Shankhamayi is an original Sambalpuri cotton saree woven in deep blue mercerized cotton, part of Pasapali's handloom Sambalpuri collection — carrying all-over shankha motifs, a fish-bordered hem, and an ikat phula lata pallu across 5.40 metres of handloom Sambalpuri saree fabric.
The Craft Behind Shankhamayi
Shankhamayi is woven using Bandha, the double ikat technique practised by Bhulia weavers of Odisha for generations. In the Bandhakala process, both warp and weft threads are resist-dyed by tying sections before a single pass of the shuttle. Dye penetrates only the exposed portions; when bindings are removed and threads are set on the loom, motifs emerge simultaneously across both thread directions with measured precision. The shankha and fish forms you see in this GI certified Sambalpuri saree are not printed or embroidered — they are the result of calculated resist points, mapped and tied by hand. A single authentic Sambalpuri handloom saree in mercerized cotton takes 10 to 15 days on the loom to complete.
Wearing Shankhamayi
Mercerized cotton carries a controlled sheen without added weight. The fabric drapes close to the body in steady, defined folds, holds its pleats through the day, and breathes well across seasons. The solid black border gives the drape a clean edge, while the shankha motifs across the body read clearly at a distance. This is a Sambalpuri saree for wedding occasions where restraint matters as much as craft. It suits a Sambalpuri saree for puja, where blue and black carry devotional weight. The fabric's ease and structure also make it a practical Sambalpuri cotton saree for office wear. The wearer carries the shankha — a symbol of auspiciousness — distributed evenly across every pleat and fold.
Shankhamayi is part of Pasapali's commitment to authentic Sambalpuri handloom sarees woven by Bhulia artisans of Odisha.
| Product Name | Shankhamayi |
|---|---|
| Saree Type | Sambalpuri Bandha |
| Tradition | Sambalpuri Handloom (GI Certified) |
| Weave | Handloom |
| Technique | Bandha (Double Ikat) |
| Material | Mercerized Cotton |
| Thread Count | Warp 120 / Weft 120 |
| Saree Length | 5.40 metres |
| Saree Breadth | 43 inches |
| Blouse | Yes (blouse piece included) |
| Primary Colour | Blue |
| Secondary Colour | Black |
| Body Design | All-over shankha motif with fish motif at bottom hem |
| Border | Plain solid black border |
| Pallu | Ikat phula lata motif |
| Key Motifs | Shankha (conch), Fish, Phula Lata (floral vine) |
| 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, Gifting |
Explore More Handloom Sarees
Shankhamayi is part of Pasapali's collection of Sambalpuri Handloom sarees from Odisha. Read the story behind the brand and the weavers who make them.