Kota doria sarees are one of the many types of sari garments made in Kota, Rajasthan that are made of pure cotton and silk and have square like patterns known as khats on them. The khats or the airy pockets of Kota sarees are a result of traditional pit loom and they give these sarees a translucent look and make them airy.  These sarees come in pleasing pastel shades depicting flower, leaf and sometimes geometric mofits, in contrasting thread weave and they look resplendent. Super transparent, light textured and weightless, they are an ideal choice for hot and humid climate of India.

Interesting facts about Kota Doria Sarees:

While these distinct looking sarees with brilliant square patterns from Rajasthan are popular the world over for their looks and the comfort they render, there are many interesting facts that many of us are still allude to about this magnificent weave:

• This discrete weave from Rajasthan was actually originated in Mysore. Also known as Masuriya, it was in the late 17th century that Maharao Kishore Singh, a general of the Mughal army, brought the weavers from Mysore to Rajasthan who got into the art of making Kota Doria Sarees.
• The sarees are manufactured mainly by the Ansari community of the erstwhile Kota state and the ‘Hadauti’ region.
• As of today, the weavers of Kota Doria sarees are concentrated in the villages in outskirts of the Kota city. The major location of the weavers is the Kaithun (or Kaithoon) village, which is about 15 km from Kota. There are nearly 1500 weavers in this cluster. Apart from Kaithun, a few craftsmen pursue the art in nearby districts of Bundi and Baran.
• Kota sarees have a very distinct look, very unique from all other kinds of weaves because of their distinctive square like patterns called ‘khats’.

          

• Pure whites, creams, and beiges dominated Kota sarees once upon a time but with the advent of modern technologies, and changing tastes and times, Kota sarees now come in almost all colors.
• Kota sarees initially came only in pure cotton as cotton rendered the much required strength to the delicate hats but today they come in a variety of silk, cotton or a mix of silk and cotton where cotton renders the strength and comfort while silk gives the much desired shine and transparency.
• An interesting feature of the Kota Doria is the application of onion juice and rice paste on the yarns which strengthens them. The technique is so efficient that there is no need of any additional finishing.
• Kota sarees are embellished in more than one ways–They are either adorned by block prints or embellished through zari work, making them more decorative and stylish.
• Kota Dorias are produced 100% manually on traditional and age-old pit looms with throw shuttle technique. There weaving is done quite skillfully ensuring uniform sized ‘khats’ or are produced.

          

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