Pashmina Weaving of Uttarakhand

Pashmina shawls are exclusive products made from Cashmere wool obtained from Changthang goats. The artisans especially the women weavers of Uttarakhand are expert at weaving this fabric into beautiful handmade Pashmina shawls.

The Pashmina shawl came up as a simpler and quicker variation of Kani shawls. This craft has been passed down within families that have taken up the job of creating pashmina shawls. Common patterns and designs used in pashmina shawls are mainly inspired by Mughal designs and include Buta-buti (floral designs), Khat-rast (stripes), Badam/ Ambi/ Kairi (Paisley or tear-shaped design), Lahariya (zig-zag or wave-like design), Shikargah (hunting inspired animal and human figures), and Zanjeer (bordered). 

There are also different varieties of shawls which can be categorised into 4 types. Doshalas, or shoulder mantles, Patkas, longer and narrower sashes like doshalas, Rumals, often referred to as square shawls and Jamawars, which are the all-over-designed shawls.