Trade Partners

The Spice Girls of Rajasthan

In the bustling spice market near Jodhpur’s iconic Clock Tower, Bhagwanti and her seven daughters have built a business that challenges convention. Known locally as the “Spice Girls,” the family behind MV Spices has carved out a place in a trade traditionally passed from father to son, turning determination, resilience and a shared passion for spices into an inspiring story of women-led entrepreneurship.

Begin your exploration with a walk through Jodhpur’s vibrant spice market, where the aromas of freshly ground spices fill the air and generations of trading traditions continue to shape everyday life. Meet Bhagwanti and her daughters at their shop and hear first-hand how they built their reputation in a fiercely competitive, traditionally male-dominated trade. 

Beyond the family’s story, experience the vibrant atmosphere of Jodhpur’s iconic Clock Tower and the bustling Sardar Market, where colourful stalls, fragrant spices, local produce and the flow of everyday commerce come together. Wander through its lively lanes, soak in the changing sights and sounds, and spend time at a local tea stall over a cup of tea. You can also choose a few spices to take home, carrying with you a little taste of Jodhpur and the stories of the people who bring its markets to life.

Experience Details

Their story of determination and resilience has received international attention, including the Australian documentary The Spice Girls of India, produced by Mind Blowing Films, and coverage in Lonely Planet, as referenced by international journalist Lavina Melwani.

Experience Details

  • Duration: 2.5 Hours
  • Inspiration: Food, Spices, Women Entrepreneurship & Living Traditions
  • Recommended Time of Day: Morning or Later Afternoon
  • Seasonality: All Year

Experience Highlights

  • Jodhpur’s Spice Market: Explore the bustling lanes near the iconic Clock Tower, discovering the aromas, ingredients and traditions that define the city’s spice trade.
  • Meet the Spice Girls: Spend time with Bhagwanti and her daughters and hear the story behind their family business.
  • The Art of Spice Blending: Discover how the family creates and blends its distinctive spice mixes, drawing on knowledge and experience built over time.
  • Women Challenging Convention: Understand the determination and resilience required to establish a women-led business in a traditionally male-dominated trade.
  • Spices, Stories & Chai: Choose a few spices to take home and share a cup of tea with at a local tea stall before continuing your market walk.

Best for

  • Indivudual Travellers: Ideal for curious travellers interested in local food cultures and to learn more about the people behind everyday traditions.
  • Couples & Small Groups: A personal, engaging encounter that offers a different perspective on Jodhpur beyond its forts and palaces.
  • Special Interest Groups: Particularly suited to culinary enthusiasts, food travellers, women’s entrepreneurship groups and those interested in social enterprise and grassroots business stories.

Social Impact

  • This experience brings travellers into direct contact with a locally rooted, women-led family business, creating opportunities for meaningful exchange and supporting local enterprise. By sharing the story of Bhagwanti and her daughters, it also celebrates the resilience, entrepreneurship and changing role of women in traditional markets. It offers a glimpse into the people and livelihoods that keep Jodhpur’s commercial and cultural traditions alive.

The Spice Girls of Rajasthan in Pictures

Visual storytelling of Jodhpur’s vibrant spice market, the family behind MV Spices, the craft of blending spices and the everyday encounters that bring this remarkable story to life.

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