Vanalata is an original Sambalpuri cotton saree woven in deep green and maroon, carrying Plula (flower) motifs across the body and pallu, with a Rudraksha-patterned border — a handloom Sambalpuri saree shaped by the Bandhakala process, thread by thread.

The Craft Behind Vanalata

Vanalata is woven by Bhulia weavers of Odisha using the Bandha technique — a double ikat process in which both warp and weft threads are individually resist-dyed before a single pass of weaving begins. Each thread is tied, dyed, dried, and set in precise sequence so that the Plula and Rudraksha motifs emerge simultaneously from both axes of the cloth. This Bandhakala process demands exact alignment and takes 10 to 15 days on the loom for a cotton saree of this count. The result is a GI certified Sambalpuri saree carrying the Government of India Handloom Mark — a verified record of its origin and craft.

Wearing Vanalata

Mercerized cotton at a warp and weft count of 120 each gives Vanalata a firm yet fluid hand. The cloth drapes with a gentle weight that holds pleats cleanly and moves without pulling. Green grounds the saree for a Sambalpuri saree for puja, where the colour carries quiet significance, while the structured border makes it a considered choice as a Sambalpuri cotton saree for office — present without being loud. For a Sambalpuri saree for wedding, the full Plula-patterned pallu reads with clarity across a room. The Rudraksha border frames the drape and connects the wearer to a motif language that is specific to this tradition and this region.

Vanalata is part of the Pasapali collection of authentic Sambalpuri handloom sarees, sourced directly from the Bhulia weaving communities of Odisha.

Explore More Handloom Sarees

Vanalata is part of Pasapali's collection of Sambalpuri Handloom sarees from Odisha. Read the story behind the brand and the weavers who make them.