Neelima is an original Sambalpuri cotton saree woven in deep navy blue mercerized cotton, part of the authentic Sambalpuri handloom tradition carried forward by Pasapali. The body carries a traditional phula motif, the border runs with a Rudraksha pattern, and the pallu opens into a composed flower motif — each element dyed into the thread before a single pass of the shuttle.
The Craft Behind Neelima
Neelima is produced through the Bandha technique — a double ikat process known in Odishan craft tradition as Bandhakala. Before weaving begins, both warp and weft threads are individually bound and resist-dyed in precise sections. When the threads are finally set on the loom, the motifs emerge simultaneously across both axes, aligning through the weaver's skill alone — no printing, no embroidery. Bhulia weavers of Odisha, the hereditary custodians of this craft, spend 10 to 15 days completing a single cotton saree at this thread count. Neelima carries the GI certified Sambalpuri saree mark and the Government of India Handloom Mark, confirming its origin and process.
Wearing Neelima
Mercerized cotton at a thread count of 120 warp by 120 weft produces a fabric that is firm yet fluid — it drapes in clean pleats without stiffness and settles without excess weight. The navy blue ground absorbs light evenly, making the phula motif visible across the body without contrast glare. As a Sambalpuri saree for wedding functions, the Rudraksha border carries cultural weight without demanding heavy ornament. As a Sambalpuri saree for puja, the phula and flower motifs hold devotional resonance long embedded in Odishan textile tradition. As a Sambalpuri cotton saree for office, the fabric remains composed across a full day's wear, breathable and structured. Neelima is a saree that holds its ground quietly.
Neelima is part of the handloom Sambalpuri saree range at Pasapali, documenting the Bandhakala craft of Odisha one weave at a time.
| Product Name | Neelima |
|---|---|
| Saree Type | Sambalpuri Bandha |
| Tradition | Sambalpuri Handloom (GI Certified) |
| Weave | Handloom |
| Technique | Bandha — Double Ikat (Bandhakala) |
| Material | Mercerized Cotton |
| Thread Count | Warp 120 / Weft 120 |
| Saree Length | 5.40 metres |
| Saree Breadth | 43 inches |
| Blouse | Yes (included) |
| Primary Colour | Navy Blue |
| Secondary Colour | Blue |
| Body Design | Traditional Phula Motif |
| Border | Rudraksha Motif |
| Pallu | Flower Motif |
| Key Motifs | Phula, Rudraksha, Flower |
| Woven By | Bhulia Weavers, Odisha |
| Weave Time | 10–15 days |
| GI Tag | Sambalpuri Handloom |
| Certification | Government of India Handloom Mark |
| Ideal For | Wedding, Puja, Office, Everyday Drape |
Explore More Handloom Sarees
Neelima is part of Pasapali's collection of Sambalpuri Handloom sarees from Odisha. Read the story behind the brand and the weavers who make them.