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Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Janpath
The Central Cottage Industries Emporium, known simply as the Cottage, is the Government of India's crafts store on Janpath in New Delhi, set up in 1948. It sells handicrafts and handlooms from across the country at fixed prices, and Delhi Tourism lists it as open from 10 am to 7 pm every day. Since 2025 the press has reported sparse shelves and unpaid staff, and in May 2026 stock was still limited, so expect fewer goods than its reputation suggests.
Five floors on Janpath, state-run since 1948, stocked with handicrafts and handlooms vetted from every part of the country: pashmina, carpets, bronzes, jewellery, furniture, tea. Nothing is negotiable and nothing needs to be: prices are fixed and authenticity is checked, which makes it the useful place to learn what a good shawl actually costs before you start bargaining in a bazaar. Shipping and foreign exchange are handled in-house, and Janpath metro is at the door.
Fixed prices and checked authenticity: the benchmark to visit before you bargain anywhere else
What the Cottage Emporium is
The store was established in 1948 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and in 1952 its management passed to the Indian Cooperative Union, with Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay among the people behind it. The idea was to give artisans a market and to keep India's craft traditions alive. Today it is a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles, housed in Jawahar Vyapar Bhavan on Janpath.
The guide's description: several floors of crafts and handlooms gathered from every part of the country, including pashmina, carpets, bronzes, jewellery, furniture and tea. Nothing is negotiable, and nothing needs to be.
Use it as a price benchmark
Fixed prices and checked authenticity make the Cottage useful even if you buy nothing. Come here first to learn what a good shawl, a piece of silver or a carpet actually costs, then cross the road to the Janpath stalls or go to other bazaars and bargain with a figure in mind. Delhi Tourism's own advice for Janpath is that you need to tell the fake from the genuine; this is the easiest place in central Delhi to see the genuine article side by side.
✅ What you can buy
- Handlooms: pashmina and other shawls, saris, dress material
- Carpets
- Metal crafts and bronzes
- Jewellery
- Furniture and decorative furnishings
- Tea and gifts
The same range, including GI-tagged regional crafts (products with a protected geographical origin), is sold through the Cottage's online store run under the Ministry of Textiles.
Stock and salary problems since 2025
In September 2025 Newslaundry reported that the emporium's shelves were largely empty: suppliers had gone unpaid for months, so new stock had stopped coming in, and about 250 staff were owed salaries. The store remained open. In May 2026 ThePrint reported that the government had approved a ₹81 crore revival package, with about ₹50 crore released since January, but staff still described sparse shelves and limited stock, and salaries were still months late. No closure has been announced. Treat a visit as a look rather than a guaranteed shopping trip, and call ahead (011 2332 0439) if you are coming for something specific.
Timings and how to reach
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm, open all days, according to Delhi Tourism.
The store is on Janpath, a short walk south of Connaught Place, opposite the Janpath street market. Janpath station on the Violet Line is at the door.
❓ FAQ
What is the Central Cottage Industries Emporium?
A Government of India crafts store on Janpath, founded in 1948, now under the Ministry of Textiles. It sells handicrafts and handlooms from across India at fixed prices.
What are the opening hours of the Cottage Emporium in Janpath?
10 am to 7 pm, every day, according to Delhi Tourism.
Can you bargain at the Cottage Emporium?
No. Prices are fixed, which is why it works as a benchmark before bargaining in street markets.
Is the Cottage Emporium still open?
No closure has been announced. Press reports from September 2025 and May 2026 describe an open store with sparse stock and unpaid staff, so call ahead if you need a particular item.
Which metro station is nearest?
Janpath on the Violet Line, right by the store.
Can I buy from the Cottage Emporium online?
Yes, the Cottage runs an online store under the Ministry of Textiles, with prices shown in rupees, euros or dollars.
Sources (5)
- Janpath, Delhi Tourism (Government of NCT of Delhi)
- Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Wikipedia
- Delhi's iconic Cottage Emporium now has empty shelves (Newslaundry, 5 Sep 2025)
- Cottage Emporium online store (Ministry of Textiles)
- Why Cottage Emporium workers are angrier even after Rs 81 cr relief (ThePrint, 21 May 2026)