The Gujarat government handicrafts and handloom emporium, run by the Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation, selling certified craft from across the state at fixed prices.
Garvi Gurjari is the retail arm of the Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation, and the Ashram Road branch in Ahmedabad, in the Gujarat region of India, is the most convenient of its outlets for visitors. Where a bazaar requires knowledge and bargaining, an emporium removes both: everything on the shelves is sourced from registered artisans and cooperatives across the state, prices are fixed and printed, and the provenance of a piece is recorded rather than claimed. The range covers most of what Gujarat makes, which is a great deal: Ajrakh block prints from Kutch, bandhani from Jamnagar and Bhuj, Kutchi embroidery in its various community styles, Tangaliya woollen shawls from Surendranagar, lacquered wood and copper bells from Nirona, Mata ni Pachedi shrine cloths, beadwork, patchwork quilts and a small selection of patola. For travellers who will not reach the craft villages of Kutch, or who arrive outside the Rann Utsav season, this is the single most efficient place to see and buy the state's craft under one roof. The corporation runs further outlets in Ahmedabad including a counter at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and branches at Panchwati and in Gandhinagar, and it also sells online. Payment by card and UPI is straightforward, and staff will arrange packing for pieces going into checked baggage.
| Hours | Mon-Sat approximately 10:30AM-7:30PM; closed Sunday and government holidays |
|---|---|
| Price | Craft items INR 150-60,000 (approx USD 1.55-625); most textiles INR 800-8,000 (approx USD 8.30-83) |
| Address | Paradise Chamber, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India |
Location
Paradise Chamber, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India
23.0290, 72.5720 View on map
Highlights
- Government-run emporium selling certified craft from registered Gujarat artisans
- Fixed printed prices with no bargaining required
- Ajrakh, bandhani, Kutchi embroidery, Tangaliya, lacquerware and copper bells in one place
- Practical alternative for travellers not reaching the Kutch craft villages
- Further branches at Panchwati, Gandhinagar and the Ahmedabad airport terminal
Tips for visiting
- Prices are fixed, so time spent comparing quality rather than haggling is better spent
- Ask staff for the sourcing village of a piece; the corporation records artisan provenance
- Airport branch is useful for last-minute buying but carries a narrower range
- Closed on Sundays and government holidays, unlike the private craft shops nearby
- Card and UPI payment are accepted, and staff will pack textiles for checked baggage
When to visit
Weekday late mornings, when the shop is quiet and staff have time to explain the provenance of individual pieces.
Accessibility
A conventional ground-floor retail unit on Ashram Road with level entry from the pavement and wide internal aisles, making it one of the easier craft shopping options for wheelchair users in Ahmedabad.
Frequently asked questions
What is Garvi Gurjari?
It is the retail brand of the Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation, a state body that buys from registered artisans and cooperatives and sells their work at fixed prices through emporia.
Is it cheaper than buying in Kutch?
Usually not cheaper than buying directly from a weaver or printer in Bhujodi or Ajrakhpur, but the prices are fair, the quality is checked and no bargaining knowledge is needed.
What is the strongest part of the range?
Kutchi embroidery and Ajrakh block prints, together with bandhani, Tangaliya shawls, lacquered wood and the tuned copper bells from Nirona.
Are there other branches in Ahmedabad?
Yes. The corporation also operates outlets at Panchwati and a counter at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, plus a branch in Gandhinagar.