Kairali
The Kerala government emporium which sells the local handicrafts at fixed rates. It is open from 09:00 to 20:00. The artifacts, clothes and crafts are all typical to the state. A Kathakali mask makes a nice souvenir and comes in small, medium and large sizes.
The furniture is nice as well. If you want to pick out a typical local costume try the white sari with a golden border. A traditional bridal sari will have real gold thread hand woven into it.
Location : MG Road, Ernakulam
Spices
With a pepper exchange at Jew Town, spices are a great souvenir from Kochi. Most of them are well packed and compact making them easy to carry. They also make excellent gifts for people back home. Cinnamon, pepper, green cardamom, brown cardamom, cloves, bay leaf are all on offer.
The herbs include holy basil, fenugreek, and coriander. Try and pick well-sealed packets rather than open spices as the vacuum packed spices will keep fresh longer.
Location: most emporiums and shops have a section of spices. Also at most of the tourist spots there are spice stalls. There are a line of stores at Bazaar Road at Fort Cochin and Mattancherry Island.
Antiques and Reproductions
There is a line of shops dealing in antiques and reproductions here. The artifacts include miniatures of snake boats, spice boxes, wooden temples, wall hangings - all carved out of wood. There are also replications which will be much cheaper. Tiny bronze images and boxes are also available.
Make sure that you don’t pick up anything which they claim is more than 100 years old, as legally these antiques are not allowed to leave the country. If they insist it is over a century old and are still trying to sell it to you beware as it is most likely a reproduction. Just spend some time browsing if you don’t know what you wish to pick up first.
Location: A side street in the vicinity of the Synagogue at Fort Cochin and Mattancherry island
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