The Rich Tradition of Khandua Silk Sarees
- The Khandua silk saree takes its name from Nuapatna in Cuttack district of Odisha, where it originated.
- Bhulia community weavers have been weaving sarees for generations.
- Khandua silk sarees are crafted using an intricate technique called ikat, in which the threads are dyed before weaving. This creates the unique blurred edges and vibrant colors characteristic of these garments. Khandua sarees are distinguished and characterized by their delicate design with subtle colour schemes that illuminate with vibrant rainbow brilliance.
- Khandua silk sarees often feature intricate designs inspired by nature and mythology. Popular designs include flowers, birds, elephants and peacocks as well as scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. On fabric, various scenes such as star temple conch, fish, chakra, lotus, swan, peacock, parrot, deer elephant horse lion dance of devadasi Gitagovinda are woven.
- Khandua silk sarees are renowned for their durability and longevity, often being passed down through generations as family heirlooms. Khandua Saree is tied and dyed on one portion while Anchol (Pallu) is weft tied and dyed on the other for added effect
- Khandua sarees have enjoyed increasing recognition as handloom products and have been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from India’s government, acknowledging their unique origin and traditional production techniques.
- Khandua silk sarees are typically worn by women; however, men can also purchase versions known as Khandua pata or angavastra to wear as scarves or shawls.
Some factors that determine the price of a Khandua silk saree include:
- Khandua silk sarees can be made with various silk yarns such as artificial malda silk or Mulberry silk; Mulberry silk tends to be more expensive.
- Khandua silk sarees with intricate designs, multiple colors and detailed motifs tend to be more expensive than simpler styles.
- Khandua silk sarees crafted by well-known weavers or sold by trusted sellers may command a higher price due to their superior quality and authenticity.
- The demand for Khandua silk sarees: Certain designs or historical significance make them highly sought-after, which could drive up their price.



