TALES 》 Banarasi Sarees

The heart and soul of very weaver lies the intricacies

On the banks of holy river Ganga in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh state of North India, a spiritual city called Varanasi, this city is also called by the name Kashi, Benares and Banaras. Its a major religious hub, Hindus believe that death in the city will bring salvation, making it a major centre for pilgrimage. Kashi Vishwanath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva is Among the twelve Jyotirlingas.

A Banarasi saree is a saree made in Varanasi, these Banarasi sarees became more popular during the Mughal era. Its not a simple and easy tasks to weave these sarees, much of unity, team work is involved, atleast three craftsmen work together to make up one saree, ha that's passion. One of the basic Banarasi saree would take around 15 days to a month and sometimes more time to finish and more intricate ones sometimes up to six months to complete. Banaras Brocades and sarees gets GI tag, the language of communication for people here is Hindi and Urdu.

These exquisitely crafted beauties are available in varieties in Banarasi saree can be found in mediums such as

• Banarasi (Katan)pure silk sarees
• Banarasi silk chiffon saree
• Banarasi Tussar silk saree
• Banarasi cotton sarees
• Banarasi Georgette sarees
• Banarasi Shattir
• Banarasi Organza(Kora) silk saree with zari

Based on the design process, they are divided into categories

• Tanchoi brocades
• Zari/Amni brocades
• Tissue brocades
• Jangla
• Vaskat
• Cutwork
• Butidar
• Jamavar

The harmony of Motifs
The mind blowing creepers, buties, border, anchal(pallu) gives a saree glamourous look but original classic Banarasi sarees were embellished with authentic gold and silver threads for the 'Royal families', but in recent years the newer versions of Banarasi sarees are made affordable to everyone and are replaced by gold and silver colored threads. Few motifs which are seen in these sarees are Kamal known as Lotus motifs, gulab known as rose motifs, Daffodil motifs, Nilambari motifs, Genda buti known as Marigold motifs, Peacock motifs, paisley Motifs, Angoor means grapes motifs, Chameli known as Jasmine motif, tircha means diagonally striped motif, Panna hazar means thousand emeralds motifs, tara known as star motif, ashrafi known as circular coin-shaped motif, paan buti means betel nut leaves motif, these are mostly seen in gold and silver motifs and many more to add to this endless list.

Shopping in Banarasi
Few known best Banarasi products which one can shop when you visit this place are Banarasi silk Sarees, Banarasi stoles, Banarasi dupattas, Banarasi muffler, stone carved curios, Banarasi silk dhotis, Banarasi scarfs, Banarasi dress materials, Banarasi lehenga, Ganga Jal or the Holy water of Ganga, home furnishing, wall hanging, gulabi minakari, cushion covers and runners, perfumes, ivory works, copperware, wooden toys as Varanasi souvenirs, glass bangles, napkins, table covers, mats, Bhadohi carpets, Rudraksha mala(Indian rosary), brassware, curtains, Shivalinga made out of stone or crystal, exquisite gold jewellery, clay toys and last a dessert called Lal pedha.