Vintage Shikargah

A Shikargah Banarasi saree is a handloom saree woven in Varanasi featuring the Shikargah motif — an intricate hunting-scene design depicting animals, birds, hunters, horses, elephants, and forest landscapes, often combined with Persian-influenced patterns. The name comes from the Persian-Urdu word shikar, meaning "to hunt." Shikargah is a design tradition rather than a fabric or weave structure, and it is most commonly woven onto pure Katan Silk. The motifs are created using a labour-intensive supplementary-weft technique and can take up to four months to complete. Every Shikargah saree at Sacred Weaves is Silk Mark certified and handloom woven in Varanasi.

Shikargah sarees are among the most labour-intensive of all Banarasi designs because each figurative element — every animal, hunter, and forest scene — must be woven individually by hand using a supplementary-weft technique, rather than repeated as a simple geometric pattern. An elaborate Shikargah saree can take up to four months on the loom. The skill required is considerable, and the number of weavers who can execute authentic Shikargah work is declining, which adds to their rarity. Because the detailed figurative motifs cannot be faithfully reproduced on a power loom, a genuine handloom Shikargah saree is valued as both a garment and a collector's or heirloom piece.

Most Shikargah sarees are woven on pure Katan Silk — the heaviest and most traditional Banarasi fabric, made from tightly twisted pure silk threads and typically weighing 550–1250 grams. The firm, substantial Katan base suits the dense, figurative Shikargah motifs, giving them structure and a rich drape. Within Sacred Weaves' collection you will find both plain Shikargah, where the hunting motif sits on a Katan ground with zari detailing, and Shikargah Brocade, which combines the motif with denser all-over brocade zari work for a more opulent, wedding-appropriate look.

The ceremonial nature of the Shikargah motif and the weight of the Katan silk base make these sarees especially suited to weddings, major festive occasions, and heirloom or collector wardrobes. Their intricate, storytelling motifs give them a regal, statement quality that works well for brides, mothers of the bride, and formal celebrations where a distinctive traditional saree is desired. Because Shikargah is an unusual and recognisable design rather than a common floral or jaal pattern, it also appeals to buyers looking for a rare, conversation-piece saree rather than a conventional festive weave.

The Shikargah design takes its name from the Persian-Urdu word shikar ("to hunt"), and its hunting-scene motifs draw on artistic traditions that predate the Mughal era, with strong Persian influence. Hunting has inspired Indian decorative art for centuries, and in Varanasi this evolved into the distinctive Shikargah weaving tradition — depicting horses, elephants, deer, tigers, birds, and forest landscapes alongside Persian motifs like the tree of life and pomegranate flowers. Shikargah is closely identified with Varanasi's weaving heritage and is considered one of the region's more culturally significant and technically demanding design traditions.

Yes. Every Shikargah saree in this collection is Silk Mark certified — verifiable via the unique serial number on silkmark.in — confirming 100% pure natural silk content. Each saree is woven on a traditional pit loom by artisans based in and around Varanasi, and sourced directly with no middlemen. On a genuine handloom Shikargah saree, the reverse shows the supplementary-weft thread floats behind each motif — distinct from the uniform back of a power-loom imitation. Every order includes a certificate of authenticity, and the invoice carries HSN Code 5007 confirming pure silk fabric.