Tibetan Handicrafts Cooperative

"Wandered in and browsed momentos including thangkas, statues, prayer flags etc. There handbook carpets are full wool, made by Tibetan women, and can be made on order. A hidden gem."

polchan chan

"Invest in quality items from this Tibetan artisinal co-operative with a history of 45 years. All items here are crafted by Tibetans, have a fixed price but I especially loved the carpets. These luxurious hand-crafted carpets are made by a co-operative of women, so each carpet purchased directly benefits the Tibetan refugees living in exile. Stunning designs which include Tibetan Buddhist and Tibetan cultural motifs.

The quality of these hand-crafted carpets are excellent. I've bought carpets in Agra and these are just as lush and thick, but the prices are fair and FIXED - there's no haggling over "tourist" prices.

The designs are distinctly Tibetan and the colours are incredibly vibrant.

This co-op employs women from the local Tibetan community, so the supply and production are completely ethical, transparent and fair. I was absolutely thrilled with the service, kindness and ethical sourcing of the carpets I saw in the production/ showroom.

They also custom-make designs using your choice of colours, and these can be sent overseas, also at a fair price.

I was lucky to find carpets I loved in the showroom and I purchased 3 carpets from the Tibetan Handicrafts Centre. I found them all to be of the highest quality, with the wool and finishing to match those I found in Agra and some I have seen at auction houses in Sydney.

I was also fortunate enough to have the history of this cooperative explained to me by the very kind Mr Tamding Tsering. Mr Tamding Tsering is the Production Manager here at the carpet cooperative, and he has been working here since its inception in 1962! Photos attached show the progression of the co-op since 1962. The very first photos show women using the looms in an outdoor space, skillfully creating exquisite carpets in the open air.

After some organising, on the 11th of April 1963, 45 Tibetan ladies formally started the "Women's Carpet Handicraft" and each of the ladies had a share of 117.40 rupees in this cooperative. The Dalai Lama's private office donated 5000 rupees to help this initiative, and 2 teachers loaned 1474 rupees (without interest) and funds from Tibetan Home Affairs Office brought the original investment of this co-op to 14257 rupees. This seems paltry by today's standards, but at that time, it meant empowerment and agency. With this initial funding, they were able to build a shed, next to a smaller building which served as a mess hall for the women.

1969 May 7 - the co-op was then registeredas an official cooperative expanding the cooperative (Registration #315) with an Indian export license FT-000115.

The Dalai Lama visited them in 1976 and blessed the co-op.

This place has history, and HEART.

At the height of this artisanal co-op in 1970's, there were about 300 women employed.

Now there are 30 women who work these looms and create future heirloom-quality carpets.

The diminishing knowledge of this skill and future scarcity is what makes these carpets even more valuable. Each carpet is already a work of art, hand-made by skillful artisans who are sharing their heritage and history. If you want to buy something of irreplaceable value and to give back to the Tibetan community in exile, please invest in one of these beautiful pieces of art."

P G

"How does this place not have more reviews!? This place was brilliant! Please buy your souvenirs from here rather than the other shops on the street because you’re actually supporting exiled Tibetans working here. They can make you carpets, wooden chests/coffee tables with carvings & they sell plenty of Tibetan trinkets that are pocket friendly too! The people working here were so friendly and were extremely happy to explain all about the items sold, Tibetan arts, prayer wheels and their mantras. The guy even gave me some pamphlets to take away describing in detail all about my purchases. Please please definitely give this place a visit when you go!"

Sam N