The Art of Knotting
Where every tiny knot shapes the design
Each marked point is carefully gathered and tied by hand, one by one. It is slow, painstaking work, where thousands of tiny knots come together to create the pattern that will eventually emerge on the saree.
Colour, Layer by Layer
Where the colours bring the design to life
The tied piece is carefully dipped into colour, while the knots protect the marked portions from the dye. With every round of dyeing, the design takes greater shape, until the knots are finally opened to reveal the Bandhej hidden within.
The Journey of a Thousand Knots
Every Bandhej saree is a story that travels across India—woven with heritage, shaped by countless skilled hands, and brought to life through months of patience. What finally reaches you is not just a saree, but a remarkable journey of craft.
Woven with Purpose
The journey begins with weaving. Depending on the design, the fabric is woven in Benaras or Maharashtra, creating the perfect canvas before it begins its transformation into Bandhej.
A Million Tiny Knots
The undyed saree then travels to Bhuj, Gujarat, where skilled women artisans carefully mark and hand-tie thousands of tiny knots, one by one. Often balancing household responsibilities alongside their craft, they spend anywhere from three to nine months patiently bringing each intricate design to life.
Colours Revealed with Patience
Once every knot is complete, the saree enters the dyeing process. For multi-coloured designs, it is dyed repeatedly, with fresh knots tied before each colour is added. When the knots are finally opened, every untouched dot reveals its own shade—creating the signature Bandhej patterns that cannot be replicated by machines.
A Journey Worth Cherishing
After travelling across regions and passing through countless dedicated hands, every Bandhej saree is thoughtfully curated before becoming part of the Umay Benaras collection. It carries not only colour and craftsmanship, but months of patience, tradition and human artistry.