range of handicrafts unique to different regions of Karnataka, additional emporium stores are located in tourist destinations across the state, such as Mysore, Hampi, and Mangalore.
Online Shopping at Cauvery Handicraft Emporium
Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium invites you for an artisanal experience at home through an intuitive website offering a diverse range of authentic regional handicrafts.
On Cauvery Handicrafts (KSHDCL), high-quality images and detailed descriptions guide you through quality pieces connecting you to time-honored crafting traditions.
As you explore sandalwood’s distinctive carvings, stone sculptures’ intricate details, and textiles’ colorful patterns, understanding materials and methods develops a deeper appreciation for local artisans’ skills honed through generations.
With varied payment options and free domestic shipping for orders meeting a minimum value, acquiring unique handicrafts from Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium’s online platform is affordable and convenient wherever you are.
Each online purchase contributes to sustaining living artisanal legacies as keepers of cultural heritage.
Customer reviews of Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium
Customer reviews highlight the emporium as a trusted destination for quality pieces connecting you to time-honored crafting traditions.
Many notes exploring unique finds and fair prices reflect local artisans’ skills honing techniques through generations.
Although popularity can mean navigating crowds and assertive staff, politeness secures helpful guidance and successful bargaining.
With beautiful, one-of-a-kind handicrafts, the emporium offers unique gifts or travel memories, inviting you to explore living cultural heritage.
Overall, reviews suggest Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium is a reliable place to discover regional crafts, supporting the emporium’s mission to sustain artisanal communities embracing heritage as a legacy woven into the present day.
FAQs
u003cstrongu003eWhat handicrafts is Karnataka famous for?u003c/strongu003e
Karnataka is renowned for intricate Mysore silk sarees, sandalwood carvings, rosewood inlay work, Bidriware metalwork, and Channapatna wooden toys.
u003cstrongu003eWhat does KSHDCL stand for?u003c/strongu003e
KSHDCL stands for Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited. As a state government organization, KSHDCL promotes and supports the development of handicrafts in Karnataka, connecting audiences worldwide to the state’s cherished artisanal heritage.
u003cstrongu003eWhat handicrafts does Karnataka offer in English?u003c/strongu003e
Karnataka offers Mysore silk sarees, sandalwood carvings, rosewood inlay work, Bidriware metalwork, Channapatna wooden toys, Udupi Krishna idols, Coorg coffee, and Mysore paintings.
u003cstrongu003eWhich village near Bangalore is famous for handicrafts?u003c/strongu003e
The village of Channapatna, located approximately 60 kilometers from Bangalore, is famous for its wooden toys.
u003cstrongu003eWhich Indian state has the best handicrafts?u003c/strongu003e
While all Indian states offer unique handicrafts, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh are particularly renowned for their rich and varied artisanal heritage.
u003cstrongu003eWhat can I buy from Karnataka?u003c/strongu003e
Karnataka invites you to discover a diverse range of regional handicrafts, from Mysore silk sarees and sandalwood carvings to rosewood inlay work, Bidriware metalcraft, and Channapatna wooden toys. Other popular products include spices, handicrafts from coconut shells, and traditional jewelry.
Conclusion
Whether exploring Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium’s spacious Bangalore store or convenient online platform, discover the quality of the regional handicrafts of Karnataka’s rich artisanal heritage.
By understanding the materials and methods behind each craft, you can develop a deeper appreciation for local artisans’ skills honing time-honored techniques.
With unique finds and fair prices reflecting the talents of craftspeople sustaining cultural heritage as a living legacy, the emporium offers authentic gifts and souvenirs connecting you to cherished traditions.
As a trusted destination to explore South India’s rich heritage, discover in Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium’s quality handicrafts the time-honed talents of craftspeople embracing legacy as a cherished tradition to carry into the future.
(Feature image source: Google Photos)
