Gharchola Sarees

What is Gharchola

Firstly, Gharchola literally means home (ghar) chola (cloth). The fabric has tradition  a lot of cultural significance . It is  also vibrant bright and flashy.  In addition, it is an auspicious cloth used to welcome brides into the husband’s home in North India . As a matter of fact, the Gharchola cloth is typically gifted to the bride by the mother in law when she first enters her new home.(husband’s home).It is typically red in colour, which is considered auspicious. For instance, the characteristic feature of Gharchola sarees/fabrics  are the  golden checks made with golden threads or zaris.

Available at Delhi:- Gurjari, Frontier Raas

Shop in  Chennai at:- Man Mandir

Available at Chennai:- Deepam

IN Jaipur at Ratan Deep ,

Ranas ,Vasansi

Origin of Gharchola sarees

As a matter of fact,  Jamnagar and Porbandar in Gujarat are said to be the home of Gharchola sarees and dupattas.

This is typically made in silk fabric, pure  georgette or from Gajja silk. Pure silk fabric is not used very often these days.

All these fabrics have the required sheen that is necessary to make this fabric & saree distinct & grand . As the Gharchola fabric is mostly used for auspicious occasions, the typical colours are red, maroon, orange and pink. Thick lines with gold threads are drawn to create a check pattern. Golden embroidery designs or bandhini designs are drawn inside the checks.

Gharchola sarees and dupattas are very expensive. The Gharchola & Patola sarees are very expensive as the weavers  came from high class families. They form an intrinsic item of the trousseau.It is customarily used to welcome her to the groom’s home.

However, in addition to the red colour, several other colours are also being used now for sarees & as suits. In addition, the checks or squares have also been replaced with other  similar patterns, such as diamonds.