Crafts of varanasi & Vindhyachal Division

Banarasi Saree

Banarasi Saree are elegant brocaded silk sarees. These are known to be the finest sarees of the country and has been popular for its golden and silver zari work it is the most preferred bridal attire for every indian woman The weavers can be seen in hundreds of small workshop in peelikothi area where they are working day and night creating wonderful crafts with threads zaries and passion in loms

Wooden lacquerware & Toys

The varanasi lacquerware is the producer toys that are crafted in detail and coloured. All the toy are beaing manufactured with eucalyptus. Goolar and coraiya woods and are carvad and coloured with hands. The colouring is don with lac by processing heating mixing and cooling.

Bell Metal Works

Around the alleys of Kashipura, the thriving works of art can be spotted while in process. But the display of the art is everywhere, from the bells of the temples to the fascinating daily use vessels made with distinct bell metal or mix metal in Varanasi.

Metal Repose

While roaming around the lanes of Kashipura, the sonorous sound of hammers can be noticed. The sound is nothing else but the unveiling of the beautiful craft of Metal repose. Diverse items are created in this field of metal craft. The malleable precious sheet of metals like Gold, Brass, Silver, or copper is molded into required shapes and then they are covered with a layer of liquid Lan on the reverse side. When the Lac is settled, the metal sheets are hammered and chiselled over the Lac, which bulges the design on the forefron. Platters, jugs, betel boxes and many other such articles decorated with these endemic fretworks leave everybody spellbound.

Undercut Stone Carving of Ramnagar

On the other side of the Ganges resides Ramnagar. Meanwhile, in Ramnagar lives one beautiful art that is a perfect mixture of simplicity and prodigality. The locals of 'Bhang Wali Gali' are traditionally been involved in the work of elegant carving works for generations . Ivory, Bone and Sandalwood was used for the artwork in older days. Which are replaced by marble rock tablets now. The outcomes of the work are not just very beautiful but also stupefying as the precise design involves net like carvings above the model and inside the model there is a replication of the same model. The models are fine and hollow from inside. The beautiful decorative pieces are result of minute arts of excellent caliber.

Clay and Terracotta Works

This sip of tea is bliss for everyone and the tea served in clay cups add-in a different flavor. These clay cups are found around most parts of the India. But the making and creation of the works can been seen in the Bhatti Village, near Varanasi. These clay utensils, pots, flower vases, cups and vessels are made over a spinning base and the clay is moulded with hands. they are then dried under the sun and are baked later on. But the clay art doesn't end with the utensils. Families here are also involved in making clay idols of different gods and deities.

Zardozi Badge Making

The works of Zardozi Badge making craft has been residing in the city since the colonial era. The work of Zardozi is not concentrated in a singular field or specific art, different froms of the art are also prominently performed in Lucknow and Allahabad, but the Badge making craft is essentially done here at Shivala in Varanasi. The making of rank badges for the defence and police forces are used not only India, but many other countries around the world. Zardozi involves embroidery work with Zari, which formerly used 'Khalabatun' which were silver threads coated in gold.

Glass Beads

The glass beads of Varanasi take a long path before being ready to be make into garlands. The scrapt peices of glasses are sifted, heated , colored, reheated then they are shaped and decorated using other colorful glass scrap. Later on they are left to get stiff and finally the beads of unique shapes and sizes are taken out and made into these beautiful jewelleries like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and several other kinds. These beads are made and sold near the very well known pathways Vishwanath Gali.

Mirzapur Dari

Dari is a very important object in an average household here thse are mats made out of cottn jute wool and woven in a very simple manner by hands In spite of being a non-luxurious and cheaper than the carpats.its unique and vibrant design makes it no less attractive. There are thousands of people involved in the production of these mats in mirzapur

Carpets of Bhadohi

Renamed as Sant Ravidas Nagar' Bhadohi has been called the 'Carpet City for a long time. The hand knitted carpets of Bhadohi are majorly exported to the foreign countries and give a great deal of competition to the neighbouring countries.

The hand woven carpets are solely made of wool and are woven with minute details. Each rug has been taken into special attention by the artisans. These are made with adequate technology and fine skills and the new tehnology and creation has updated itself with time. The gorgeous carpets look spendid when they are finished and ready to be sold.

Gulabi Meenakari

Precious, vibrant, colourful and elegant, Banarasi Gulabi Meenakari is an art from; one of its kind. The works done here are not only exceptionally delicate but also very precious. Meenakari divides to Meena which means Silver Kari which means Arwork. The art work introduces beautiful ornamental designs by moulding the metal into eye catching peices of art. But what makes it unique, is it's lustrous colour and very intricate hand painted floral patterns.

Chunar Sandstone Work

The historic fort of Chunar is enchanted with many myths, folktales and stories of India. The stone carving in the very National emblem of India; the 'Lion Capital' of Ashoka, is an ancient peice of work. It has been made almot 2300 years back, on the hilly grounds of Chunar at some median workshop; with the unique local sandstone.

Even today, the classic art has preserved itself from being lost. The resplendent are is used to make precious home decor pieces, idols of gods and goddness, and sculptures, with hands and the artists make them with handmade tools. The present sculptors of Chunar are also making marble stone statues and paint them with their hands.

Khadi of Sewapuri

30 km away from Varanasi, the Gandhi Ashram located in Sewapuri is a great step towards esclating the works on Khadi. New solar powered looms produce great quality Khadi clothes, so that the Cloth of the Nation could create its place in the wider market.

Bamboo Baskets

Everybody who has been around the Asia pacific, must have noticed the street side hawkers and traders selling things on bamboo baskets. These baskets are also made around Varanasi by people living in suburb makeshift slums. Made only using scraps of bamboo and a sharp knife, these baskets are completely biodegradable and light in weight. The sticks of bamboo are woven and painted entirely by hands. Bouquet baskets, shoe racks flower baskets are some other products made out same bamboo sticks.

Urban Haat

Keeping the preferences of tourists in mind the city has developed an Urban Haat where artisans (State and National Awarded) from various states are brought together to showcase the handicrafts of India daily (15 days roster basis) so that the excitement of upcoming crafts remains the same. The compound of Haat is provided with all basic public amenities. Visitors enjoy Indian music, art, craft and culture spiced with exclusive food plazas.

Venue : Urban Haat, Sanskritik Sankul, Maqbool Alam Road, Chowka Ghat, Varanasi.

Souvenir Shops and Malls

• M/s Mehrotra Silk Factory, S. C. - 21/72, Englishia Line, Varanasi.
• M/s Baba Black Sheep , Bhelupur, Varanasi.
• IP Mall, Sigra Varanasi
• JHV, The Mall, Cantt.
• Modern Reception Centre, Sarnath