Handloom vs Powerloom: How to Identify a Genuine Handwoven Banarasi Saree

What is the difference between handloom and powerloom?

Handloom weaving is done entirely by hand on a wooden pit loom, a process that can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks per saree depending on the complexity of the design. Powerloom weaving uses electrically driven machines that can produce a similar-looking saree in a fraction of the time. Genuine Banarasi sarees, by definition, are handloom-woven in Varanasi — powerloom versions are mass-produced imitations, often made outside Banaras entirely.

Why does handloom matter?

Handloom weaving is a centuries-old craft practised by artisan families in and around Varanasi, and it directly sustains that community's livelihood. Buying genuine handloom also means better durability, richer texture, and a saree that is, by definition, unique — no two handloom pieces are ever perfectly identical.

Are all Banarasi-labelled sarees actually handloom?

No. "Banarasi" as a term is sometimes used loosely by sellers to describe a design style, even when the saree is machine-made or produced outside Varanasi. Buying from a source that explicitly states "handloom" for each specific product — not just as a general brand claim — is the safest way to ensure authenticity.

Every saree at Shades of Banaras is confirmed handloom, woven on traditional pit looms in Banaras — browse our handwoven Banarasi saree collection.