Soapstone Artefacts

About the craft

Just outside the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat there is a local market run by the people of the area, who carve small, intricate artefacts and marble idols. The work is fine and the pieces are deliberately small, and the market exists because the stone and the skill are both local to this stretch of the Narmada.

What is on sale

Small carved artefacts

The bulk of the stalls sell small carved pieces, worked with a lot of detail for their size. These are the easiest things to carry home and the most representative of the local skill.

Marble idols

Carved marble idols are the other mainstay of the market. Sizes vary, and so does the fineness of the carving, which is worth comparing across a few stalls before you buy.

Shopping here

The market sits at the entrance to the Marble Rocks, so almost nobody comes here specially. Give yourself a little time after the boat ride instead of browsing in a rush.

• Walk a few stalls before buying. Carving quality varies and so do prices.
• Look closely at the detail work, which is where the difference between pieces shows.
• Carry small notes, and ask before assuming card payment is available.
• Have heavier pieces wrapped properly for the journey back.

Best time to shop

The stalls run with the visitor traffic to the Marble Rocks, so they are liveliest when the boats are busy and quieter out of season. Shopping after the boat ride rather than before it means you are not carrying purchases onto the water.