Banarasi Saree

Banarasi

Banarasi silk sarees & Banarasi georgette sarees are up there in terms of fashion quotient. The zari that is woven into the fabrics makes the Banarasi Saree a stunning piece of art.

 Available at Delhi these Delhi Shops :- Banaras Ekaya, Ushnak Mool Chand Madan, Laffaire,

Gangotri (UP Government emporium),UMMoolchand India Emporium

 Kolkata:- Banarsi Kuthi, Priyo gopal

Adi Dakeshwari Bastralaya , India Silk House 

Shops in Chennai:- Man Mandir, Varsidhi

Banaras is the old name for Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.  It is one of India’s seven holy cities. Varanasi is a revered town on the banks of the River Ganges. One may also find reference to the temple town of Varanasi  in the scared texts such as the Upanishads and the Vedas.

In due course of time, Banaras/Varanasi became a centre for cotton and silk textile weaving in the 16th century. Ralph Fitch (1583–91) describes Banaras as a thriving sector of the cotton textile industry.

Banarasi Saree: What are they

Banarasi silk saree is in crafted with pure silk threads that are rich in form and colour with a lot of zari work. Moreover, these sarees are popular even today with celebrities such as Deepika and Sonam Kapoor wearing it at their respective wedding reception.Remember Anushka Sharma sported a Banarasi Saree at her wedding with cricket captain Virat Kohli?

Banarasi georgette sarees are much loved for their suppleness and grace. While, silk is heavy, Banarasi georgette is light & drapes well.

Banarasi Saree: How did it begin

In the 16th Century, silk weavers from Gujarat migrated to Varanasi leading to the popularity of silk weaving there. In addition, the Mughal rule brought in the influence of brocades and gold & silver threads that was incorporated into the silk weaving. It thus became a specialty of Benaras.

It certainly fits royalty through and through! All the kings and queens sported garments made with Banarasi Silk. The pure silk, Kora silks and georgette are the main varieties of Banarasi silks. One of the best Indian fabrics, Banarasi silks are famous all over the world as well.

Furthermore, many fake or copies of Banarasi silks are in circulation these days. This has also led to a lot of unrest in the Weavers Association. This is the reason why silks and sarees from these specific areas alone are known as Banarasi silks/sarees. These include the following: Varanasi, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Jaunpur and Azamgarh districts.