Top Five Places to Buy Sarees in India

Recently, my Bengali domestic help told me that I don’t wear kapda often enough! I was a bit taken aback. As far as I can see in the mirror, I have been clothed since I was born! It took me some time but finally I understood what she was trying to say – it was as simple as “I don’t wear the saree often enough”. So I decided to take it upon myself to replenish my saree wardrobe and understand a little more about this beautiful garment that never goes out of fashion. Here is a list of the best places to buy sarees in India.

Benaras

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Every Indian bride would want a Benarasi silk saree as part of her trousseau. Made in the city of Varanasi, these sarees are amongst the finest you can find in India. They are known for their gold and silver zari or brocade work, woven with the finest of silks to create intricate and opulent designs. The kalga and bel (floral motifs) are inspired by Mughal designs and so is the jhallar - upright leaves, that form the outer edge of the saree. The pallu has a distinctive feature of a heavy intricate design woven in silk, gold or silver thread. Tanchoi, Jangla, Cutwork, Butidar and Vaskat are the different varieties made in silk, organza and georgette.

Shopping Hubs: Want to buy Sarees? Head to Chowk, Godoulia Market (Dashswamedh Gali) and Vishwanath Gali are the main markets where you can see a wide range of these amazing sarees. Look around a bit before you buy to make sure you get the best price and the best saree.

Chennai

Tamil Nadu is home to the beautiful Kanjivaram saree. It is the best place for some serious saree shopping. Two people are needed to weave a Kanjivaram saree using three shuttles. It’s a saree woven in silk. Moons, suns, chariots, animals, birds, mango motifs and leaves are the patterns woven onto the saree. The pallu and the border are usually of a contrasting colour to the saree and have gold thread woven in with the silk. These sarees are usually very heavy and worn for special occasions. Chennai is a great place to buy Kanjivaram sarees and a whole array of other varieties. You can get cotton, silk and synthetic sarees made by weavers across India.

Shopping Hubs: The major hotspot to buy sarees is T. Nagar with famous shops like Nalli, Kumaran Silks, Sree Kumaran Stores, Chennai Silks, RmKV and others. Kumaran Silks and Nalli are probably the pioneers in this field and you are sure to get good prices at their stores.

Kota

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Kota is famous for the Doria saree, which is woven on a traditional pit loom that creates a square check pattern on the fabric. The yarn is smeared with a paste of onion juice and rice to make it strong, so no additional finishing is required. Even though it has a silk thread mixed with the cotton, the cotton Doria sarees are very cool to wear in the summer.

Shopping Hubs: To buy sarees in Kota, head to Main Bazaar and the Government Emporia.

Kolkata

The white cotton saree with the red border called Lal Paar Saree is synonymous with the women of West Bengal. These sarees are not only worn at the time of Durga Puja but are an integral part of a Bengali woman’s wardrobe. Tassar and Vishnupuri silk are also from this area as is the Tant Cotton Saree.

Shopping Hubs: Want to go saree shopping? New Market and the Dakshinapan Shopping Complex are good places to buy sarees in Kolkata. Other places that are also famous for traditional Bengali sarees are Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal on M.G.Road and Adi Dhakeswari Bastralaya in Gariahat

Mysore

Karnataka contributes to 70% of India’s production of mulberry silk, which mainly grows in the Mysore district. If you are searching for a range of sarees in different varieties and colors, head to Mysore.

Shopping Hubs: Badsha’s Saibeen Silks, Sukri’s Silks and Menaka Silks are all located on Devaraj Urs Road. They stock Mysore silks but also have an extensive range of sarees from Kanjivarams, Pochampallis and Banarasi to embroidered and all kinds of designer sarees. The State Emporium and Bhojayya Shilpa Silks are located in the heart of the city at KR Circle. These boast of the best ethnic collection.

So the next time when you visit one of these places, don’t forget to buy a saree and don't forget to share your experiences with us.

Happy shopping!