This review was originally posted in July 2012, and nothing at all has changed in my approval of this shop – except that the name has changed and they are now not at all tucked away in a corner at Santushti, but on a main lane in the same complex – just more visible.
I went there 3 weeks ago, and shopped, as I always do when I go there.
I will leave the original review pretty much as it is, below, and will add a few updated comments at the end (in another colour, to differentiate – blue, methinks) and some updated photos, as well as their new address. But I will change the name of the shop to its new one, so you don’t go off on a wild-goose chase.
July 2012
I was chatting yesterday over lunch with a girl-friend here in Delhi who knows a thing or two about pashminas and all manner of things Kashmiri.
I commented that the word “pashmina” seems to have traveled like wildfire around the globe, and has become oftentimes almost indistinguishable from the word “shawl”. Everyone seems to wear a “pashmina” these days.
Most Indian women still know their shawls and can identify a fake from real class with one quick glance, but for those of us less skilled, you need to be able to know and trust your dealer.
For years I have bought shawls from a shop tucked away in a quiet corner of that lovely peaceful shopping centre “Santushti”.
The shop, BARGHA, has a range of shawls, stoles, and scarves in just about every shade you could think of. You think you know what colour you want, and then you see all the gradations, and decision making goes out of the window.
The shop stocks top end pashminas, as well as a range of mixes – x % pashmina with x % silk or wool, and they scrupulously point out all the choices and qualities.
One of the things I appreciate about shopping at Bargha is that the staff are totally un-pushy, leaving you alone to browse at your own pace.
Speaking only for myself, I tend to flee a shop where the sales-people try to force my hand.
Personally recommended.
Oh yes, and by the way, I had been buying from them for years before I posted my original review, and only told them about it the next time I visited.
Fast forward to May 2014
So the shop is now more visible in the pretty Santushti complex, the name has changed, but otherwise it is the same quiet un-pushy service, which makes shopping there so relaxed.
And the same rows of wonderfully colour graded shawls…
I love, love, love these bright scarves with fabulous jewellery attached.
They will be on my shopping list for my next visit, I can tell you.
10/10 for consistently discreet service.
9/10 for range, price, quality.
Why have you never taken me there??!!
Oh. Gosh. January ?
Visit WEAVERS at 30, hauz khas village.. They have a fantastic collection of pashminas
http://www.facebook.com/weavers9
Thanks ! Will go check it out next week
Bargha sounds/looks very interesting but the link to the renamed shop http://www.kargha.com takes you to a site for wooden flooring and linens; it doesnt mention shawls or pashminas. Can you confirm whether Bargha is now Kargha and no longer trades in shawls? I will be in Delhi Jan 11-12 and might try to visit if you can clarify. thank you
Sherry,you are absolutely right. How odd. Just go to Santushti, and ignore the website! They are still selling shawls.
If you want to buy authentic Kashmiri pashmina shawls, visit Angad Creations Nehru Place, New Delhi. They have a huge range of handcrafted pashmina shawls made in Kashmir valley. The range includes Kalamkari, Kani, Sozni, Jamawars, Papier Mache and more.