Fashionista 2020

Banarasi Saree

Banarasi Saree is made in Varanasi (also known as Benaras) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. These are the finest sarees in India and are known for their gold and silver brocked (known as zori in India), fine silk and opulent embroidery. Copper alloys plated in gold or silver known as zori threads. Because of this design these sarees are relatively heavy. Benarasi Sarees are mostly worn by Indian women on important occasions, such as attending a wedding or a party. These sarees are always complemented by woman’s best jewelry.

Red Banarasi Sarees are traditionally Indian women’s wedding dress.

The design of Banarasi Sarees largely consisted of Islamic motifs such as floral patterns, upright leaves called jhallar, jail work (a net like pattern) and mina work. There are four main varieties of Banarasi Sarees which includes Pure Silk (Katan), Organza (Kora) with zori and silk, Georgette and Shattir. Of these, Pure Silk varity is the most renowned. On the basis of design Banarasi Sarees are also classified into Jangla, Tanchoi, Vaskat, Cutwork, Tissue and Butidar.

Depending on the intricacy of its designs and patterns, a saree can take 15 days to six months to complete. Due to increasing price of gold and silver, a Banarasi Saree will cost approximate Rupees 5000 to Rupees 200,000 (US $ 75 to US $ 3000). It has a great resell value due to the zori.

These sarees are even passed down the generations just like precious jewellery.

Almost every married Indian woman has a Banarasi Saree in their custody as her wedding dress.