Shopping in Mysore: shopping centers, markets, stores

Shopping is a proven remedy for shopping lovers. If you're going to Mysore for the weekend, you're lucky to be going to an extravagant shopping destination.

Mysore, known for its silk saris, rosewood artifacts, sandalwood products, and coffee powder, is nothing short of an abundance for the shopaholic. The city, famous for its rich cultural heritage, is located 143 km from Bangalore.

Whether you want to enjoy the famous Mysore Pak or bring home stone sculptures as souvenirs for friends and family, the market offers great products.

Here is a list of outlets that you should definitely visit if you are going shopping in Mysore:

1. Mysore Pak

Sweets from Mysore should definitely be on your shopping list. Their origins go back almost to the 1970s, when the King of Mysuru asked a chef to make a unique candy to carry the city's name. The cook was called a "nalapaka." This was the man who made the sugar syrup or "paka." He made a rich, delicious delicacy of good flour, sugar, and butter, calling it Mysore Pak.

Where to shop: Guru Sweet Mart, Sayaji Rao Road. Other stores you can visit are Indra Sweets, Annex Bombay Tiffanys and Mahalaxmi Sweets. They offer their own delightful Mysore Pak options.

Opening hours: 9:00-22:00.

2. Sandal products

The fragrance of sandalwood is like floating in the sky. Mysore offers a wide range of sandalwood products that will fill your heart and home with their musky scent. The connection between sandalwood products and the city can be traced back to the golden era of the kingdom of Wodeyar.

The government sandalwood oil factory was founded in 1916 by King Krishnaraja Wodeyar of Mysore along with Divan Sir M. Visvesvaraya.

The purpose of this factory was to harness the resources and produce the purest form of sandalwood oil. Located 2 km from the royal palace, the factory invites visitors on tours where they can see the different stages of oil production. It is the best place where authentic sandalwood soaps, fragrance sticks, powder and of course oil are sold.

Where to buy: Government Sandalwood Oil Factory, Kuvempu Nagar.

Opening hours: 9:30-11:00 a.m. and 2:00-16:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays.

3. Coffee

Coorg, which produces the best coffee in the country. Coffee drinkers should remember that it is one of the best coffee powders sold in the country. A powerful network of wholesale dealers and retailers also source coffee from other nearby areas such as Sakleshpur and Chikmagalur.

Where to shop: coffee shops in and around Gandhi Square, and Devraja Market.

Opening hours: 8:00-14:00.

4. Wooden Toys (Channapatna Toys)

Craftsmen and artisans from a small town near Mysore mastered the art of making extraordinarily attractive wooden toys. During the reign of Tipu Sultan, Persian artists gave lessons in making such crafts. These colorful, accessible, and unique wooden art objects make excellent souvenirs.

Where to Buy: Mysore Handicrafts Shop, Sayyaji Road.

Opening hours: from 10:00.

5. Hadi Cotton

The pride of wearing Khadi handmade cotton fabric is exceptional. In Mysore, you can buy both the fabric material and the finished sewn Khadi. This classic fabric is dyed in exclusive organic colors. During your stay, it is possible to have an outfit sewn in the town itself, as these stores usually have tailors.

Where to shop: from the city of Melukote.

Opening hours: from 11:00 am.

6. Painting

The city is influenced by various arts and crafts, which are displayed in artifacts. They can be purchased here. The traditional art of Mysore paintings dates back to the time of Ajanta in the seventh century B.C. When you stroll through the stores in Mysore, be sure to pick out a few paintings depicting mythological characters and events.

Where to buy: Cauvery Arts and Crafts Mall.

Opening hours: from 10:30.

7. Aromatic sticks

A paste of spices and chewing gum is wrapped around a thin bamboo stick dipped in aromatic oils and releases a warming aroma. Fragrance sticks of jasmine, rose, sandalwood, lily and more are worth buying in Mysore.

Where to buy: KR Circle.

Opening hours: from 10:00.

8. Rosewood souvenirs

Imagine stunning artifacts expertly carved from rosewood. Hard to believe? It's still possible. Here, talented artisans carve rosewood figures using a variety of techniques. They are termite resistant. Such priceless decorative patterns and figurines are noteworthy souvenirs.

Where to buy: Cauvery Arts and Crafts Mall.

Opening hours: from 10:30.

9. Silk saris

The booming silk industry in Mysore speaks to the art of silkworm breeding and silk production in the region. The Zari gold trim that adorns the exquisite silk saris is a must-have addition to your closet.

Where to buy: KSIC Mysore Silk Showroom.

Opening hours: from 10:30.

10. Stone sculptures

К. Venkatappa was a talented sculptor who began carving stunning figures out of soapstone. Soapstone sculpting is a skill that requires an exemplary level of patience and time. Soapstone, commonly known as Krishna Shila, is available in several colors. Buying these stone sculptures is a must if you want to decorate your home with a work of art.

Where to buy: Mandi Mohalla, Ashoka Road.

Opening hours: from 11:00 am.

Shopping centers in Mysore

The city has many markets, small and large stores, and every tourist also has a choice of malls to visit. Garuda Mall, Mall of Mysore, Forum Center City Mall and BM Habitat Mall are the best entertainment and shopping points in the city. These centers guarantee a luxury shopping experience.

Shopping in a city of cultural and artistic heritage is as much of an experience as it is a delight. If you're planning a weekend trip to the historic city of Mysore, be sure to check out our shopping guide to make your shopping trip a memorable one.