Paithan very close to Aurangabad (40)kms visited by the Greek traders from 400 to 200BC . Today is the ancient industry of gold and silver threaded embroidery for which the motifs are derived from the Ajanta Caves. Paithani Sarees Known the world over as a poem hand woven in silk and gold, Paithani Sarees are for those with discerning and refined taste. The art of weaving Paithani flourished in 200B.C., during Satvahana era. since then Paithani is coveted in India as a precious heirloom passing on from generation to generation. Exquisite silk from Paithani was exported to many countries and was traded in return for gold and precious stones. Shear dedication and the faith of the weavers has kept alive Paithani silk work for more than 2000 years. Real Paithani is hand woven pure silk and gold/silver. Intricate designs on pallu and border is a specialty of Paithani Sarees. Motifs on pallu are generally peacock, lotus, mango and other designs taken form Ajanta Caves. Traditional creative artistry and pain staking workmanship combine to form this unique cloth. Paithani Sarees can take between 2 months to years to manufacture, depending on border and pallu design and costs from Rs.6,000/- to Rs.5,00,000.

Described in early literature of Maharashtra. A cloth is being woven since thousands of years from a very ancient and popular city known as Supratishthapuram, a silken cloth brocaded with golden threads, is what we call today the Paithani. The city is today known as paithan, giving fabric its modern name. The fabric woven in traditional ways even after many centuries, is renowned as "the great fabric" not only for Maharashtra but also from India. Even in today's advanced world the methods of weaving Paithani have not changed at all , the reason why its not lessened by a whisker. Woven with extremely dedicate silk threaded sticks, the Paithani is one fabric, which cannot be matched by any other cloth today that is why it is enchanting legacy from Maharashtra and fabric of beautifully women.

The names of Paithani are based on their colors. The harmony between the design of the borders and the overall color is also important, thus what color should go with what designs is predetermined and depending on these combinations the Paithani. References to this pattern can also be found in folksongs and literature. Another fascinating attribute of Paithani is the embroiders on its borders.

Some of the ancient designs of embroidery on the borders the inner design made up of small orbs is similarly important from five hundred to nine hundred such orbs can be found in one design. The Paithani is also considered holy in Indian tradition because of use silk, which has a special importance in Indian marriages.

"Call it a garment or call it a legacy of art, Paithani is the glory of Maharashtra"

 

Himroo, also known as kum khuab is a distinctive, luxurious fabric, once used as dress material by the nobles of the olden days. The district of Aurangabad is popular because of these fine fabrics. These fabrics are made of cotton and silk using a special loom. The original form is made of silver and gold, and the threads of silver and gold were so fine that the final cloth is appeared like gold cloth.

In coarse of time, the original hand weaving fabric has changed to machine made. But a workshop in Aurangabad's Zaffar gate is continuing the conventional style of hand weaving. The workshop also maintains a show room to showcase these products. Here, one can see and shop Himru shawls and sarees. Bold patterns and colours are the specialities of Mashru fabrics. It is said that Marco Polo has been gifted a fabric woven in silk and gold threads.