Popular Sarees in India from each state

I have been exploring about Sarees or Sari in India. Sari in Sanskrit means a strip of cloth. It is the oldest form of garment in the world worn by Indian women. It is four-and-a-half to eight meters of cloth – draped around the lower body and then with a tactful pleating process folded across the upper body.

So, what are the popular sarees in India? There is a large variety and diversity of sarees and popular sarees based on region, state, and various other factors. Best way to have it answered is go statewise. The popular sarees in India are as below.

1. ANDHRA PRADESH – Venkatagiri Sari, Mangalagiri Silk saris, Uppada Silk saris, Chirala saris, Bandar saris, Bandarulanka, Kuppadam saris, Dharmavaram silk sari
2. TAMIL NADU – Kanchipuram Silk Sari (locally known as Kanjipuram Pattu), Arani silk, Chettinad saris, Kumbakonam Sari, Thirubuvanam Sari, Coimbatore cotton sarees, Salem silk sarees, Chinnalampattu or Sungudi, Kandangi, Rasipuram silk saris, Koorai, Arni silk sari, Chennai sarees, Karaikudi sarees, Madurai cotton saris, Tiruchirappalli saris, Nagercoil saris, Thoothukudi Sari, Thanjavur saris, Tiruppur sarees
3. KARNATAKA – Ilkal Sari, Mysore silk, Molakalmuru Sari, Sulebhavi sari
4. KERALA – Kerala Sari, Balarampuram
Mundum Neriyathum, Mayilati silk, Kannur cotton, Kalpathi silk saris, Maradaka silk, Samudrikapuram silk and cotton, Kasargod
5. MADHYA PRADESH – Chanderi Saree, Maheshwari in Maheshwar, Dhokra silk 6. CHHATTISGARH – Kosa Silk Sari
7. WEST BENGAL – Tant sari, Baluchari Sari in Bishnupur, Kaantha Sari, Garode / Korial in Murshidabad, Shantipuri cotton in Shantipur, Phulia 8. ASSAM – Muga Silk Sari
9. LADAKH, JAMMU AND KASHMIR – Kashmiri Silk
10. ODISHA – Sambalpuri Ikat or Bandha Saree, Sonepuri Silk (Bomkal from Ganjam), Patta from Berhampur, Khandua from Cuttack and Nuapatna, Kotpad from Koraput, Ikat from Samabalpur, Sonepur and Boudh, Habaspuri from Kalahandi, Dongria from Rayagada and Kalahandi, Saktaput from Bargarh
11. MAHARASHTRA – Paithani Saree, Uppada Silk, Banarasi Silk Saree, Kanjeevaram Silk Saree, Kohlapuri Saree, Kota Silk Saree, Chanderi Silk saree
12. ARUNACHAL PRADESH – Traditional Wear
13. NAGALAND – Nagaland Cotton Saree
14. TELANGANA – Pochampally or Puttapaka Saree, Narayanpet sarees, Gadwal sarees, Mangalgiri sarees, Dharmavaram sarees, Uppada sarees, Venkatagiri sarees
15. MANIPUR – Traditional Costumes
16. MIZORAM – Mizo Silk Saree
17. TRIPURA – Tripura Silk Saree
18. MEGHALAYA – Meghalaya Endi Silk and Mulberry Silk Saree
19. SIKKIM – Bakhu/Kho, Dumvum, Shuruval, Pharia and a wedding attire
20. JHARKHAND – Silk Sarees
21. ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS – Local costumes by local people
22. GUJARAT, DAMAN AND DIU – Bandhani, Patola
23. HIMACHAL PRADESH – Kulluvi Pattu
24. PUNJAB – Salwar Kameez
25. BIHAR – Bhagalpuri Silk Saree or Tussar Silk, Khadi Womens’s sarees, and Madhubani Designer sarees
26. UTTAR PRADESH, DELHI – Banarasi Sari
27. UTTARAKHAND – Traditional Dresses
28. HARYANA – Haryana Silk Sarees
29. CHANDIGARH – Salwar Kameez
30. RAJASTHAN – Kora Daria, Leheriya sarees, Rajasthani Chunri sarees, Rajasthani Print Saree, Rajasthani Embroidery Sarees, Gota Work Saree, Bandhani Saree
31. GOA – Designer Sarees
32. LAKSHADWEEP – Kachi

Below are details of all the states’ popular sarees and other traditional wear where saree is not popular.

ANDHRA PRADESH

Venkatagiri Sari

Venkatagiri Sari is a sari style woven in Venkatagiri of Nellore district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. In the days during Velugoti dynasty in early 1700s, they were mostly weaved for queens, royal women and Zamindaris. The saris are made from fine cotton and the most significant is the use of zari. The Venkatagiri sari has different varieties like, Venkatagiri 100, Venkatagiri-putta and Venkatagiri-silk, with the Venkatagiri 100 being popular of all.

Other popular sarees in Andhra Pradesh are Mangalagiri Silk saris, Uppada Silk saris, Chirala saris, Bandar saris, Bandarulanka, Kuppadam saris, Dharmavaram silk sari.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

TAMIL NADU

Kanchipuram Silk Sari (locally known as Kanjipuram Pattu)

The Kanchipuram silk sari is a type of silk sari made in the Kanchipuram region in Tamil Nadu. These saris are worn as bridal & special occasion saris by most women in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh. The patterns and designs in the kanchipuram saris were inspired with images and scriptures in South Indian temples or natural features like leaves, birds and animals. These are saris with rich woven pallu showing paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Kanchipuram saris vary widely in cost depending upon the intricacy of work, colours, pattern, material used like zari (gold thread) etc. The silk is also known for its quality and craftsmanship, which has helped earn its name.

Other popular sarees in Tamil Nadu are Arani silk, Chettinad saris, Kumbakonam Sari, Thirubuvanam Sari, Coimbatore cotton sarees, Salem silk sarees, Chinnalampattu or Sungudi, Kandangi, Rasipuram silk saris, Koorai, Arni silk sari, Chennai sarees, Karaikudi sarees, Madurai cotton saris, Tiruchirappalli saris, Nagercoil saris, Thoothukudi Sari, Thanjavur saris, Tiruppur sarees.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

KARNATAKA

Ilkal Sari

Ilkal sari is a traditional form of sari which is a common feminine wear in India. Ilkal sari takes its name from the town of Ilkal in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka state, India. Ilkal saris are woven using cotton warp on the body and art silk warp for border and art silk warp for pallu portion of the sari. The uniqueness of sari is joining of the body warp with pallu warp with a series of loops locally called as TOPE TENI technique. There four different traditional designs produced – Chikki Paras, Gomi, and recently modified traditional design Gayathri.

Other popular sarees in Karnataka are Mysore silk, Molakalmuru Sari, Sulebhavi sari.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

KERALA

Kerala Sari

It is worn as a garment that closely resembles the mundum neriyathum (the traditional clothing of women in Kerala which covered only the lower part of the body). Though it is not considered a true mundum neriyathum by classic definition. Kerala sari is regarded as the cultural costume of women of the Malayali community. The grace and appeal of the golden borders contrasting with the otherwise plain white mundum neryathum of Keralite women has come to symbolize Malayali women. The sari is a hot favorite during the time of Onam, not just in Kerala but in other parts of India as well.

Other popular sarees in Kerala are Balarampuram, Mundum Neriyathum, Mayilati silk, Kannur cotton, Kalpathi silk saris, Maradaka silk, Samudrikapuram silk and cotton, Kasargod.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

MADHYA PRADESH

Chanderi Saree

Chanderi sari is a traditional sari made in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, India. Chanderi saris are produced from three kinds of fabric: pure silk, Chanderi cotton and silk cotton. Traditional coin, floral art, peacocks and geometric designs are woven into different Chanderi patterns. The saris are among the finest in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk, and opulent embroidery.

Other sarees popular in Madhya Pradesh are Maheshwari in Maheshwar, Dhokra silk.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

CHHATTISGARH

Kosa Silk Sari

Kosa silk is a type of Tussar silk which is basically produced in central India in Chattisgarh region. Kosa silk is known for its comfort and popular in other countries. Kosa silk is known for it’s sturdiness and is preferred to pure silk in the state of Chattisgarh. Korba and Champa in Chattisgarh are two places in India where Kosa Silk is highly produced. The Kosa Silk produced in ‘Champa’ is treated as the best silk all over the world. Kosa silk is known for it’s soft texture and purity, known for it’s dual golden brownish look, it is available naturally in shades of pale golden and dull golden brown.

WEST BENGAL

Tant Sari

Tant sari is a traditional Bengali sari, originating from the Bengal region in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, and usually used by Bengali women. It is not that Bengali women wear this saree, if you see anyone in this saree, they look and feel like Bengali. These are perfect for hot and humid weather. Designs include Paisley’s flowers, stars etc.

The other sarees popular in West Bengal are Baluchari Sari in Bishnupur, Kaantha Sari, Garode / Korial in Murshidabad, Shantipuri cotton in Shantipur, Phulia,

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

ASSAM

Muga Silk Sari

Assam is famous for its silk handloom and the weavers’ expertise in different types of silk like Eri, Muga, Pat and many others. Muga silk is one of it’s popular contribution to the history of sarees. Muga means yellowish in Assamese. Unlike usual sarees, some of Muga sarees would have two parts – one draped from the waist downwards. And the upper portion has one end tucked at the waist while rest is draped around the upper body.

LADAKH

Kashmiri Silk

Ladakh is particularly famous for wool. When it comes to sarees, Kashmiri Silk is popular here too in general.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Kashmiri Silk

The mulberry silk produced in the Valley is taken to faraway western. It is known as Kashmiri Silk all across India. Kashmiri silk sarees have a luxurious look due to the splendid craftsmanship. The floral motifs, border embroidery is the specialty of the Kashmiri sarees..

ODISHA

Sambalpuri Ikat or Bandha Saree

The moment we talk about sarees in Odisha, what strikes are those special fabric used to dress the idols in the famous Lord Jagannath temple. On these sarees, there is strong influence of Lord Krishna and hence gets expressed in form of temple borders, traditional colours, mythological designs on the sarees. And you say say – these are the most popular Sambalpuri Saree or Bandha saree. Odisha is famous for both silk and cotton sarees.

Other popular sarees in Odisha include Sonepuri Silk (Bomkal from Ganjam), Patta from Berhampur, Khandua from Cuttack and Nuapatna, Kotpad from Koraput, Ikat from Samabalpur, Sonepur and Boudh, Habaspuri from Kalahandi, Dongria from Rayagada and Kalahandi, Saktaput from Bargarh.

MAHARASHTRA

Paithani Saree

Paithani saree is the most popular saree of Maharashtra. Now, if you ask one to explain about a saree, where to start and where to end. Too many features. Lets talk about one of the interesting feature of this saree. It would look alike both sides. Real paithani sarees can be characterized by the fact that they would always have one of the common motifs of lotus, peacocks, vines, flowers, and parrots. These are made of zari and silk thread. As these are hand woven sarees, no two sarees would be similar, they may look same on the surface but there will be slight variations. It is also called Marathi wedding saree and was adorned by Mughals, Marathas and Nizams.

Other popular sarees are Uppada Silk, Banarasi Silk Saree, Kanjeevaram Silk Saree, Kohlapuri Saree, Kota Silk Saree, Chanderi Silk saree.

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Clothing

Arunachal Pradesh has a rich collection of clothing coming from many cultures and traditions. The famous clothing are Shawls, skirts, wraps, lungis. The traditional dresses are vibrant and colorful, as they represent about 26 different tribes of the state having their distinctive style of dressing. And Arunachal Pradesh is famous for many families contributing into weaving.

NAGALAND

Nagaland Cotton Saree

Nagaland is mainly famous for cotton sarees. Weaving, spinning, and dyeing are natural part of every home and particularly women. The cotton fabric is distinct from other states and often characterized by dark blue, red and yellow colors and zig-zag lines, checks, stripes, squares and bands, varying in width, color.

TELANGANA

Pochampally or Puttapaka Saree

Pochampally Saree or Pochampalli Ikat is a saree made in Bhoodan Pochampally, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana State, India. They have traditional geometric patterns in Ikat style of dyeing. The intricate geometric designs find their way into sarees and dress materials. The Indian government’s official airplane company, Air India, has its cabin crew wear specially designed Pochampally silk sarees.

Other famous sarees are Narayanpet sarees, Gadwal sarees, Mangalgiri sarees, Dharmavaram sarees, Uppada sarees, Venkatagiri sarees.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

MANIPUR

Manipuri Costumes

The traditional dress worn in Manipur by women are Inaphi, Phanek, Mayek Naibi, Lai Phi and Chin Phi and Potloi. In these, Inaphi is more like a shawl covering upper portion of the body. Under Inaphi, a new trending type of item came with name Rani Phi which includes the use of silk threads, modern dyes and different motifs to the traditional cotton inaphi.

MIZORAM

Mizo Silk Saree

Puan is a piece of cloth worn like a skirt, is the national dress of the state of Mizoram. Traditionally, Puan is two pieces, woven separately backstrap looms and later sewn together. The sarees famous as Mizoram silk sarees usually use Puan style of bordering and wrapping around the body.

TRIPURA

Tripura Silk Saree

The silk sarees that are famous as Tripura silk sarees are usually famous for Tripura silk and Pochampally borders. Also cotton sarees are famous here.

MEGHALAYA

Meghalaya Endi Silk and Mulberry Silk Saree

Endil silk in Meghalaya is woven in Soindan village. They are known manily for different texture and durability. And Meghalaya cotton saree with blok prints with designer pallu are quite famous in India. The cotton sarees are all occasion wears,

SIKKIM

Traditional Wear in Sikkim

The main costume in Sikkim for women are Bakhu/Kho, Dumvum, Shuruval, Pharia and a wedding attire.

JHARKHAND

Silk Sarees

Jharkhand is one of the largest silk producing states in the country. The popular sarees have symbols of firest nature, tribal prints, mud-resis dabu and block batik prints. Embroidery designs that come on sarees are similar to styles of Bihar and West Bengal.

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

Different variety of local costumes

There is a specific traditional clothing in different tribes, but all other than natives, there are people from different communities and religions living on the islands and wear wear traditional Indian clothes consisting of Saris, Salwars, Dhoti, Skirts, Kurtas, Pants, Trousers, Pajamas, Shirts, etc.

GUJARAT, DAMAN AND DIU

Bandhani

Bandhani in Sanskrit means to bind. Bandhani is a type of tie-dye textile decorated by plucking the cloth with the fingernails into many tiny bindings that form a figurative design. Today, most Bandhani making centers are situated in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sindh, Punjab region and in Tamil Nadu where it is known as Sungudi. Bandhani is also known as Bandhej Saree, Bandhni, Piliya, and Chungidi in Tamil and regional dialects. The art of Bandhani is a highly skilled process. The technique involves dyeing a fabric which is tied tightly with a thread at several points, thus producing a variety of patterns like Chandrakala, Bavan Baug, Shikari etcetera; depending on the manner in which the cloth is tied. The main colour used in Bandhana are yellow, red, blue, green and black. In Bandhani, different colours convey different meanings. People believe that wearing Red brings good luck to a newly wed’s life.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

Patola

Patola is a double ikat woven sari, usually made from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat, India. The word patola is the plural form; the singular is patolu. They are very expensive, once worn only by those belonging to royal and aristocratic families. These saris are popular among those who can afford the high prices. Velvet patola styles are also made in Surat. Patola-weaving is a closely guarded family tradition.

The way of draping saree in Gujarat is called Siddha pallu drape. Border heavy sarees from other parts of India like Banarasi sarees, Kanjivaram sarees and Baluchari sarees would look aesthetic when draped in the Gujarati way.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Kulluvi Pattu

Kulluvi Pattu is traditional form of woolen sari worn in Himachal Pradesh, similar variation is also worn in Uttarakhand. The usual saree where we make plates and insert at waist region, here same plates and entire saree would be dropped from shoulder level. There would be two ends coming from back over the shoulders. The front part is tied to to back parts at these ends using a necklace type item called Gaachi. A rope made of cloth called Bumni is used like belt just above waist to keep the costume tight.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

PUNJAB

Salwar Kameez

Salwar Kameez or Kurta Pyjama is daily wear in Punjab. Sarees are rarely worn, Women wear different variants of this like kurti with leggings, palazzo.

BIHAR

Bhagalpuri Silk Saree

Bhagalpuri silk or Tussar silk is a dying style of silk sarees and other clothes from Bhagalpur, Bihar in India. This material is used for making sarees named as Bhagalpuri Sari. Bhagalpur is also known as “silk city” of India. Bhagalpur has numerous mulberry orchards to produce tussar silk. Nathnagar is a place where Bhagalpuri silk is mainly processed. Not only sari kurta suit is also made from Bhagalpuri silk.

Other than above, also popular are Khadi Womens’s sarees, and Madhubani Designer sarees from Bihar.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

UTTAR PRADESH, DELHI

Banarasi Sari

A Banarasi sari is a sari made in Varanasi, an ancient city which is also called Benares (Banaras). The saris are among the finest saris in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The saris are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and, because of these engravings, are relatively heavy. Depending on the intricacy of its designs and patterns, a sari can take from 15 days to a month and sometimes up to six months to complete. Banarasi saris are mostly worn by Indian women on important occasions such as when attending a wedding and are expected to be complemented by the woman’s best jewelry. There are four main varieties of Banarasi sari, which includes pure silk (Katan), Organza (Kora) with Zari and silk; Georgette, and Shattir, and according to design process, they are divided into categories like, Jangla, Tanchoi, Vaskat, Cutwork, Tissue and Butidar.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

UTTARAKHAND

Traditional Dresses

Uttarakhand or Uttaranchal is called Devbhoomi (Land of Gods) is situated in the mountainous region of the Himalayas. In Garhwal region, women usually wear sari in a certain way so that it assists food carrying and also work at field without any interference. The pallu goes from the front and knotted on the shoulder, with a waistband made of cloth.

HARYANA

Haryana Silk Sarees

Sarees are not the most popular attire in Haryana. Like Punjab, people mainly wear Salwar Kameez, Kurta Pyjama. However there are silk sarees coming from Haryana and known as Haryana Silk sarees.

CHANDIGARH

Salwar Kameez

Chandigarh is joint capital for Haryana and Punjab. Sarees are not the most popular attire. Like Punjab, Haryana, people mainly wear Salwar Kameez, Kurta Pyjama. However there are silk sarees coming from Haryana and known as Haryana Silk sarees.

RAJASTHAN

Kora Daria

Kota Doria or Kota Doriya is the name of a light weight fabric made of tiny woven squares (khat) which is still hand woven on traditional pit looms in Kaithoon near Kota in Rajasthan and in some of the surrounding villages. Kota Doriya Sarees are made of pure cotton and silk and have square like patterns known as khats on them. The chequered weave of a Kota sari is very popular. They are very fine weaves and weigh very less. Since the weavers had come from Mysore, the fabric produced was called kota masuriya.

Also popular in Rajasthan are Leheriya sarees, Rajasthani Chunri sarees, Rajasthani Print Saree, Rajasthani Embroidery Sarees, Gota Work Saree, Bandhani Saree.

References used:
1. Wikipedia link

GOA

Designer Sarees

Mostly Designer Sarees and different forms of silk sarees are popular in Goa.