Best Place To Buy Saree or Sari In India

Varanasi is also known as Benares is a city where the past and present live side by side. The city is located on the banks of the Ganga (Ganges) River in the state of Uttar Pradesh in the northern part of India.

Varanasi is famous for its significant religious places arts, culture, astrology study at the Banaras Hindu University and not forgetting shopping spree for all kinds of Indian necessity fashion. Best time to visit Varanasi is between November to March. The average temperature ranges from 8 c to 17 c during day time.

Varanasi is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for Hindus and is one of seven most holy places for Hindus in India. Every day without fail, pilgrims come to the ghats (steps leading down to the water) for religious bathing ritual to wash away a life-time sins in the sacred river or to cremate their loved ones. You can witness the most intimate rituals of life and death take place in public.

The serenity of waking up before dawn to watch pilgrims perform puja (prayers and offerings) at the holy riverside ghat to the rising sun creates a truly unforgettable moments of a trip in Varanasi.

There are more than 100 ghats along side Ganga in Varanasi city. Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the most important and oldest Ghats of Varanasi dating back to few thousand years. The front view of the Ghat provides stunning photographic opportunities to capture the life, colour and culture of this holy city. No wonder this city is also known as Kashi or City of Life.

Do not miss the opportunity of visiting the Dasaswamedh Ghat in the evening at 7 PM. An elaborate Aarti ceremony (ritual of worship towards the highest love for god) with puja, fire, and dance by the priests is staged right in front of the Ghat. Dasaswamedh Ghat is easily reached at the end of the main road from Godaulia Crossing.

Varanasi (Benares or Banarasi) silk is famous throughout India for its quality and it produces the finest traditional saris of India. Today the city is renowned for its silk weavers, who prepare the finest types of woven silk fabrics. Most of the silk for the Banarasi saris comes from south India, mainly Bangalore.

It is every Indian woman’s dream to own at least one Banarasi sari in her wardrobe .No Indian bride's trousseau is complete without at least one Banarasi silk sari. The very stance of a bright and beautiful Banarasi silk sari makes the perfect attire for the special day. Traditional Banarasi Sari is an evergreen choice for every Indian bride and rarely fails to compliment a woman, making her feel delicate and feminine.

Banarasi sari became popular during the Mughal Empire in the 15th century where the sari weaving art reached its zenith. It was during this period when Sari weaving saw the combination of Indian and Persian designs. In the ancient time Varanasi was famous for the weaving of cotton saris and gradually switched over to silk weaving of brocades with intricate designs using gold & silver threads. This is the specialty of Banarasi sari.

There are sprawling departments and flea street markets concentrated mostly at the surrounding of the old city. The main shopping areas in Varanasi includes the Chowk, Godaulia, Vishwanath Lane, Lahurabir , Dasaswamedh Ghat Road and Thatheri Bazaar.

The main market for readymade cotton garments is in Gowdolia and Daswasamedh Road. For silk, shawls and Banarasi saris, the place is Madanpura, Mubarakganj and some shops in Viswanath Gali (the lane towards Viswanath Temple).

Varanasi is famous also famous for its embroidered carpets, bangles and junk jewelries, items made of ivory, brass and copper, and toys made of wood and clay are found extensively in the city.

Banarasi silk sari or shawl is traditionally a single colored textile with patterns woven in gold or silver threads. Varied range of saris depends on the quality of the silk and especially on the bead work. The price can be ranging from as little Rs150 to Rs7500 or more.

Avoid being led by touts, tour guides or rickshaw drivers to a silk shop in all part of the Varanasi who may try to rip you off.

Don’t believe much of what the sales person tells you about the quality of products, even in government emporiums. Instead, shop around and judge for yourself.

Ask for the price and verify before you buy anything. Be prepared for some bargaining fun till you are satisfied.

Next suggested for shopping stop will be Nepal