Varanasi Banaras Silk Saree Weaving Cooperative Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh is the centre of Banarasi silk weaving, India most prestigious handloom tradition producing the famous Banarasi sarees with their characteristic heavy brocade zari gold and silver thread work, intricate Mughal-inspired floral and geometric patterns, and lustrous mulberry silk ground. Banarasi silk saree is the canonical bridal saree across North and Central India and received GI certification in 2009. Weavers from Muslim Ansari community families operate the jacquard-equipped pit looms that weave the supplementary weft zari patterns in gulbadan, shattir, tanchoi, and kimkhwab brocade techniques. The Banarasi Silk Weavers Cooperative Society and UPICA support over 100,000 power loom and hand loom weavers in Varanasi, Chandauli, and Azamgarh districts. The cooperative sector markets sarees through UPICA showrooms and craft fairs. Export to the US, UK, and Gulf accounts for a growing share of the premium segment.