| Of all the things that Varanasi is famous for, the | | | | The Banarasi Sari is generally a little costlier than the |
| Banarasi Sari, a rich Sari made by expert weavers | | | | other type of Saris. The reason is simple. The |
| using the finest of silks, stands out. Banaras is one of | | | | weavers use the best quality silk yarn that is brought |
| the more commonly used names for Varanasi in India | | | | from Karnataka, another state in India, unlike the China |
| and hence the sari's that were weaved here became | | | | silk which is low quality and cheaper. Secondly, the |
| famous as 'Banarasi Sari'. The Sari is the traditional | | | | Banarasi saree is woven on handlooms unlike those |
| costume of Indian women and the 'Banarasi Sari' | | | | woven on powerlooms. The former is not only better |
| epitomizes the best of the breed. It is said that the | | | | in terms of design and motif but also in terms of |
| Banarasi Sari is veritable a 'poetry in silk'. | | | | weaving quality and durability. And of course, there is |
| The history of the silk industry in Varanasi is traditionally | | | | the exotic artistry of the weavers in Varanasi who |
| linked to the Muslim community, which for almost 800 | | | | have been rendering these masterpieces for the past |
| years was in charge of production. The exotic art of | | | | few centuries. Their embroidery work (called Zardozi) |
| weaving perfected by the weavers in Varanasi | | | | is an art to behold. |
| remains unmatched. One of the unique features of the | | | | The common types of Banarasi sarees include the |
| Banarasi Sari is the heavy gold brocade which has an | | | | pure banarasi silk sari, georgette sari, Meenakri, |
| extra weft of rich gold thread running across the warp | | | | Zardozi,Cansal, Jamvar, Navrangi and Jamdani. It is the |
| threads. The motifs are picked up in silk thread and | | | | dream of every Indian woman to own at least one |
| bright colors are added in the unique style called | | | | original Banarasi saree and Indian brides love to drape |
| Meenakari that is used in gold jewellery. The all over | | | | themselves in the 'poetry in silk' epitomized by a pure |
| gold brocade known as kimkhab carries patterns of | | | | banarasi sari. Travelers from around the world who |
| 'jal' a trellis enclosing stylized rounded bits. Another | | | | come to Varanasi and who are aware of the quality |
| variety consists of fine tissue like gold cloth which has | | | | of Banarasi saris, make it a point to visit the popular |
| warp and weft of gold thread and the patterns | | | | shopping centers in Varanasi to buy their favourite |
| worked in silk and gold thread. Generally, the | | | | Banarasi Sari. It's one opportunity they don't wish to let |
| background material is woven in silk and the patterns in | | | | go off. |
| gold. | | | | |