Mangalgiri Saree
Mangalgiri sarees are a well-known handloom product from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
The term Mangalgiri has been derived from a location known as Mangalgiri which is situated at a distance of 12 km from Vijayawada.
This particular town is famous for being a popular pilgrimage destination, as well as for its attractive sarees.
A typical Mangalgiri saree features intricate tribal designs that have been woven in cotton together with golden-colored or zari patterns occurring in small checks.
The saree’s pallu is embellished with a striped design that happens to be a tribal decoration made from golden embroidery.
These sarees are available in different types of bold shades that make them appear extremely gorgeous and elegant.
Origin and history
Prior to the existence of these sarees, the town of Mangalgiri was reputed to be a pilgrimage location because of the well-known temple of Lord Panakala Narasimha Swamy located at the core of the town.
Individuals believe that this particular temple has existed since Satya Yuga and the erstwhile Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is situated underneath this present temple where the main idol was installed by Yudhistira himself.
Nevertheless, this present temple was constructed by Raja Vasireddi Venkatadri Naidu during 1807 to 1809.
According to historical traditions, it has been stated that it was imperative for the pilgrims to buy a saree from the local weavers after providing obeisance to the deity.
This resulted in the increasing popularity of Mangalgiri sarees over the years.
The making of Mangalgiri sarees
The production of Mangalgiri cotton is done by the cotton yarn bought from the mills.
Following this, the cotton yarn is boiled in a solution of caustic soda and water for approximately 2 hours, and then, it becomes appropriate for dyeing.
In case the cotton yarn is meant to make white-colored sarees, it’ll be bleached prior to weaving; otherwise, chemical dyes will be used for coloring.
Following the dyeing process, the yarn is dried in the sun before it becomes ready for the weaving process.
The fabric will be woven only on pit looms because these sarees only feature zari on the pallu as well as a zari border without any sort of woven designs on the saree’s main body.
In this way, it is possible for the weaver to apply much more force without any gaps at the time of the weaving process.
This is actually what differentiates the Mangalgiri textiles from other types of weaves.
How to identify a Mangalgiri saree?
A typical Mangalgiri saree features gold thread or zari work decorated with Nizam pallu and border.
The saree does not feature any embellishments on the main body.
The simple, yet geometric designs have derived inspiration from tribal designs.
The fabric is woven only on looms since the Mangalgiri sarees feature a zari on the pallu as well as a zari border without any sort of pattern woven on the saree’s main body.
Different types of Mangalgiri sarees
• Mangalagiri Cotton Sarees – This saree has been prepared from genuine cotton fabric which helps to make it an extremely good choice for daily wear, as well as office wear. The saree is quite breathable, as well as durable since the weavers will make use of pure cotton which makes it a fantastic choice for individuals residing in India having a tropical climate.
• Mangalagiri Sico Sarees – This particular saree happens to be a blend of silk fabric and pure cotton which will provide you with the durability and comfort of a cotton saree as well as the conventional design of a silk sari. It is possible to wear a Mangalagiri Sico Saree on virtually every occasion at present.
• Mangalgiri Silk Sarees – The most important thing regarding this particular saree is that it is comparatively affordable so even middle-class people can also purchase it. The silk utilized for making the saree makes it an appropriate choice for wedding purposes, as well as other types of religious festivals. In case you are searching for a saree that can be worn at any occasion or party, then you need to check out these Mangalgiri Silk Sarees.
How to select an ideal Mangalgiri saree?
• Purpose – Keep the occasion in mind while choosing a Mangalgiri saree. It’ll be a good idea to consider using Mangalgiri cotton sarees for daily use or office use and Mangalgiri silk sarees while going to any special occasion like a marriage ceremony or a festival.
• Fabric quality – While purchasing these sarees, always verify whether it is genuine fabric or not. In case you are purchasing a Mangalgiri silk saree then make sure that there is the pure mark certificate tag and while purchasing a Mangalgiri cotton saree, make certain that it is prepared from genuine cotton fabric.
• Durability – It is natural for you to try to make the saree that you have purchased by spending a lot of money last for many years. The good thing is that if you have purchased a genuine silk or cotton Mangalgiri saree, you can definitely expect it to last for quite some time.
• Color scheme – It is the color of the Mangalgiri saree that can play an important role in figuring out your appearance in the long run. Bear in mind the color of your skin while selecting this saree. In case you want to use it for wearing in the office, then it’ll be advisable to choose pastels; on the other hand, you can go for rich and dramatic shades in case you want to use it for any festive occasion.
