What Is The Difference Between Banarasi And Kanjivaram Saree

Today, when I was going through the albums of some beautiful Indian weddings, the brides stole my attention all of a sudden. More precisely, the bridal attires – a Kanjivaram saree and a Banarasi saree – grabbed my eyes. The gorgeous golden threads took my heart away, and I was wondering if I should enlighten you with the difference between the two sarees. So, here I am bringing forth all that you require to know about the two stunning pieces of clothing. 

So, what is the difference between Banarasi and Kanjivaram saree? Both are silk sarees. While Banarasi weave originates from Varanasi, North India and Kanjivaram derive its roots from Kancheepuram, South India. While zari work is the beauty of Banarasi sarees, in Kanjivaram sarees, golden threads are used for intricate detailing. Beyond these, the Banarasi sarees differ in the way of draping, styling, and there are a dozen of different types of these beautiful sarees.

Wait! While I mentioned Kancheepuram to be the origin of Kanjivaram, did you get Kanjivaram confused with the Kanchipuram sarees? Let’s try to find an answer.

What is the difference between Kanjivaram and Kanchipuram Sarees?

Kanjivaram sarees are originated from Kancheepuram, South India. So, the Kanjivaram sarees are sometimes referred by the name of its hometown as Kanchipuram sarees. All in all, Kanjivaram, Kanchipuram, and Kanchi Pattu sarees are the names of a single saree.

Types of Banarasi Sarees

Now, coming back to the major discussion of how Banarasi sarees differ from Kanjivaram sarees. Though the Banarasi sarees are renowned as gorgeous silk sarees, they are weaved from several types of fabric and designs. 

The designs in Banarasi sarees are inspired by the Mughal culture. The weavers use golden and silver Zaris to weave the designs of flowers and motifs, called Kalga or Bel. The intricate detailing is so time-taking, that a piece of Banarasi saree takes almost fifteen days to six months to stand finished.

Katan or pure silk, contemporary Shattir, Organza, Georgette, Jangla, Butidar, Tanchoi, Cutwork, and Tissue are the fabric choices in Banarasi brides sarees. Choose any of these royal affairs to stand out in the crowd on your wedding day.

How to Wear a Banarasi Saree?

Gone are the days when traditional draping and accessorizing was the only option to wear a Banarasi saree. With the modern brides getting more creative, there are a plethora of Banarasi saree bridal looks to choose from.

The styling of Banarasi sarees differs from Kanjivaram sarees in the way that the sarees originated from different places, and different sets of accessories complement the two sarees. So, how do you wear and style a Banarasi saree perfectly on your marriage day?

Banarasi sarees offer you a sprinkle of Mughal grandeur. You have a lot to experiment with a Banarasi saree wedding outfit. A variety of colour options is the major attraction of Banarasi sarees. The sarees with a heavy border and ruffle designs on the corners make you look bulky and aged. 

So, choose a design that is a mid-way between too much heavy designing and too simple designs that ruin the gorgeousness of a Banarasi saree. You can choose any blouse from plain matching coloured blouses, to embroidered ones, zari blouses, and matching bordered blouse, to complete your Banarasi bridal look.

Types of Kanjivaram Sarees

Similar to the Banarasi sarees, another Shaadi wear saree, Kanjivaram sarees, is made up of several fabrics, and decorated using distinct designs. The gorgeous Kanjivaram sarees are woven with pure Mulberry silk, making the attire a priority choice among many Indian brides.

The Kanjivaram sarees offer a designer choice among traditional temple design, plain Kanjivaram with gold border, and floral weave motifs. Along with these, you have an option to choose between traditional and modern silk sarees.

How to Wear Kanjivaram Sarees?

Kanjivaram sarees are so gorgeous that it makes the saree worth wearing on a wedlock ceremony, or a reception party by the bride. For this reason, these bridal silk sarees are even the celebs’ favourite attires, and many famous personas were spotted wearing the attire on their D-day. If you are planning to wear a Kanjivaram masterpiece at your wedding, you must know how to carry the beautiful attire like a pro. 

While choosing a Kanjivaram design, you must consider your feminine curves. The exclusive designs of temples, stripes, and checks look more traditional than any other. But heavy borders and larger designs will make you look curvier and bulky. So, such a design is most-suited to lean and slim body-type women.

Blouses are the better half of a Kanjivaram saree, and there are some factors to consider before choosing a matching blouse for your attire. Though a contrast colour palette between the saree and blouse is a famous affair, going traditional with the same colour blouse as the saree is an evergreen hit. 

Also, citing a balance between saree and blouse is necessary. So, if you choose a heavy bordered or densely designed saree, ensure that you choose a lighter blouse, with lesser work on it.

Finally, you need to accessorize to make your outfit a super hit. Carry a dense kajal eyed look, with a bindi, traditional temple jewelry in gold, and an optionally oxidized gold waist girdle to complete your traditional outfit. 

Which Suits You Better in Your Wedding – Banarasi or Kanjivaram saree?

After knowing the elegance of these sarees, a general question comes in our mind about which saree to wear at the wedding – Banarasi or Kanjivaram? The answer depends solely on your personal preferences, budget, and factors like that.

1. Design

Banarasi saree boasts of an exquisite Zari-work to weave out the floral motifs and foliage. However, Kanjivaram silk sarees carry intricate designs of temples, motifs, stripes, and checks, woven with golden or silver threads. Both of these sarees come in a variety of colours and combinations. It is your choice to prefer the grandeur of Banarasi designs and palette or go along with the cultural trove of Kanjivaram sarees.

2. Price

Be it a Kanjivaram, or a Banarasi saree, the craftsmen spend a huge amount of time and dedicated efforts to produce a single art piece. Such humongous dedication results in a slight shift of costs in the higher price range. But, the wedding is a once in a lifetime occasion! The price doesn’t put much impact on the royalty that these sarees offer to the brides on their big days.

But what is the cost of Kanjivaram saree and Banarasi sarees? While the prices of a Kanjivaram masterpiece begins from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 50,000, or even higher, a Banarasi saree is usually priced from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 70,000. So, decide on a saree budget first, before choosing one among these gorgeous sarees.

Beyond these, other factors such as the wedding location, preference of North Indian or South Indian culture, plays a pivotal role to decide which of the sarees should you choose to wear on your big day. However, both of these sarees are sure to make you look dazzling and unexpectedly gorgeous.

So, the Banarasi and Kanjivaram sarees bestow the brides with a never-ending treasure of culture and tradition, which they can pass on from generation to generation. No matter how modern the days get, these sarees will never lose their charm and popularity. If you are heading towards your wedding day, I will ask you to consider all the factors, choices, and preferences to choose one among the Banarasi and Kanjivaram sarees.Furthermore, I hope that you are enlightened enough about the difference between Banarasi and Kanchipuram sarees to choose the most suitable design, blouse, and colour palette, according to your body and personality. So, ladies, get your masterpiece traditional wear, accessorize it religiously, and look astonishing on the lifetime day of your nuptial ceremony.