Shubh dashmi and today as we celebrate the final day of Durga Puja or navratris, I thought of wearing a sari from my mother’s collection of beautiful silks and hence I chose the traditional Garad. If you thought white color is only reserved for serious occasions then you better have a look at this post.
Garad (also known as Garod) silk is one of the popular styles of saree that has its origin in West Bengal. Also known as Gorod, the word Garad means ‘White’. Garad silk sarees are distinguished by its red border and small paisley motifs. Silk fabric used to weave Garad sarees is not dyed which keeps the purity factor of the fabric intact and therefore these sarees have a sacred importance to the women in Bengal.The color white is regarded as a symbol of purity; hence women prefer to wear a Garad Saree for special occasions and religious ceremonies. This garod silk has its position fixed as pristine part of any Pooja due to no adulteration. This is also worn on Sindoor tritiya or gauri Pooja on third day of navratris.
In east of India, including Bihar, Benaras and Allahabad, it is considered that during Puja no stitched clothes should be worn n hence these saris are traditionally used without fall although in modern parlance these things don’t hold so much of importance. Garad silk is made up of mulberry silk or tussar.
Garad also comes in tussar. Traditional Bengal tussar sarees come in the natural shades of beige or cream with a coloured border and pallav, and floral and paisley motifs woven across the globe. Tussar silk also forms a great canvas for kantha embroidery, where the plain fabric is colourfully adorned with embroidered patterns to form the borders and pallav of the saree. My sis-in-law is wearing a tussar Garad again from mom’s collection. The exotic weave makes it completely elegant. So grace the air with your presence in Indian handloom, silks of India.
Garad has shown its impact on fashion runways and in Bollywood equally. Designers like Neeta lulla, Soumitra Mandal etc have showcased Garad on the ramp in beautiful manner.
You can team it up with a brocade blouse and gold jewellery to give a perfect look for any festive occasions, be it festivals or wedding or anywhere else.
So girls time to explore in mom’s wardrobe for some rich heritage and traditional saris and make some waves, time to grace the air with some charm…
Garad in tussar – pallu
[Outfit detail]
mother’s wardrobe
Leather has been making the rounds on fashion runways across the world this year. Read more... 
