From Bur Dubai to Sharjah, discover the UAE’s top shopping destinations for Onam outfits and traditional jewellery.
Onam season turns Bur Dubai, Karama and Meena Bazaar into vibrant hubs filled with gold-bordered Kasavu sarees and crisp white mundus. Whether you’re looking for the perfect festive outfit or matching jewellery, here’s a guide to some of the best places to shop across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
1. Weavers Boutique — Sarees, mundus and festive wear
Weavers Boutique has earned a loyal customer base for its wide selection. Shop owner Jayanthi told Gulf News about one customer who purchased seven mundus during a single visit. Alongside its range of men’s traditional wear, the store stocks tissue, Kasavu and cotton sarees in a variety of festive designs.
Looking for jewellery to complete your Onam look? You can browse the store’s website or visit the shop in person to find sarees, bangles, necklaces and earrings.
It’s a good choice if you’re looking for ready-to-wear, reasonably priced festive clothing without having to visit multiple stores.
Where to look: Barsha First, Al Barsha, Dubai
2. Kalyan Silks
Kalyan Silks is a popular name among shoppers looking for traditional Onam wear in the UAE. With branches in Karama near LuLu, Al Qusais, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, it is a convenient choice for families shopping for festive outfits.
The store is known for its collection of settu mundus and Kasavu sarees, making it another reliable destination for traditional Kerala attire. One shopper on Reddit shared how a planned purchase turned into two sarees after spotting another design in-store — and the second choice proved to be a hit as well.
With its wide selection and multiple UAE locations, Kalyan Silks is a good option to add to your Onam shopping list.
Why shoppers choose it:
- Wide selection, although the variety of designs is somewhat limited.
- In-store tailoring services are available.
- Pro tip: If your preferred dhavani size is unavailable, consider buying a settu mundu instead and wearing just the mundu portion as a dhavani.
3. Mulberrys
Mulberrys is another popular choice for Onam shopping, with branches across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. While shoppers say its pieces can cost around Dh50–70 more, the store makes up for the difference with a wider and more varied selection of designs.
If you’re willing to spend a little extra for something more distinctive and stylish, Mulberrys is worth considering for your festive wardrobe.
4. For complete traditional jewellery sets
For jewellery that complements your Onam outfit, Rahz Jewels Dubai specialises in South Indian traditional designs. Its collection includes temple jewellery, coin malas, Kasu malas, Lakshmi harams, mango malas, glass bangles, jhumkas, hip belts and complete bridal sets.
The selection also makes it suitable for occasions such as Onam, Valakkappu (Seemantham) and Kerala weddings.
5. Ornate Jewels and Gifts
Located in School Zone, Muweilah, Industrial Area, Sharjah, Ornate Jewels and Gifts offers a range of Kerala-style jewellery starting from around Dh30. The collection includes Kasu malas, mango malas, Palakka malas, Nagapadam and other traditional festive pieces.
If you want to achieve a classic Kerala look without spending too much, this could be a budget-friendly option.
6. Onam offers across three locations
Zivora Gold is running special Onam promotions from August 15 to 30 across its Karama, Deira Gold Souk and Qusais Madina Mall outlets. It’s worth checking out if you’re already shopping for gold in these areas and want to take advantage of festive offers.
7. Looking for classic and luxury pieces?
With outlets at Karama Centre in Dubai and Safari Mall in Sharjah, Mila Gold offers a selection of elegant and eye-catching jewellery designs that can add a traditional touch to your Onam look.
8. LuLu Hypermarket and Nesto — The one-stop option
Short on time? LuLu Hypermarket and Nesto offer convenient, ready-to-wear collections of Kerala-style outfits and Onam essentials. While their selections may not be as extensive as those of dedicated boutiques, they’re practical options when you need to shop quickly.
LuLu Fashion Stores also offers festive collections for men, women and children, combining traditional styles with contemporary designs. As part of its seasonal promotions, shoppers spending Dh200 can receive a Dh50 discount, with additional offers available on selected bank cards.
The neighbourhoods to know
If you prefer exploring shops in person rather than visiting stores one by one, Bur Dubai, Karama and Meena Bazaar are among the best areas to start. These neighbourhoods have a high concentration of stores selling Kasavu sarees, mundus and traditional jewellery, and many are equipped to handle bulk family purchases.
Al Qusais and Muhaisnah’s Madina Mall are also worth exploring, with several South Indian outlets located in and around these areas.
