The handloom industry is one of the biggest businesses among the unorganized economic activities in India. It has long been dominated by outstanding artisanship that excellently preserves the vibrance of Indian culture. 

Handloom artists from the country are globally renowned for their unique products. These artists usually live in small towns or villages where handloom and weaving skills are handed down across generations. With around 23.77 lakh looms across the country, the handloom and weaving industry is India’s biggest cottage industry. 

And there are several bazaars and marketplaces across cities and towns all over India that make all of these beautiful weaves available to urban consumers. 

Let’s take a tour of some of the best marketplaces in India for weaving and handloom products. 

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Also known as Benares, Varanasi is an ancient city in Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. It is renowned for its amazing and peaceful temples and ghats. Besides this, if you are looking at handloom items, the place is well-known for its brocades and embroidery and especially its Benarasi Silk Sarees. 

It is among the richest centres where wedding fabrics woven with gold and silver threads are created. There are also Jamdani weaves which are sheer cotton fabrics that are vividly patterned.

Dal Mandi Market

This colourful local bazaar can be counted among the more prominent and reputable markets offering wholesale weaves and handloom products. This market is best suited for those looking for high-quality products at the best bargains. All of the weaves sold here are guaranteed to be of the finest quality.

You will be able to find top-quality salwar kameez suits that are both stitched and unstitched. To top it off, Dal Mandi Market is the biggest market for weaves and handlooms in Varanasi.

Gyanvapi

The market gets its name from the Gyanvapi Mosque built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb which is located adjacent to the market. It is a well-known hub for the sale of a wide variety of premium quality shawls, with very unique shades and combinations of beautiful colours. 

Gyanvapi market is also highly renowned for very attractive hand-woven lampshades that are good for decorating any kind of room. This excellent attention to quality along with the economical prices of the lampshades, make them very popular among shoppers. 

Trains To Varanasi

• 20504 | DBRG RAJDHANI - Delhi (NDLS) To Varanasi (BSB)
• 15017 | LTT GKP EXPRESS - Mumbai (LTT) To Varanasi (BSB)
• 12325 | KOAA NLDM EXP - Kolkata (KOAA) To Varnasi (BSB)

Jaipur, Rajasthan

One of the most beautiful cities in possibly the hottest state in India, Jaipur is mostly known for its forts, palaces and other architectural monuments. Besides this, it also offers some of the most beautiful and intricate handloom and woven products.

Block printing is a common decorative feature to be found in the weaves produced here. Bandhini, zari, goti patti, and kinari are some of the most popular fabrics that the weavers of Jaipur like to work with. 

Nehru Bazaar

Shopaholics of all kinds will enjoy going on an endless shopping spree at Nehru Bazaar. The speciality items available at this market include colourful bags, Rajasthani juttis, and other footwear. Nehru Bazaar is also a good place to pick up some excellent readymade handloom woven clothes.

(Image Credit: Treebo Hotels)

Bapu Bazaar

Bapu Bazaar is best known Mojari shoes which are made from camel leather, and other leather products. You can also hope to find shops selling some of the best saris, and lehengas here as well as other textile products here.

Besides these, you will also come across exquisite handicrafts, perfumes and a wide range of other products. This is why Bapu Bazaar is one of the most famous and best shopping places in Rajasthan.

Trains To Jaipur

• 12015 | AJMER SHATABDI - Delhi (NDLS) To Jaipur (JP)
• 12955 | MMCT JAIPUR SF - Mumbai (MMCT) To Jaipur (JP)
• 12987 | SDAH AII SF EXP - Kolkata (SDAH) To Jaipur (JP)

Surat, Gujarat

This Gujarati city has one of the most booming and bustling textile industries in the country. It is especially renowned for its diamond and handloom markets. The city has been aptly crowned the textile capital of Gujarat. You will be able to see every step of the weaving process over here such as yarn production, weaving, embroidery and processing. 

Most residents of Surat are actively engaged in some part of the production process and trade of synthetic textiles. One product that Surat is particularly known for patrols is a silk saree that is double ikat woven. 

Shanivari Market

This market also has excellent outlets for footwear and home decor in addition to clothes and textiles. It has the vibe of a street market but provides a lot more.

Consistent with its name, this market is only open on Saturdays. The market is always packed with plenty of patrons and customers looking for the best bargains. You will be able to choose from a wide range of available products at wholesale prices, especially Kurtis.

(Image Credit: HerZindagi)

This makes it possible to buy a lot without having to spend much. You will be able to pick up textiles and weaves of chiffon, silk, or cotton and also other things such as footwear, cosmetics and art supplies.

Universal Textile Market

Universal Textile Market is another place that is ideal for anyone looking for fine fabric at bargain prices. Wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and anyone selling the finest in quality fabric can be found here. The products that can be purchased here include a wide range of wedding gowns, lehengas, dresses, designer sarees, kurtas, Chanakya cholis and a lot more at very reasonable prices. 

Trains To Surat

• 12954 | AK TEJAS RAJ EX - Delhi (NZM) To Surat (ST)
• 20901 | VANDE BHARAT EXP - Mumbai (MMCT) To Surat (ST)
• 12950 | KAVIGURU EXP - Kolkata (SRC) To Surat (ST)

Panipat, Haryana

Panipat, Haryana, is known to be a handloom hub of India and is often called the City of Handlooms. Here you will find manufacturers of scores of textiles and handloom products with most of them being home decor items such as curtains. It is said that more than half the city’s population is engaged in the handloom business in one way or another.

The wide variety of textiles and weaves produced here also gets exported to countries such as Japan, Canada, Australia, and Germany. The range of products includes derries, bedsheets, mats, towels, and curtains.

Handloom Textile Market

The Handloom Textile Market in Panipat is a hub of creativity, where skilled artisans bring their weaving expertise to life. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in a world of captivating handloom products that reflect the rich cultural heritage of India.

You can expect to find an exquisite collection of saris at this market. These saris are meticulously crafted with beautiful weaves such as Banarasi, Chanderi, and Maheshwari. Each sari is a work of art, featuring intricate designs, captivating colours, and luxurious fabrics.

For shawl enthusiasts, Panipat's Handloom Textile Market is a true delight. It offers a wide variety of shawls, ranging from warm woollen wraps to delicate Pashmina options. These shawls are adorned with intricate patterns and designs, making them both stylish and practical.

Jawahar Cloth Market

At the bustling Jawahar Cloth Market in Panipat, visitors can immerse themselves in a world of remarkable handlooms and weaves. One of the standout weaves at the Jawahar Cloth Market is the exquisite Jamdani. This weaving technique involves the addition of extra threads to create intricate patterns and motifs.

Another prominent weave found at the market is Chanderi. Chanderi fabrics are known for their sheer elegance, achieved by combining cotton and silk threads. They are used to create delicate textiles, including sarees, curtains and dress materials. Chanderi textiles are treasured for their fine texture, glossy appearance, and intricate designs.

Trains To Panipat

• 12497 | SHANE PUNJAB - Delhi (NDLS) To Panipat (PNP)
• 22451 | BDTS CDG SF EXP - Mumbai (BDTS) To Panipat (PNP)
• 12311 | NETAJI EXPRESS - Howrah (HWH) To Panipat (PNP)

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow is a prominent city in Uttar Pradesh in northern India that has been known for its vibrant culture since Mughal times. It is also a well-known hub for handlooms, and the style that is predominant here is an ancient one known as Chikanari.

The is the only part of the country where the Chikanari weaving style is still in practice and is commonly done on kurtas, caps, scarves, and sarees. So, for those who are interested in exploring this beautiful style, Lucknow is the place to head to.

Chowk Market

Nestled in the heart of Lucknow, Chowk Market is a renowned destination celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship. This vibrant marketplace is a treasure trove of traditional Lucknowi textiles, where artisans masterfully create intricately embroidered creations.

As you meander through its bustling alleys, you'll discover a rich array of garments adorned with delicate thread work. Chowk Market invites you to explore the rich heritage of Lucknow's iconic weaving tradition, showcasing garments that epitomize the city's artistic prowess.

Hazratganj Market

Hazratganj Market in Lucknow seamlessly blends timeless traditions with contemporary flair. This bustling marketplace is a haven for those seeking the exquisite beauty of Lucknow's weaving heritage. Step into its chic boutiques and explore the curated collections that showcase the finest craftsmanship.

(Image Credit: Culture Trip)

From traditional attire with a modern twist to fusion ensembles that blend cultural elements with a trendy touch, Hazratganj Market offers a captivating range of garments. Immerse yourself in the elegance and charm of Lucknow's weaving legacy at this dynamic marketplace.

Trains To Lucknow

• 13167 | KOAA AGC EXPRES - Kolkata (KOAA) To Lucknow (LKO)
• 12534 | PUSHPAK EXPRESS - Mumbai (CSMT) To Lucknow (LKO)
• 12430 | NDLS LKO AC SF - Delhi (NDLS) To Lucknow (LKO)

Conclusion

India is a captivating tapestry of heritage and craftsmanship, where numerous destinations pay homage to the art of creating exquisite textiles. From the bustling markets of Varanasi to the vibrant hubs of Jaipur and the cultural richness of Gujarat, each place offers a unique glimpse into the intricate fabric traditions of the country.

So, as you embark on your next journey, allow yourself to be enveloped by the captivating colours, patterns, and textures that paint the vibrant picture of India's textile landscape. Experience the magic that lies within each thread, as the fabric weaves stories of tradition, craftsmanship, and the timeless beauty of Indian textiles.