Sarees are such a big part of the Indian culture, with Indian women everywhere adorning the traditional clothing with pride and gusto. This beautiful piece of clothing is the symbol of Indian culture worldwide. And a big part of this culture is the Banarasi silk sarees. Hailing from the spiritual city of Varanasi, or Banaras, in Uttar Pradesh in India, these sarees are the epitome of beauty and elegance.

The timeless zari work, consisting of gold and silver threads, is what makes these sarees so special. You can definitely see why these sarees symbolize royalty and elegance once you witness the beauty of Banarasi silk sarees in person. No wonder they have been the coveted choice of hundreds of Indian brides over the years.

Different Types of Banarasi Silk Sarees

The speciality of sarees in India is that you will always find types within types. This is due to the creativity and diligence of the Indian weavers and craftsmen.

Pure Katan Silk Sarees

One of the most popular types of Banarasi silk sarees are the Pure Katan silk sarees, as they are made from pure Katan silk. These represent the true qualities of silk, being soft, lustrous, and extremely smooth.

Organza Banarasi Silk Sarees

Another popular type of Banarasi silk sarees are organza silk sarees, which are made using a combination of organza fabric and silk fabric. Since organza is such a crisp, sheer, and sturdy fabric, combining it with the softness of silk means you get the sturdiness of organza along with the silkiness of silk.

Georgette Banarasi Silk Sarees

Georgette Banarasi silk sarees are another great combination saree, made with the combination of georgette and silk. Since georgette is such a light and simple weave, combining it with the silk results in the most gorgeous looking sarees that you will ever see.

Jangla Banarasi Silk Sarees

The word Jangla can be derived from the word ‘jungle’ which means forest. Hence, Jangla Banarasi silk sarees usually showcase patterns inspired from the forest, like vegetation, flower, and animal motifs. This type of brocade sarees is characterized by intricate and complicated weaving.

Tanchoi Banarasi Sarees

This is a popular option for brides, the reason being obvious once you realize their beauty. The pallu of these sarees showcases a beautiful display of quaint paisleys while the border is usually characterized by criss-cross patterns.

Cutwork Banarasi Sarees

Surely you must have heard of cutwork Banarasi sarees, since they are one of the most popular types of Banarasi sarees available. Since these sarees have cotton mixed with the silk, you will find them to be cheaper than the usual Banarasi sarees. This means you get the same beautiful flower motifs at a much cheaper price! You can basically consider these a less expensive version of Jamdani sarees.

Tips For Brides to Buy Banarasi Silk Sarees

The best color for a bridal Banarasi saree is obviously a vibrant red, laden with beautiful gold zari work. The color red is the color of love and passion, and is the chosen color for most Indian brides. And on top of that, the gold color will help to bring a regal and royal look to the saree.

Pair the Banarasi saree with traditional gold jewelry, like chunky jhumkas or an intricate gold choker necklace. You can also add a gajra to your hair to get that classic gorgeous look.

Tips To Identify Original Banarasi Silk Sarees on The Web

Banarasi silk sarees are the epitome of beauty and grace. However, if you are not used to buying them, you might find it tricky to identify an original Banarasi silk saree. When buying sarees, Indian women usually prefer to go to physical stores and buy the saree in person. Getting an actual physical touch or feel of the saree helps to decide its authenticity.

When buying a saree in person, you can just check the reverse side of the saree. A pure Banarasi silk saree, which is loom woven, will consist of floats inside the warp and weft guides. A machine woven Banarasi silk saree, on the other hand, will have a smooth and silky finish on either side.

However, you obviously don’t have this option when buying sarees online. So, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Check the authenticity of the online seller with some internet research
• Look for a certificate from the Silk Mark Organization of India
• Read through the customer reviews and feedback thoroughly
• Notice the price of the saree- if it seems too good to be true, then it might be fake

Hopefully, these tips will help you find the best Banarasi silk sarees online. Happy shopping!