Banarasi Silk Saree

Banarasi Silk Saree from Uttar Pradesh

These are one of the expensive Saree in India. They are made in the Varanasi region of Uttar Pradesh. The sarees are one of the finest sarees in India and are known for zari work, fine silk, and embroidery.

Banarasi Silk (also known as Benarasi SIlk) is a fine variant of Silk originating from the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Saree woven from this fine silk, known as a Banarasi Silk Saree is extremely popular all over India and across the world.

Originally crafted exclusively for royalty, Banarasi sarees have a rich history hidden within its silken weaves. In the olden days, these sarees were crafted from real gold and silver threads and took almost a year to make. However, nowadays, thanks to highly skilled artisans with nimble hands and the soaring demand for the weave, Banarasi sarees are more accessible and remain a desirable addition to every bride’s wardrobe, akin to owning a piece of luxurious history.

It is often confused with the Kanjivaram, another variety of India’s finest silk sarees. The only way to differentiate between a Kanjivaram saree and a Banarasi silk saree is by taking a closer look at the designs woven into the six yards. While Kanjivaram sarees feature temple borders, checks, stripes, coins, and floral motifs originating from Tamil Nadu, the Banarasi saree, with roots in Varanasi, typically has Mughal-inspired motifs.

Best buying tips to ensure your Banarasi saree is authentic

• Pure Banarasi sarees are made from high quality silk and real gold and silver zari, and tend to be costly. Stay away from cheap options that seem too good to be true.
• Check the reverse side for floats between the grids of warps and wefts, which only a hand woven saree will have. Machine woven saree do not have these.
• Look for a patch of plain silk, about 6 to 8 inches long, on the pallu.
• Real Banarasi sarees will carry Mughal motifs like amru, ambi and Domak, as well as fine floral and foliage motifs like kalga and bel, which fakes do not have.
• Banarasi sarees now have their own GI protection to demarcate original pieces from weavers in Uttar Pradesh against fakes from China, Surat or others.
• While buying pure silk sarees, always insist on a certificate from Silk Mark Organisation of India.