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Buying a Sambalpuri saree from India when you live abroad

Sambalpuri bandha is tie-dyed thread, not tie-dyed cloth: the pattern is in the yarn before the saree is woven.

Yes — you can buy sambalpuri saree from Indian shops even if they do not deliver to your country. India Rabbit gives you a free delivery address in India. You order to that address as an ordinary domestic customer, we receive and hold the parcel free for 30 days, combine it with anything else you buy, and forward the lot to you.

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Why this is hard to buy where you are

Sambalpuri sarees are woven in western Odisha, in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh and Balangir, in cotton, silk and tussar. The yarn is tied and dyed before weaving (bandha), so the motifs emerge on the loom. The craft is a registered Geographical Indication, Sambalpuri Bandha Saree and Fabrics. The weave is widely copied on power looms and in polyester prints, which is why buying from the co-operative or a seller who works with weavers matters.

Where to buy it

Shop	What they are good for
Boyanika	The Odisha State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society, established in 1956; it states its products carry the Handloom Mark.
iTokri	Handwoven Sambalpuri cotton sarees with the weight and length on each listing.
India Handmade	The Ministry of Textiles marketplace, with Sambalpuri cotton sarees from individual sellers and sizes stated.
The India Craft House	Handwoven Sambalpuri ikat cotton sarees, with the weight listed.

The state co-operative and craft sellers sell to buyers in India. A free Indian address makes your order a domestic delivery, and you can order from several of them and pay to ship once.

What to check before you order

Look at the motif edges. Dyed yarn gives soft, slightly blurred edges; a print or jacquard copy has sharp ones.
Turn it over. A woven bandha pattern shows on both faces.
Check the selvedge. On a handloom it is slightly uneven; machine-made cloth is perfectly straight.
Be wary of a very low price for silk. Sources put basic cotton at about Rs 500 to 2,000, finer cotton at Rs 5,000 to 15,000, and silk ikat from about Rs 8,000.
The Handloom Mark label is the simplest proof of handloom.

Weight, customs and getting it here intact

Weight

Light. Handwoven cotton Sambalpuris listed by sellers weigh about 400 to 445 g at 5.2 to 5.5 m.

Volume

Folds flat; volumetric weight rarely decides the price.

Customs

Declared as a cotton or silk saree at its real value. Duty and import tax are set by your country. Check what your destination allows.

Condition

Packed in a sealed bag against damp. Sellers advise dry cleaning or washing separately in cold water, no wringing, and drying flat in shade; the colours may release a little on the first wash.

Work out the exact cost to your country

Where we send it

Pick your country for transit times and customs notes.

Questions

How do I know a Sambalpuri saree is handwoven?

Look for soft, blurred edges on the motifs, the pattern showing on both sides, and a slightly uneven selvedge. The Handloom Mark label is the simplest proof.

Can I buy from the Odisha weavers co-operative from abroad?

Yes. Order on its site as a domestic customer using your India Rabbit address. We receive the saree, photograph it, and forward it with anything else you have waiting.

Is a Sambalpuri saree single or double ikat?

Most are single ikat; double ikat pieces exist and cost more. Ask the seller which you are buying.

Will the colours run?

A new cotton Sambalpuri can release some colour. Sellers advise washing it on its own in cold water, or dry cleaning.

Order it like you live in Kerala

Your free Indian address takes a minute to set up and works on your very next order. We hold parcels free for 30 days so you can combine them into one box.

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