10 Types of Sarees in India
Indian sarees are traditional garments worn by women in India and other South Asian countries. A saree is a long piece of fabric that is draped around the body, with one end pleated and tucked into the waistband, and the other end draped over the shoulder.
Sarees are made in a wide variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, chiffon, georgette, and crepe. They are also available in a range of styles, designs, and colors, depending on the region and culture of India.
Sarees are often embellished with intricate embroidery, beadwork, sequins, and other decorative elements, which add to their beauty and elegance. They are worn for a variety of occasions, from daily wear to formal events such as weddings and parties.
In addition to the different fabrics and styles, there are also regional variations of sarees that are unique to specific parts of India. Some of the most popular regional sarees include Banarasi sarees from Varanasi, Kanjeevaram sarees from Tamil Nadu, Chanderi sarees from Madhya Pradesh, and Patola sarees from Gujarat, among others.
Indian sarees are highly valued for their beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance, and are considered to be a symbol of traditional Indian culture.
Here are some of the most popular types of sarees in India:
Banarasi Sarees
Banarasi sarees are one of the most popular and luxurious types of sarees in India. These sarees are made in Varanasi, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and are known for their intricate designs, heavy embroidery work, and rich fabric.
Banarasi sarees are made from fine silk and are woven using a special technique known as ‘zari’, which involves weaving gold or silver threads into the fabric. The intricate designs on the sarees are inspired by Mughal art and include floral and foliate motifs, as well as geometric patterns.
One of the unique features of Banarasi sarees is the use of ‘butidar’ designs, which are small floral or paisley motifs that cover the entire saree. The embroidery work on Banarasi sarees is also exquisite, and can include intricate designs using gold or silver thread, sequins, or beads.
Banarasi sarees are often worn on special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and other celebrations. They are considered a symbol of traditional Indian culture and are highly prized for their beauty and craftsmanship.
Kanjeevaram Sarees
Kanjeevaram sarees, also known as Kanchipuram sarees, are a type of silk saree that originate from the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, South India. These sarees are known for their vibrant colours, rich fabric, and intricate designs, making them a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions.
Kanjeevaram sarees are made from pure silk and are woven with a technique that involves using three different threads to create a strong and durable fabric. The borders and pallu (the end part of the saree) are typically decorated with intricate designs that include temple borders, peacock motifs, and other traditional Indian designs.
One of the unique features of Kanjeevaram sarees is the use of contrasting colours in the borders and pallu, which creates a striking visual effect. The sarees are also known for their heavy weight and stiffness, which gives them a distinct look and makes them stand out from other types of silk sarees.
Kanjeevaram sarees are highly prized for their beauty and craftsmanship and are considered to be a symbol of traditional South Indian culture. They are often passed down as family heirlooms and are treasured for their intricate designs and high quality.
Chanderi Sarees
Chanderi sarees are a type of traditional saree that is made in the town of Chanderi in the Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. These sarees are known for their sheer texture, delicate designs, and elegant look, making them a popular choice for formal occasions.
Chanderi sarees are typically made from a blend of silk, cotton, and zari (metallic thread) which gives them a lightweight and airy feel. The fabric is often transparent, and the sarees are decorated with delicate hand-woven designs that include floral motifs, geometrical patterns, and peacocks.
One of the unique features of Chanderi sarees is the use of traditional techniques such as the Jamdani and supplementary weft weaving, which create intricate designs on the fabric. The sarees are also known for their pastel shades and soft colours, which give them a feminine and sophisticated look.
Chanderi sarees are often worn by women in Madhya Pradesh and other parts of India during special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and other celebrations. They are highly prized for their beauty and craftsmanship and are considered to be a symbol of traditional Indian culture.
Bandhani Sarees
Bandhani sarees, also known as Bandhej sarees, are a type of traditional Indian saree that are known for their vibrant colors and tie-dye patterns. These sarees are typically made in Rajasthan and Gujarat, two states in western India, and are popular for their unique and intricate designs.
The process of making Bandhani sarees involves tying small sections of the fabric with thread before dyeing it. The tied sections resist the dye and create a pattern of small dots or squares on the fabric, giving the saree a unique and distinctive look. The designs can range from simple patterns to more elaborate motifs, and are often made using bright colors such as red, yellow, and green.
Bandhani sarees are typically made from cotton or silk, and are known for their light and breathable fabric. They are often decorated with additional embellishments such as zari work, embroidery, and mirror work, which add to their beauty and elegance.
Bandhani sarees are a popular choice for weddings, festivals, and other special occasions in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and other parts of India. They are highly valued for their beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance, and are often passed down as family heirlooms from one generation to the next.
Paithani Sarees
Paithani sarees are a type of traditional Indian saree that are named after the town of Paithan in Maharashtra, India. These sarees are known for their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and use of pure silk fabric, making them a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions.
Paithani sarees are typically made using the warp and weft technique, which involves weaving threads of different colors together to create a pattern on the fabric. The sarees are decorated with intricate designs that include peacocks, lotus flowers, and other traditional Indian motifs, and often feature a rich pallu (the end part of the saree) with bold and intricate designs.
One of the unique features of Paithani sarees is the use of zari work, which involves weaving gold or silver threads into the fabric to create intricate designs and add a touch of luxury to the saree. The colors used in Paithani sarees are also notable, with shades of purple, green, and magenta being particularly popular.
Paithani sarees are highly valued for their beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance, and are considered to be a symbol of traditional Maharashtrian culture. They are often passed down as family heirlooms and are treasured for their intricate designs, high quality, and timeless elegance.
Tussar Sarees
Tussar sarees, also known as Kosa silk sarees, are a type of silk saree that are made from wild silk produced by silkworms that feed on the leaves of the Tussar tree. These sarees are known for their rich texture, natural sheen, and unique look, making them a popular choice for formal occasions.
Tussar sarees are typically made in the eastern states of India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The fabric is lightweight and airy, with a slightly rough texture that adds to its charm. The sarees are often decorated with traditional Indian designs such as paisley motifs, floral patterns, and geometric shapes.
One of the unique features of Tussar sarees is the use of natural dyes, which are made from plant extracts and other natural materials. These dyes create a range of earthy tones and natural hues, including shades of brown, beige, and rust. The sarees are also known for their intricate embroidery, which adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the fabric.
Tussar sarees are often worn during formal occasions such as weddings, festivals, and other celebrations. They are highly valued for their beauty, craftsmanship, and natural sheen, and are considered to be a symbol of traditional Indian culture.
Patola Sarees
Patola sarees are a type of traditional Indian saree that are known for their intricate designs and rich colors. These sarees are made using a unique double ikat weaving technique, which involves dying both the warp and weft threads before weaving them together to create a pattern on the fabric.
Patola sarees are traditionally made in the Patan region of Gujarat, India, and are considered to be one of the finest and most expensive types of sarees in the country. The designs on the sarees often include intricate geometric patterns and motifs, such as flowers, animals, and birds, and are made using bright colors such as red, yellow, and green.
One of the unique features of Patola sarees is that the design on both sides of the fabric is identical, which is made possible by the double ikat weaving technique. This gives the saree a reversible quality, allowing it to be worn in different ways.
Patola sarees are highly valued for their beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance, and are often passed down as family heirlooms from one generation to the next. They are worn during special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and other celebrations, and are considered to be a symbol of traditional Gujarati culture.
Sambalpuri Sarees
Sambalpuri sarees are a type of traditional Indian saree that are known for their unique tie-dye designs and handloom weaving techniques. These sarees are traditionally made in the Sambalpur region of Odisha, India, and are highly valued for their beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance.
Sambalpuri sarees are made using a special tie-dye technique called Bandha, which involves tying small sections of the fabric with thread before dyeing it. The tied sections resist the dye and create a pattern on the fabric, giving the saree a unique and distinctive look. The designs can range from simple patterns to more elaborate motifs, and are often made using natural dyes in a range of colors such as black, red, and yellow.
The handloom weaving technique used to make Sambalpuri sarees is also unique, and involves weaving the warp and weft threads together by hand to create a soft and lightweight fabric. The sarees are often decorated with additional embellishments such as zari work, embroidery, and mirror work, which add to their beauty and elegance.
Sambalpuri sarees are a popular choice for weddings, festivals, and other special occasions in Odisha and other parts of India. They are highly valued for their unique designs, intricate weaving techniques, and cultural significance, and are often passed down as family heirlooms from one generation to the next.
Kota Doria Sarees
Kota Doria sarees are a type of lightweight saree that are made using a unique weaving technique that originated in the Kota region of Rajasthan, India. These sarees are known for their delicate and airy texture, which makes them comfortable to wear in hot and humid weather.
Kota Doria sarees are made using a blend of cotton and silk threads, which gives the fabric its distinctive sheen and softness. The weaving technique used to make these sarees involves interlacing fine cotton and silk threads in a checkered pattern, which creates a translucent and lightweight fabric.
Kota Doria sarees are often embellished with intricate designs and motifs, such as floral patterns and geometrical shapes. They are also available in a range of colors, from subtle pastels to bright and bold hues, making them suitable for a variety of occasions.
Kota Doria sarees are a popular choice for formal occasions such as weddings, parties, and other celebrations. They are highly valued for their unique texture, intricate designs, and cultural significance, and are considered to be a symbol of traditional Rajasthani culture.
Maheshwari Sarees
