My Heart Lives in a Banarasi...

" She looked so powerful in a Banarasi that even the Sun shied away from her radiance"

Originating from the holy town of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, a Banarasi saree, also known as a Banarasi silk saree, is by far, the most popular silk saree across India as well as the globe for its exquisite Mughal and Persian motifs, smooth texture and bright colours.

A favourite among the royals, the saree is mentioned in the Mahabharata as well as ancient Buddhist scriptures, signifying its historical importance and the rich cultural values attached to it. However what makes this saree so special in the present scenario?

Well, how can a saree, laden with gold and silk brocade, woven with fine silk and stunning embroidery not appeal a woman's eye? And not just women, all those who set their sights on a Banarasi saree, think of owning one or gift their loved ones to experience the beauty and elegance it radiates.

A lot of toiling goes behind the making of a Banarasi saree, with three men working day and night to weave a single saree. One has to weave the silk while the other dyes it and the third collects the dyed silk to form a bundle. Designs are charted out and once every bit of materail is assembled, the weaving commences. It takes around fifteen days to six months to finish one saree, so if you ever wish to own a Banarasi, you might have to order it way early. You might feel a bit frustrated, waiting for months to have your saree made, but trust me , every yarn of it is worth the wait.

If you are already thinking of buying one right now, let me stop you there. You should know the type of Banarasi sarees available in the market so that you can choose whichever you like the most and accordingly go for it. There are various branches under the Banarasi family tree namely:

Jangla, which is all about nature and festivities woven by colourful threads

Tanchoi, whose design will remind you of a maze or a kaleidoscope

Tissue, whose zari brocade work looks like a golden cloth

Cutwork , which gives off a dazzling look with the help of cutwork done on the plain texture

Butidar, also called as Ganga and Jamuna sarees due to their blue silken textures and gold and silver thread work.

And finally, a Jamdani gives a muslin cloth feeling where the silk fabrics are brocaded with cotton.

I don't think much needs to be said when it comes to buying a Banarasi saree. As someone rightly said "Beauty is not a figure of speech to be expressed in words rather an emotion to be felt by the heart, mind and the soul alone". When your pupils dilate with joy and a warm feeling spreads across your body, only then you will realize that you have experienced a thing of beauty.

To know more about our ethereal Banarasi collection, visit https://www.karagiri.com/collections/banarasi-silk-sarees