Banarasi Handloom | Banarasi Sarees

A Banarasi sari is a sari made in Varanasi, an ancient city which is also called Benares (Banaras). The saris are among the finest saris in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The saris are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and, because of these engravings, are relatively heavy. Their special characteristics intricate intertwining floral and foliate motifs, kalga and bel, a string of upright leaves called jhallar at the outer, edge of border is a characteristic of these saris. Other features are gold work, compact weaving, figures with small details, metallic visual effects, pallus, jal (a net like pattern), and mina work.

Ralph Fitch (1583–91) describes Banaras as a thriving sector of the cotton textile industry. The earliest mention of the brocade and Zari textiles of Banaras is found in the 19th century. With the migration of silk weavers from Gujarat during the famine of 1603, it is likely that silk brocade weaving started in Banaras in the seventeenth century and developed in excellence during the 18th and 19th century. During the Mughal period, around 14th century, weaving of brocades with intricate designs using gold and silver threads became the specialty of Banaras. The traditional Banarasi sari is done with cottage industry for about 1.2 million people associated directly or indirectly with the hand loom silk industry of the region around Varanasi encompassing Gorakhpur, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Jaunpur and Azamgarh districts. In the last few years, a variety of independent, Varanasi-based brands have emerged to revive the Banarasi sari and bring them directly to mainstream consumers, including Ekaya, Tilfi Banaras among others.

Banarasi sarees Varanasi have been famous throughout India for their elegance, grace and beauty. These sarees made of silk and gold/silver zari work are known to win the hearts of all people. In fact, these sarees have been highly respected and offered as blessings to daughters all over India for centuries. Traditionally speaking, these sarees have been a part of the bridal attire even for ages in India. Either a new bride gets married in a beautifully crafted silk saree from Banaras (Varanasi) or she wears one for her reception, marriage, function or other ceremonies before or after her wedding. That being said, these sarees from Banaras have also been developed with time. Now, these sarees are not just available in silk, but in other silk-based fabrics too such as cotton silk. So, if you have sensitive skin that needs to breathe, then you can opt for a cotton silk saree instead of a pure silk saree. These sarees can also be worn for other special occasions too. The design of your saree and the formality of the event dictate your clothing choices. So, if you plan on buying such a saree for yourself, you don’t have to go to Banaras. You can find a range of Banarasi sarees online on our shopping site Prithacrafts which offers multiple ranges of Banarasi Handloom including Banarasi Sarees with phekua, kadhua weaving techniques. Enjoy the beauty of traditional clothing from India with handworkers spending their time day and night and weaving carefully with their bare hands and crafted with love and passion. All Banarasi Handloom Products can be imported anywhere internationally via stripe payment gateway integrated in our site. Prithacrafts is a genuine exporter of Banarasi Handloom Products and has a valid Import-Export License registered under Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Govt. of India. We accept all sorts of online payment via Razorpay or Stripe Payment Gateway integrated. Thanks for visiting our site. We hope you will be fully satisfied from our service and product quality.