M.A.Najar and Brothers

M.A.Najar and Brothers are wholesalers and retailers of fine Kashmiri handcrafts. They carry silk and wool hand knotted carpets pashminas and semi-pashmina shawls, made from the hair of the mountain goat that lives high in the Himalayas. wool chain-stitch rugs--a technique similar to crewel embroidery, done by hand using a single needle fabric with crewel embroidery, used for curtains, upholstery, pillows, bedcovers, etc. fabric for clothing with and without, fine hand embroidery, used for mens' and women's clothing Families living in the rural mountain areas contract with the company to produce the hand work. The company supplies the raw materials, threads, fabrics, carpet looms, etc., and then sells the finished handcraft products. The best selection of Kashmiri handcrafts are found in Srinagar. M.A.Najar and Bros., founded in 1978, is located on Dal Lake, in Srinagar. They have a huge selection. The best way to reach the shop is to call Amin and he will have someone pick you up in a shikara (boat) and bring you to the store. If someone else brings you, or you go from a houseboat, expect to pay 20-30% or more than if you go alone. Whoever brings you gets a huge commission on your purchase. Always, call the business that you are interested in, and go there alone. Call Amin at 91-9419076026 OR E-mail him at amin@indiatravelliveshop.com M.A.Najar and Brothers also has 3 others locations, all in Goa. Rashid, one of the brothers, runs the 2 shops in Colva, one on the corner of the main intersection in Colva Beach, one in the Oceanique Hotel, and one more shop in Mobar, another beach village further south of Colva Beach. These shops also carry Kashmiri handcrafts, but specialize in jewelry, gold and silver with precious and semi-precious stones, wholesale and retail. Custom jewelry designs are the speciality of the shop. Buy loose stones, including diamonds, design your own piece, and have it created here. Also, this is the place to have any and all of your jewelry pieces repaired. Contact Christine, or call Rashid in Colva Beach, at 91-9890545902 for his personal mobile, or 91-0832278874 at the shop. E-mail Rashid at rashid@indiatravelliveshop.com.

Persian Paradise , Persian Dowery

Persian Dowery, in Kashmir, and Persian Paradise, in Goa, are manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of fine Kashmiri handcrafts. They carry a vast selection of hand knotted silk and wool carpets, paper machie products large and small, carved wooden items, from furniture to boxes, pashmina shawls and an infinite variety of shawls in other fabrics, wool hand embroidered chain stitch rugs and fabric. In Kashmir, they are located in Srinagar on Dal Lake, and in Calangute, Goa, on the main road leading to the beach. Gulzar's shop in Goa has an especially large selection of shawls, and he has now begun to wholesale to the other Kashmiri shops in the area. I have had good experiences with them. Any merchandise that was damaged in shipping was credited, any merchandise that I did not sell was exchanged. They strive to make my buying experience good for me, in financial terms as well as efficient shipping and quality merchandise. Call Mushtaq in Kashmir at 91-9419007469 or visit his website at http://www.persiandowry.com. OR email him at mushtaq@indiatravelliveshop.com OR contact Christine. In Goa, call Gulzar at 91-9860997742, OR visit his website at http://www.persiandowry.com OR email him at gulzar@indiatravelliveshop.com. OR contact Christine, and I will help.