What is Paithani ?
Paithani saree are hand woven in pure silk. It features round zari motifs on the body and intricately hand drawn and woven border and pallu with Asawali flower vines. The pallu has picturesque flowering Asawalis in pots. The Asawalis became popular motifs on Paithani weaving during the Peshwa period. A Marathi bride's trousseau is incomplete without a Paithani saree and it is considered a precious heirloom gem passed on from a mother to her daughter. The Paithani saree is a reflection of the glorious history of the state of Maharashtra, preserved for over 2000 years. Among the most breathtakingly beautiful sarees made in India figures the Paithani sarees, woven exclusively in the Paithan region of the western state of Maharashtra. The typical, traditional Paithani used to be a plain sari with a heavy zari border and ornamental pallu. In the bygone centuries, the zari used in making Paithani was drawn from pure gold. However, nowadays silver is substituted for gold, in order to make these sarees more affordable to many people.