State Emporia Complex

The State Emporia Complex on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, just west of Connaught Place in central Delhi, gathers government-run showrooms representing individual Indian states along a single street, each specialising in its own region's crafts. Kashmir Government Arts Emporium sells pashmina shawls, papier-mache and walnut-wood carving; Poompuhar covers Tamil Nadu's bronze sculpture and sandalwood work; Gurjari represents Gujarati textiles and embroidery; Rajasthali stocks Rajasthani block prints, puppets and jewellery; and Kairali offers Kerala's coir, spices and Kathakali-themed crafts, among other state emporia along the row. As with Central Cottage Industries Emporium, goods here are sourced through official state handicraft boards rather than resold from unknown suppliers, so authenticity is generally high and closer to genuine regional craft than the mixed-quality stock found in tourist bazaars. Prices are fixed and displayed, removing the need to bargain, and most emporia accept cards as well as cash; there is no in-store tax-refund facility. The complex is quiet and unhurried compared with nearby Connaught Place, with each showroom operating independently and staffed by state-employed sales assistants rather than commission agents. There are no food outlets within the complex itself, though Connaught Place's restaurants are a short walk away. The Kashmir and Rajasthali showrooms are generally considered the strongest for textiles, while Poompuhar stands out for bronze work.