We’ve just completed
three consecutive tours.
22 April 2024.
Written By Pam Holland
This is a blog about No Trip No 1.
Central India, Trails of Textiles and Temples.
You may be wondering why we offer consecutive tours. The reason is to make it more convenient for guests who wish to participate in multiple tours. This way, guests can save money on airfares, and the tours are designed to transition smoothly from one to the next.
Varanasi.
Varanasi, also known as Benares, is located in northern India and is considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Situated in the fertile Ganga valley and on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus who come to bathe in the holy river. The city, known as the City of Temples, is a culture center and has produced many renowned writers. Additionally, it is a hub for silk weaving.
We visited ancient Buddhist sites and craft villages and learned about weaving styles.
We stayed in old Palaces and Havelis. The Havelis, or private mansions of a bygone era, were architectural marvels that showcased intricate designs and a unique sense of grandeur. These Havelis were designed to be open inwards and closed from outside, with elaborately carved archways and latticework jharokhas that added to their charm. The quintessential chowk in the middle of the Havelis was a hub for family gatherings and was often decorated with ornate details, such as lotus-shaped fountains.
These havelis were not just private residences for typical Indian joint families but also magnificent hosting grounds for weddings and other celebrations. Thanks to their unending corridors and spacious interiors, they could be transformed into a grand venue for a baraat practically overnight. The square-shaped layout of the rooms, with raised parapets and a viewing gallery, allowed for an excellent view of the entire haveli.
In addition to their ornate features, havelis included a “chhat” or terrace, providing a perfect spot for relaxing or admiring the view. The “tehkhana” was another unique feature that provided relief from the scorching summer heat. These havelis were a true testament to India’s rich cultural heritage and inspire awe and admiration even today.
Havelis.
We spent time wandering through centuries-old forts and castles.
Learning about weaving in the villages.
Wax resist dyeing in small village workshops.
Resist Dyeing is a cloth patterning technique that involves dyeing fabric sections after some parts have been reserved. There are two methods to achieve this. The first involves manipulating the cloth by tying, stitching, folding, or wrapping it. The second one involves using materials such as wax or mud to apply a design that restricts the absorption of color. Complex versions of this technique include dyeing the cloth in different colors in sequence, with different sections reserved each time, to create a multi-colored pattern.
The patterns resulting from the two methods of resist-cloth manipulation and applying wax or mud resist are different. In cloth manipulations, the lines and patterns tend to be more fluid, while in wax or mud resist, the lines are typically sharper and spiky.
Evidence of resist-dyed textiles dates back to the 6th and 7th centuries, as seen in the cave paintings at Ajanta, and Jain manuscripts from the 12th century onwards. The technique is believed to have originated in Western India and is still concentrated in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
We visited the Tribal Craft museums, traveled the silk route, and stayed in unique villages, learning many different forms of Textile production
Indore, Maheshwar, Bhopal, Sanchi, Orcha, and Chanderi.
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Khajuraho.
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Bhimbhetka Caves.
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site Sarnath and Sanchi,
Festivals and Markets in small villages.
Bagh, resist, block printing.
Bagh Print is a traditional Indian handicraft in the Bagh Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. The process is characterized by hand-printed woodblock prints with naturally sourced pigments and dyes. Bagh print motifs are typically geometric, paisley, or floral compositions designed and dyed with vegetable colors of red and black over a white background. They are a popular textile printing product. Its name is derived from the village of Bagh, located on the banks of the Bagh River
Our first tour of the year was an unforgettable experience.
We enjoyed spending time with some wonderful guests while exploring the art of textile production in Central India.
This region is known for its rich history in textile making. It was fascinating to learn about the traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Our guests were equally enthusiastic, and we spent many hours learning the process of weaving, dyeing, and printing fabrics.
We also had the opportunity to meet with local artisans who shared their knowledge and skills with us.
It was truly inspiring to witness the passion and dedication that goes into creating these beautiful textiles.
We left with a deeper appreciation for the art of textile production; we will repeat this tour in 2025 at the same time of the year.
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