(You’ll find links to all parts of this Maharashtra tour series at the end of this post.)
MONDAY, MAY 12
Paithani saris
One of the most remarkable things about Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly called Aurangabad) is its famous Paithani sari.
Named after the town of Paithan, where these exquisite saris were first handwoven, Paithani remains a highly sought-after traditional garment, especially for festive occasions and weddings.
Very often, we can see news items of celebrities flaunting the latest Paithani designs at public events.
Paithan itself was once the capital of the Satavahana dynasty around 200 BC, a fact that adds to the sari’s historical significance. Today, Yeola town in Nashik is known as the largest manufacturer of Paithani saris.
After lunch, we visited the Aurangabad Silk Mills on Paithan Road, close to the railway station. An official kindly took us inside and explained the intricate process of making Paithani fabric.
The saris are either machine-made or handwoven on traditional looms using fine silk and zari threads; the latter is a process that can take several months to complete a single piece.
Intricate designs
Paithani saris gained immense popularity under the patronage of the Peshwas and the Nizams. During the 18th century, these saris became an essential part of the royal wardrobe.
We were told that what makes Paithani truly special is the “extra weft” technique, where additional threads are woven into the fabric to create intricate designs.
Thanks to online platforms like Flipkart and Craftsvilla, local weavers now have access to wider markets, allowing this exquisite handloom craft to thrive and remain accessible to sari lovers everywhere.
Himroo fabric
Another gem of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is Himroo, a fabric made from a blend of silk and cotton grown locally.
It was introduced to the city during the reign of Mohammad Tughlaq, who shifted his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (now in Aurangabad).
The name Himroo comes from the Persian word Hum-ruh, meaning ‘similar’. This fabric is a beautiful replication of Kinkhwab, once woven with pure gold and silver threads exclusively for royal families. Today, Himroo remains a symbol of luxury and tradition.
Taj of the Deccan
We also visited Bibi Ka Maqbara. This mausoleum was commissioned in 1660 by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum, wife of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Bibi Ka Maqbara bears a striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal in Agra, built for Aurangzeb’s mother, Mumtaz Mahal. Thus is it is often referred to as the “Taj of the Deccan”.
The mausoleum is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Entry fees are ₹25 for Indian citizens and ₹300 for foreign nationals, with free entry for children under 15 years.
It must be said that this monument ranks a shade below the Taj in terms of overall upkeep, with signs of neglect all too evident. The plasterwork on the minarets has worn out and blackened in a few places.
Hopefully, the Archaeological Survey of India will act fast to restore the past glory of the monument and put in place measures to conserve it.
(To be continued)
Maharashtra tour 2025 series
Day 1 - May 6 - Chugging along to Pune
Day 2 - May 7 - Pune - News, nuisance, and festivities
Day 3 - May 8 - Pune - A day of mixed emotions
Day 4 - May 9 - Pune - History, temple, and reminiscences
Day 5 - May 10 - Pune - Whirlwind tour and news flash
Day 6 - May 11 - Sambhaji Nagar - A special breakfast and a tryst with nature
Day 7 - May 12 - Sambhaji Nagar - Ellora Caves
Day 7 - May 12 - Sambhaji Nagar - Paithani saris, Bibi Ka Maqbara
What wonderful saris. I can't imagine the work that went into those.
ReplyDeleteYes, quite intricate designs!
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the part on the saris even more due to Nilanjana spending all of A-Z telling us about the handloom industry and many styles of sari! It is a shame that the upkeep of the mini-Mahal is less... if entry fees are paid, evidence of their use should be seen! YAM xx
Hi Yamini - Obviously there is a resource crunch. I doubt the entry fee is used for maintenance. It will go to the ASI. Ideally they should use the income for maintenance. But I don't think it's done.
DeleteYeah that mausoleum does look like the Taj Mahel it is sad that it isn't being as well looked after.
ReplyDeleteYes. Sad to see monuments decaying like this.
DeleteThe fabrics must be wonderful to look at and examine close up. Cloth making has always seemed so complicated to me, and I don't really understand how looms work. From distance Bibi Ka Maqbara looks great. I hope it does receive the care it is due soon.
ReplyDeleteFabric work is indeed quite complex!
DeleteI'm grateful for your posts so that I can travel vicariously. But I need to catch up on reading. lol On the bright side, I've been busy working in my garden. :) Be well and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - Do read the posts whenever you get the time. I read the updates on your garden work on your blog.
DeleteNever heard of charging to go into Mausoleum. But I haven't seen one all that fancy either.
ReplyDeleteIt's a protected monument. There are many such. It's normal here for the Archaeological Survey of India, which looks after them, to charge visitors a fee.
DeleteI know I wrote a comment here the other day, but it seems to have disappeared. Anyway, I enjoyed this post. Living in a community where there are no doors, let alone locks on them, is quite foreign to me, but how wonderful to be able to trust people. It used to be so in UK, may still be so in remoter areas, but most of us lock everything every night.
ReplyDelete