Bandhani Bandhej Sarees

Eye-Catching Bandhani Saree at Mirraw

The beauty of India is that we respect and accept elements from different cultures. One of the elements are the vividly colored and embroidered garments. If there is one garment that binds every culture in India is saree. In various designs, they all represent their distinct and valuable traditions. One of the sarees that we will understand today is the popular Bandhani saree.

Also known as Bandhej saree, the most famous regions for these sarees are the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, Bandhani is known by the name Chungudi. Bandhej sarees are available in various fabrics such as silk, chiffon, cotton, georgette, linen and satin. We at Mirraw would guide you with different embroideries on Bandhej saree and how you can stylize it for various occasions.

Bandhani Sarees: Process and Patterns

Bandhani saree gets its name from the Sanskrit root word ‘bandhan’ which means to tie up. With reference to this, the procedure includes binding small bits of clothing by skilled artisans using their fingernails or a pointy nail at regular time intervals. After that, the tying and dying starts. A string or a thread is used to tie the bit of cloth. There are times when rubber bands are being used instead of thread. The knots are tightly tied and in multiple stages, the rest of the fabric is dyed. This leaves the knots undyed and hence a distinct pattern appears all over the cloth.

Bandhani sarees have small circular patterns, known as "dots" or “specks”. These sarees traditionally incorporate colors, such as yellow, blue, green, and black. There are various patterns available based on the number of dots in the Bandhej saree. Some of them are Ek Bundi, Chaubundi or Saat Bundi. Bundi refers to the dots in the saree. The small dots that have dark centers are known as Boond, while the dots that are tear-shaped are known as Kodi. Let us look at some of the popular Bandhani saree patterns.

Gaji Bandhani Saree

Crafted from high-quality silk fabric, this Bandhani saree has a thick, lustrous and smooth texture. While they have a luxurious feel, these sarees are also strong enough to withstand heavy embellishments such as Zardozi embroidery designs. We would suggest these sarees for occasions such as weddings and grand events.

Gharchola Bandhani Saree

Gharchola is a traditional Bandhani saree worn by Gujarati brides. They are known for their elaborate patterns that feature square and diamond-shaped motifs. These sarees often feature a vibrant color palette in shades of green and maroon, with red being the predominant color. Green symbolizes fertility while red represents love. This kind of Bandhani sarees are considered auspicious and are believed to bring good luck to the bride. Apart from weddings, they can be worn on special occasions.

Panetar Bandhani Saree

Panetar is the traditional wedding saree in Gujarat. You might be wondering about the difference between Panetar and Gharchola as they both are wedding sarees in Gujarat. Panetar is ideally supposed to be a gift from the bride's maternal uncle and gharchola is gifted by the bride's new in-laws. Panetar is known for its signature combination of white and red with intricate Bandhani patterns and finished with rich Zari work. Dots, squares, and more elaborate motifs adorn this saree. Besides weddings, you can wear this Bandhani saree on grand festive occasions.

Leheriya Bandhani Saree

Leheriya Bandhani sarees are native to Jodhpur and Jaipur. This kind of Bandhani saree features diagonal and zigzag lines, resembling the uneven waves of water. These Bandhani sarees are proudly worn during traditional festivals like Teej. The vivid colors and striking pattern choices make them suitable for festive occasions.

Shikari Bandhani Saree

Shikari Bandhani sarees derive their name from the Shikari pattern. As the name suggests, the pattern mimics the footprints of hunters, animals and the branches of the trees. These Bandhani designs are usually done in bright and contrasting colors, making them eye-catching and fashionable. These Bandhani are versatile enough for various occasions.

Chandrakhani Bandhani Saree

This Bandhani saree features moon-like patterns with crescent moon being a predominant one. The crescent moon patterns symbolize beauty and grace. The patterns give the saree an exquisite appearance. These Bandhani sarees usually come in lively colors like yellow, blue and green. Their elegant motifs make the saree look effortlessly graceful.

Ekdali Bandhani Saree

Ekdal means "single dot". Ekdali Bandhani sarees feature a single large dot in the center, surrounded by smaller dots that creates a rangoli saree pattern. They are simple yet stunning and can be worn for both casual and formal occasions.

Styling Up Bandhani Sarees

Bandhani sarees are very much a statement in themselves. Their incredible pattern will make you wonder about the other elements of accessorizing. Well, we are here to guide you on the same.

One of the sure-shot ways to level up the look is to experiment with the blouses. Of course, you can go for the ever-dependable matching one. But if you want to spruce up the look, you can go for different color combinations. Some of them are teal and red, coral and green, orange and pink or blue and black with pink. If you are bored with the conventional blouse design, a tie-up blouse, a crop top, a shirt or an off-shoulder top can make great substitutes.

Bandhani sarees come in bright and vivid colors. So, the trick would be to wear jewelry and accessories that would harmonize the look. This depends on the occasion as well. In case of wedding functions or festivals, Polki and Kundan jewelry would be perfect to enrich the appearance. For casual meet-ups and intimate gatherings, beaded costume jewelry matching with the saree color would be great.

For makeup, make one feature stand out and rest others muted. You can go for bold lips or you can go for dramatic eyes. You can style your hair in any kind of braid or a bun, either simple or elaborate. For bags, you can opt for a gold or silver colored clutch. Avoid embroidered ones as they would take away the spotlight from your gorgeous Bandhani saree. In a similar fashion, you can go for metallic or matching footwear such as flats or strappy heels.

Discover the Best with Mirraw

After knowing so much about Bandhani sarees, you would want to add Bandhani sarees in your closet for sure. So, don’t wait!  Go through Mirraw’s huge and vibrant collection of Bandhani sarees. Find options in fabric, color, patterns and more. Enjoy a seamless shopping experience, complemented by free shipping and a hassle-free return policy. We also offer fast shipping internationally.