What Is a Banarasi Saree?

Banarasi sarees take their name from Varanasi (Banaras), the North Indian city where this weaving tradition developed. They're known for rich, often silk grounds worked with zari — fine gold or silver metallic thread — in dense brocade patterns, and are among the most recognisable sarees worn for weddings and festive occasions across India.

The weave itself has several well-known variations: brocade grounds, tissue (a fine, shimmering fabric with a metallic warp or weft), and fusion pieces that combine Banarasi weaving with other techniques such as bandhej (tie-dye) or a Patola-style border.

In our own room, Banarasi weaving shows up in a few different forms. The Purple Banarasi Munga Saree with Antique Zari (WCS-001) is a Banarasi Munga crepe silk with an all-over antique-zari paisley design. The Antique-Gold Banarasi Tissue Saree with Patola Border (WCS-003) is a Banarasi tissue brocade finished with a Patola-style contrast border. Our Banarasi–Bandhej–Patola fusion design (WCS-004 through WCS-007) combines Banarasi weaving with an all-over bandhej dot pattern and a Patola-style border, across four colourways. The Red Banarasi Silk Saree with Gandaberunda Motifs (WCS-008) is a Banarasi silk woven with gold and silver bird motifs. And the Magenta Banarasi Khaddi Bandhej Saree (WCS-011) is a Banarasi Khaddi Georgette finished in bandhej with a hand-worked border.