Maharashtra is India's second-most populous state and a powerhouse of culture, history, and natural beauty. Home to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, ancient UNESCO World Heritage cave complexes at Ajanta and Ellora, majestic Sahyadri mountain forts, and pristine Konkan coastline beaches, Maharashtra offers an extraordinary diversity of experiences for every type of traveler.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Paithani Silk Sarees
Exquisite handloom silk sarees from Paithan near Aurangabad, featuring interlocking weft patterns and peacock motifs. Among the finest traditional textiles in India and a UNESCO-recognized weaving tradition.
Price: $50-500+
Where: Maharashtra Emporium (Mumbai), Paithani showrooms in Aurangabad, weavers in Paithan
Bidriware
A distinctive craft from Bidar (historically associated with Aurangabad) featuring silver inlay work on a blackened zinc-copper alloy base, used for vases, trays, jewelry boxes, and jewelry.
Price: $10-200
Where: Craft shops in Aurangabad, Crafts Museum outlets in Mumbai
Chikki (Lonavala)
Traditional peanut, sesame, or cashew brittle candy from Lonavala, one of Maharashtra's most beloved edible souvenirs. Maganlal Chikki is the most famous brand.
Price: $1-5 per pack
Where: Maganlal Chikki shop on Mumbai-Pune highway (Lonavala), station road stalls
Warli Tribal Art
Ancient Warli tribal paintings from Maharashtra's Thane district featuring simple geometric patterns depicting daily tribal life. Available as paintings, prints, and on textiles, pottery, and jewelry.
Price: $5-100
Where: Tribes India shops in Mumbai, Dastkar craft markets, Maharashtra Emporium
Alphonso Mango Products (Ratnagiri)
The world-famous Alphonso (Hapus) mango from Ratnagiri district is available as fresh fruit (in season, March-May), mango pulp (year-round), pickles, and dried products.
Price: $3-20
Where: Crawford Market (Mumbai), Dadar market, directly from Ratnagiri cooperatives
Kolhapuri Chappals
Handcrafted leather sandals from Kolhapur, one of Maharashtra's most distinctive traditional crafts. Known for their durability, comfort, and unique hand-tooled patterns. Now made throughout Maharashtra.
Price: $8-40
Where: Chappal shops in Kolhapur's old city, Colaba Causeway (Mumbai), Laxmi Road (Pune)
Bamboo and Cane Crafts
Intricate bamboo baskets, furniture, and household items from Maharashtra's Adivasi (tribal) regions, particularly from Thane and Nashik districts.
Price: $5-100
Where: Tribal craft shops in Nashik, government emporiums in Mumbai and Pune
Ganesha Idols
Ornate clay, brass, or marble Ganesha figurines, ranging from small pocketable ones to decorative home pieces. Lord Ganesha is the patron deity of Maharashtra.
Price: $2-200
Where: Laxmi Road (Pune), Dadar flower market (Mumbai), temple precincts of Siddhivinayak
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Crawford Market (Mahatma Phule Market)
Mumbai's oldest and most atmospheric wholesale market, built in 1869 with stunning Norman-Gothic architecture and relief sculptures by Rudyard Kipling's father. Sells fresh produce, spices, exotic fruits, pets, and dry goods.
Where: Lokmanya Tilak Road, Near CST Station, Mumbai
Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM (Closed Sundays)
Colaba Causeway Market
Mumbai's most tourist-friendly street market running along the famous Causeway road in Colaba, selling jewelry, clothes, antiques, shoes, bags, and handicrafts. Bargaining is essential and expected.
Where: Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Colaba, Mumbai
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Dadar Flower Market
One of Asia's largest wholesale flower markets, supplying Mumbai's temples, weddings, and events with marigolds, roses, jasmine, and lotus. A spectacular sensory experience best witnessed at dawn.
Where: Dadar West, Mumbai
Hours: 4:00 AM - 10:00 AM (best early morning)
Laxmi Road Market, Pune
Pune's busiest traditional shopping street stretching for nearly 3 km through the old city, lined with saree shops, jewelry stores, Kolhapuri chappal vendors, and utensil shops.
Where: Laxmi Road, Budhwar Peth, Pune
Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Mahabaleshwar Market
A vibrant market in Mahabaleshwar town selling locally produced strawberries, mulberries, raspberry jam, honey, and the famous mapro fruit products. The best place for local produce souvenirs.
Where: Main Market Road, Mahabaleshwar
Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Linking Road, Bandra, Mumbai
Mumbai's most popular mid-range shopping street with a mix of high-street fashion, export surplus stores, and boutique shops. Great for affordable trendy clothing.
Best for: Fashion, footwear, affordable clothing
Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
Mumbai's art district with upscale craft shops, design studios, independent bookstores, and curated souvenir shops. Perfect for unique, quality purchases.
Best for: Art prints, design objects, unique crafts, books
Koregaon Park Annexe, Pune
Pune's most upscale shopping area with Indian designer labels, home decor stores, and international brand outlets.
Best for: Indian designer fashion, home decor, gourmet food
Camp Area, Pune
Pune's colonial-era commercial district with a mix of traditional Irani bakeries, sari shops, bookstores (Manney's), and modern retail — a great area for exploring on foot.
Best for: Traditional shops, books, local food products
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Phoenix Marketcity, Mumbai
One of Mumbai's largest malls in Kurla with 600+ stores including international and Indian brands, a food court, and multiplex cinema
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Palladium, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Mumbai's most upscale shopping mall with luxury international brands, high-end Indian designers, and gourmet dining
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Amanora Mall, Pune
One of Pune's largest malls in Hadapsar with a comprehensive mix of Indian and international retail, restaurants, and an entertainment zone
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Inorbit Mall, Malad, Mumbai
A large family mall in Malad West with retail stores, food court, and entertainment facilities popular with suburban Mumbai families
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected at street markets (Colaba Causeway, Laxmi Road) but not at fixed-price stores or malls
Start negotiations at 40-50% of the initial asking price and work toward a 70-80% final price
Be polite and friendly — aggressive bargaining is counterproductive in Maharashtra
Walking away often brings the vendor back with a better offer
Learn a few Marathi/Hindi price phrases: 'Kam kara' (reduce it), 'Bahut mehnga aahe' (it's too expensive)
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques (over 100 years old) cannot be exported without an ASI certificate; most temple and religious art in shops is modern reproduction
Tax Refund: GST refund for foreign nationals on purchases over ₹2,000 ($24) at participating stores in international airports
Duty Free: Duty-free import allowance: 2 liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, personal effects up to ₹50,000 ($600)
Shipping: International shipping available through DHL, FedEx, and Indian Post (speed post) from major cities