Banaras's GI-tagged wooden toys: a bright, eco-friendly souvenir straight from the lathe

Among the many crafts that fill Varanasi's bazaars, the city's lacquered wooden toys hold a special, colourful place. Recognised with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag as "Varanasi Wooden Lacquerware and Toys," these hand-turned pieces are made by artisan families — many in the Khojwa and Kashmiriganj neighbourhoods — who shape local wood on hand-operated lathes and finish it in vivid lac colours. What makes them a thoughtful gift is as much how they are made as how they look. The toys are crafted without joints, coloured with natural dyes, and are safe for young children — a tradition so woven into artisan life that, by lore, a new lathe was once added to a family when a child was born. The range runs from spinning tops and animal figures to nesting dolls, kitchen play sets and decorative pieces. In recent years artisans have been reimagining the craft for modern homes, turning the same lathe skills toward stools, lamps and statement decor while keeping the handmade spirit intact. Visitors can find the toys around Vishwanath Gali, Chowk and the Khojwa workshops. Picking one up supports a living craft and carries a little of Banaras's colour home.

Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources: District Varanasi — GI Produce · Gaatha — Wooden Lathe Toys, Varanasi