. Hampi has some unusual suspects in its list of Souvenirs for the visitors. The jewelry and embroidered textiles of the nomadic Lambani people steal the show. Overwhelmingly decorated they themselves are the Lambani people and their merchandise would never fail to attract ones attention.
The rows of shops near the Virupaksha Temple displays and sell these items.
. Saturated colored fabric pieces are collaged to make shawls, wallets, shoulder bags, skirts and even bedspreads. As if the flashy colors are not loud enough to attract attention, mirror pieces and smooth cowry seashells are skillfully hand-woven on to it. The designs are mainly feminine in theme.
You may encounter a Lambani women going about her craft at a street corner, near your lodge, at an abandoned pavilion or the likes.
A Banjara ( Lambadi) jewelery seller woman at Hampi. They are known for their extremely colourful costumes and jewelry
. A small bag can cost you anywhere from Rs50 to a grandiose bedspread about Rs800, or even more.
The so-called Lambani jewelry too are sought after item, especially for its antique look and tribal like design feature. Generally they are not made by precious materials, but crafted of metal fused with coins, tiny bells and metallic beads.
Then there are shops that sell look-alikes of antique coins and other metallic artifacts. Remember, in all probability they are not antiques, but interesting objects imitating antiquity.
Lambani souvenir seller on Hampi Bazaar.
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At the far end of the Hampi Bazaar Street, close to the Monolithic Bull statue, there is a state sponsored art emporium. The displays include artifacts made of stone and brass.
It is not uncommon to spot tourists buying the history books at Hampi. The most popular seems Robert Sewell’s ‘A Forgotten Empire: Vijayanagar’. There are a few spots where they sell books. Inside the Virupaksha Temple campus there is a stall that sells an assorted list of guidebooks and maps along with other things. Immediately outside the Virupaksha Temple main entrance, in Hampi Bazaar, you can spot a bookstall with an impressive collection of books and postcards on Hampi.
The tourist information center and the Archeological Museum at Kamalapur are known to have a moderate collection of books.
In all probability booksellers who carry a pile of collections would bump you near the main monuments or by the bus stand.
