Maheshwari|Handloom Cotton|Cotton

It was Rani Ahilyabai who invited weavers from Hyderabad, Mandav and other princely states to come and practice their craft at Maheshwar.

She encouraged them by buying their goods and gifting to visiting dignitaries to Maheshwar so that the weavers would benefit. This created the tradition of weaving in Maheshwar and the Maheshwari handloom saree came into existence.

• Distinctive features of the Maheshwari Saree are its light weight, shiny lustre, and a fine display of colours, with brilliant motifs, an attractive Pallu and a border to match.
• The Pallu of the Maheshwari saree is particularly noted for the colourful stripes in varied colours such as green, pink, magenta, mauve, violet etc. which lend the fabric a mesmerising look.
• The border is also adorned by trendy designs and themes such as the Maheshwar fort and similar subjects.
• The unique feature of a Maheshwari saree is its reversible border. The border is designed in such a way that both sides of the saree can be worn. This is locally known as ‘Bugdi’.
• The designs in the Maheshwari sarees have been inspired by the detailing on the walls of the Fort of Maheshwar. The popular designs used in these sarees, were inspired from the designs on the fort walls. ‘Mat’ pattern, the ‘Chameli flower’ pattern, the ‘Brick’ pattern as well as the ‘Diamond’ pattern were initial and found instant popularity. These designs are found on Maheshwari sarees even today.
• Originally, the Maheshwari saree was made of pure silk. Then in course of time, sarees began to be made in pure cotton and with a mixture of silk and cotton (silk yarn in the warp and cotton in the weft). Nowadays, wool is also being used in the production of Maheshwari silk and cotton sarees. These sarees are extremely light in weight.
• Maheshwari handloom sarees were initially made only in dark shades like red, maroon, black, purple and green. Today, these sarees are also being made in lighter shades and gold and silver zari threads are being made use of, liberally.
• Usually, vegetable dyes are used in the preparation of these sarees.

• Sarees having plain colored fields with striking golden zari borders,
• Sarees with dark backgrounds flanked by multicolor borders, classy neon sarees with striking zari,
• striped pattern sarees with lovely large motifs on the pallu, sarees with elegant geometrical block printed motifs with a zari patti border. Etc.
• Maheswari silk sarees are decorated with thread embroidery, kundans and beads.
• In addition, the Handloom Mark and Silk Mark provide the assurance that the customer has only to make the necessary choices as regards, design, color and price, there being not a shadow of doubt regards the product being genuine.
• A traditional fabric that has stood the test of time the Maheshwari saree continues to build on its reputation of being one of the finest handloom sarees in the country.