24 Types of Traditional Indian Saree Styles Silk Sarees in India Which Every Women Should Buy

More Than Just a Six-Yard Cloth

For most women in India, sarees are not just clothing. They are memory, tradition, family. They remind you of a grandmother who wore crisp cotton every day, or a cousin’s wedding where everyone dressed in silk. And no two sarees are ever the same — because every state, every region, makes its own kind.

India’s textile story is bigger than what fits into a shop rack. There are weaves that come from tiny villages. Patterns that were once made only for queens. Techniques that have not changed for hundreds of years.

Here are 24 types of Traditional Indian Saree Styles that make up this rich, unmatched collection with state names

1. Kanjivaram (Tamil Nadu)

Made from thick mulberry silk with real zari. Heavy, glossy, and built to last. Brides in South India wear this on their wedding day.

2. Banarasi (Uttar Pradesh)

Intricate brocade work with gold or silver threads. Mughal-inspired motifs. Perfect for grand occasions.

3. Paithani (Maharashtra)

Silk saree with rich zari pallu. Known for peacocks, parrots, and lotus motifs. A symbol of Maharashtrian pride.

4. Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh)

Lightweight silk or cotton with sheer texture. Woven with simple, elegant motifs. Suitable for summer wear.

5. Maheshwari (Madhya Pradesh)

Soft, light, and designed with fine stripes or checks on the pallu. Works well for both daily and festive use.

6. Pochampally Ikat (Telangana)

Known for its tie-dye patterns that blur softly into the weave. Bright, bold colours.

7. Sambalpuri Ikat (Odisha)

A stiffer cotton or silk version of ikat with geometric and temple patterns. Durable and striking.

8. Kota Doria (Rajasthan)

Light cotton sarees with small square-shaped weaves. Breathable, ideal for hot climates.

9. Bandhani (Gujarat/Rajasthan)

Tie-dyed with tiny dots forming patterns. Usually seen in bright reds, yellows, and greens.

10. Patola (Gujarat)

Double ikat silk saree, woven with extreme skill. Very expensive and rare. Worn for the most special occasions.

11. Tussar (Bihar/West Bengal)

Raw silk with a matte finish. Earthy colours, soft sheen, light texture.

12. Baluchari (West Bengal)

Silk sarees that tell stories. Mythological figures and scenes are woven into the pallu.

13. Kantha (West Bengal)

Cotton or silk sarees with hand-stitched embroidery. The stitches form motifs like birds, flowers, and folk scenes.

14. Dhakai Jamdani (Bangladesh/West Bengal)

Fine muslin cotton with white or pastel motifs. Light, elegant, and often worn for Bengali weddings.

15. Muga (Assam)

Made from golden yellow silk that’s only found in Assam. Natural shine. Rare and expensive.

16. Kasavu (Kerala)

White or off-white cotton saree with golden border. Worn for festivals like Onam.

17. Ilkal (Karnataka)

Cotton body with silk pallu. Earthy colours and simple designs.

18. Gadwal (Telangana)

Cotton saree with pure silk borders and pallu. Very light but looks rich.

19. Uppada (Andhra Pradesh)

Silk sarees woven with delicate gold or silver zari. Lightweight but rich-looking.

20. Narayanpet (Telangana)

Blend of silk and cotton. Small checks or stripes. Meant for daily wear.

21. Phulkari (Punjab)

More a shawl than a saree sometimes — but silk sarees with heavy, bright embroidery are also seen.

22. Manipuri (Manipur)

Brightly coloured cotton or silk sarees with small traditional motifs. Usually worn by local women during festivals.

23. Guntur (Andhra Pradesh)

Soft cotton sarees with simple stripes or plain bodies and contrast borders.

24. Bhagalpuri (Bihar)

Tussar silk with natural shades. Simple, unpolished, and earthy in feel.

Why so many variety of sarees in India? Because no two places are the same

Each region in India developed its own kind of saree because of its climate, culture, and people. Rajasthan needed light, breathable fabric because of the heat — so Kota Doria and Bandhani grew there. South Indian Saree grew rich silk and mulberry — so Kanjivarams and Pochampally were born.

In Assam, silkworms produced a golden thread that led to Muga sarees. In West Bengal, soft muslin and Jamdani ruled. What women wore depended on where they lived, what they could afford, and what they valued.

How sarees are changing now

Today, designers and brands mix styles. You’ll find a Kanjivaram with a Banarasi pallu. A linen saree printed with ikat designs. New colours — pastels, greys, blacks — show up in sarees that were once all about bright reds and greens.

At Mavuri, the sarees stay rooted in original weaves but offer choices for modern tastes. Lighter silks, fresh shades, simpler patterns — without losing the handloom base.

But the core remains. Weaving by hand. Real silk or cotton. Honest work.

Why people still buy these sarees

A good saree — whether a crisp cotton for daily wear or a rich silk for weddings — lasts. It outlives trends. It feels right on the skin. It can be passed on to daughters. No machine-made fabric or quick fashion can replace that.

And that’s why women still buy Kanjivarams. Or Bandhanis. Or Patolas. Because these are not just clothes. They are memory, family, pride.

Check: Best Brands to Buy Saree in India

The final thought

This variety of sarees is proof that India’s textile history is not dead. It is alive, worn every day, stored in cupboards, shown at festivals.

And at Mavuri, this story is kept going — by offering real sarees from real weavers. No shortcuts. No fakes. Just honest fabric that holds its shape, its feel, and its meaning.

Some things should never change. Sarees are one of them.