Lakkar Bazaar

Lakkar Bazaar is a historic market located adjacent to The Ridge in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, specializing in wooden handicrafts and souvenirs. Established over a century ago by Sikh carpenters from Hoshiarpur, the market is renowned for hand-carved walking sticks, toys, and decorative items made from local wood. It remains a prominent cultural landmark and shopping destination reflecting Shimla's colonial-era craft traditions and Himalayan woodworking heritage.

Visitors can expect a pedestrian marketplace lined with shops selling handcrafted wooden items including walking sticks, toys, kitchenware, and decorative souvenirs. The bazaar is situated on a road adjoining The Ridge and offers a traditional shopping experience with local street food options available. Shoppers can observe or purchase woodwork crafted using techniques passed down through generations of Sikh carpenter families who settled in Shimla over a century ago.

Lakkar Bazaar was established over a century ago by a group of Sikh carpenters who migrated from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, and settled in Shimla. Initially comprising only four or five shops specializing in wooden walking sticks favored by British officers, the market gradually expanded to include various wooden souvenirs and decorative items, becoming an enduring symbol of Shimla's colonial-era craft heritage.

The market represents a living tradition of Himalayan woodworking sustained by descendant families of the original Sikh carpenter settlers. It serves as a cultural repository of indigenous craft techniques and continues to be a vital center for local artisans, preserving intangible cultural heritage while supporting the regional economy through tourism and traditional craftsmanship.