TOP WHOLESALE MARKET IN VARANASI
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, is also home to several centuries-old wholesale markets dealing in silk, brassware, textiles, and general goods. Most of these markets sit in the narrow lanes of the old city near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganga ghats, where artisans and traders have worked for generations.
The market is a major source of income for the people of Varanasi, and it is also a major tourist attraction. Most markets are open from morning until late evening, and are crowded and noisy — but also colorful and vibrant, making them a great place to buy souvenirs or get a taste of local culture while sourcing goods at wholesale rates.
The market is a major source of income for the people of Varanasi, and it is also a major tourist attraction. Most markets are open from morning until late evening, and are crowded and noisy — but also colorful and vibrant, making them a great place to buy souvenirs or get a taste of local culture while sourcing goods at wholesale rates.
1. Thatheri Bazar
Thatheri Bazar is a UNESCO-recognised, centuries-old brass and copper market near the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (also called the Monkey Temple). "Thathera" means smith in Hindi, and this lane has been home to brass and copperworking artisans for generations, producing everything from puja items and idols to household utensils, door fittings, and decorative pieces — much of it sold wholesale directly from the workshops.
Location: Thatheri Bazar, Ghasi Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Timings: 10.00am- 8.00pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Timings: 10.00am- 8.00pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
2. Vishwanath Gali
Vishwanath Gali is one of the oldest and busiest lanes in Varanasi, running between Gyanvapi Chowk and Dashashwamedh Ghat right past the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It's a major shopping destination for Banarasi silk sarees, brass and wooden idols, meenakari jewelry, and wooden toys — many shops here sell to retailers and other dealers in bulk alongside individual tourists.
Vishwanath Gali is one of the oldest and busiest lanes in Varanasi, running between Gyanvapi Chowk and Dashashwamedh Ghat right past the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It's a major shopping destination for Banarasi silk sarees, brass and wooden idols, meenakari jewelry, and wooden toys — many shops here sell to retailers and other dealers in bulk alongside individual tourists.
Location: Vishwanath Gali, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Timings: 10.00am-8.00pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Timings: 10.00am-8.00pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
3. Godowlia Market
The Godowlia market is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Varanasi, located right at the Godowlia crossing near Dashashwamedh Ghat. The market is filled with shops selling everything from clothes and jewellery to food and souvenirs.The market is busiest in the morning, when locals come to buy fresh vegetables, fruits and other groceries; it stays busy in the evening too, when tourists shop for souvenirs and handicrafts.There are a number of well-known shops in the market dealing in sarees and jewellery, and it's a great place to find bargains on clothes, jewellery, and food at a fraction of mall or supermarket prices.The Godowlia market is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Varanasi. It is a great place to buy souvenirs, eat Indian food and experience the vibrant culture of this amazing city.
The Godowlia market is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Varanasi, located right at the Godowlia crossing near Dashashwamedh Ghat. The market is filled with shops selling everything from clothes and jewellery to food and souvenirs.The market is busiest in the morning, when locals come to buy fresh vegetables, fruits and other groceries; it stays busy in the evening too, when tourists shop for souvenirs and handicrafts.There are a number of well-known shops in the market dealing in sarees and jewellery, and it's a great place to find bargains on clothes, jewellery, and food at a fraction of mall or supermarket prices.The Godowlia market is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Varanasi. It is a great place to buy souvenirs, eat Indian food and experience the vibrant culture of this amazing city.
Location: Dashashwamedh Ghat Road, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221001
Timings: 9.30am-10.30pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Timings: 9.30am-10.30pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
4. Rajan Silk Store
Rajan Silk Store is a well-known name for buying genuine Banarasi silk in bulk. The store deals in handloom Banarasi sarees, dupattas, and silk fabric, and is popular with retailers and individual buyers alike looking for authentic handwoven silk rather than machine-made imitations.The Rajan Silk Store is also a great place to buy wedding clothes. You can find beautiful silk saris and dupattas for weddings here, made of high-quality silk in a wide range of colors and designs.If you're looking for genuine handloom silk at wholesale prices, Rajan Silk Store is worth the visit.
Rajan Silk Store is a well-known name for buying genuine Banarasi silk in bulk. The store deals in handloom Banarasi sarees, dupattas, and silk fabric, and is popular with retailers and individual buyers alike looking for authentic handwoven silk rather than machine-made imitations.The Rajan Silk Store is also a great place to buy wedding clothes. You can find beautiful silk saris and dupattas for weddings here, made of high-quality silk in a wide range of colors and designs.If you're looking for genuine handloom silk at wholesale prices, Rajan Silk Store is worth the visit.
Location: Ground Bulanala Maidagin Road, beside Bank Of India New Market Ash Bhairo, Govindpura, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Timings: 11.00am-7.00pm (closed Sundays)
Weekly closure: Sunday
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Timings: 11.00am-7.00pm (closed Sundays)
Weekly closure: Sunday
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
5. Dal Mandi Market
Dal Mandi (literally "Lentil Market") is one of the oldest and largest markets in Varanasi's old city, stretching from Beniyabagh towards the Chowk area near Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Historically a trading hub for pulses, it has evolved over generations into a major market for women's clothing, accessories, cosmetics, jewellery, and wedding-related items, with traders from across the Purvanchal region sourcing stock here in bulk.
Dal Mandi (literally "Lentil Market") is one of the oldest and largest markets in Varanasi's old city, stretching from Beniyabagh towards the Chowk area near Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Historically a trading hub for pulses, it has evolved over generations into a major market for women's clothing, accessories, cosmetics, jewellery, and wedding-related items, with traders from across the Purvanchal region sourcing stock here in bulk.
Location: 209, Dalmandi Rd, Harha, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Timings: 10.00am-11.00pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Timings: 10.00am-11.00pm
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
6. Shri Khatu Ji Wholesale Bazar
As the name suggests, this is a dedicated wholesale destination for Banarasi sarees in the Chetganj/Maldahiya area, with a wide range spanning mid to high-end pure silk sarees. It's a popular stop for retailers and saree dealers from outside Varanasi who come specifically to buy in bulk at wholesale rates, with the option of detailed video consultations for those unable to visit in person.
As the name suggests, this is a dedicated wholesale destination for Banarasi sarees in the Chetganj/Maldahiya area, with a wide range spanning mid to high-end pure silk sarees. It's a popular stop for retailers and saree dealers from outside Varanasi who come specifically to buy in bulk at wholesale rates, with the option of detailed video consultations for those unable to visit in person.
Location: J.S C.21, 30 A, Pisachmochan Road, near Ganga Palace, Maldahiya, Chetganj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002
Timings: 10:00am to 9:00pm (11am-7pm Sundays)
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Timings: 10:00am to 9:00pm (11am-7pm Sundays)
Weekly closure: Open on all days
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Conclusion
The wholesale markets of Varanasi are a major attraction for tourists, traders, and retailers alike. They are among the oldest in India, each specialising in a different craft built up over centuries — brass and copperware at Thatheri Bazar, silk at Rajan Silk Store and Shri Khatu Ji Wholesale Bazar, and a wide mix of general goods at Godowlia, Vishwanath Gali, and Dal Mandi.The atmosphere is lively and vibrant, and the markets are always crowded with shoppers and traders sourcing stock in bulk.If you're looking for a unique and interesting shopping or sourcing experience, the Varanasi wholesale markets are definitely worth a visit.
The wholesale markets of Varanasi are a major attraction for tourists, traders, and retailers alike. They are among the oldest in India, each specialising in a different craft built up over centuries — brass and copperware at Thatheri Bazar, silk at Rajan Silk Store and Shri Khatu Ji Wholesale Bazar, and a wide mix of general goods at Godowlia, Vishwanath Gali, and Dal Mandi.The atmosphere is lively and vibrant, and the markets are always crowded with shoppers and traders sourcing stock in bulk.If you're looking for a unique and interesting shopping or sourcing experience, the Varanasi wholesale markets are definitely worth a visit.
