When you think of Banarasi sarees, the first image that comes to mind is colour — a deep crimson bridal saree glowing with zari, a royal blue drape with floral motifs, or a pastel organza shimmering under daylight. Colour is the soul of Banarasi weaving, as much as silk and zari.
The Ancient Palette – Nature’s Gift
Traditionally, Banarasi weavers used natural dyes sourced from plants, minerals, and flowers.
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Turmeric gave bright yellows symbolising prosperity.
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Indigo produced deep blues linked with spirituality.
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Madder root and lac created rich reds for weddings and rituals.
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Pomegranate rind and kusum flowers offered soft greens and golden tones.
These natural dyes didn’t just colour the fabric — they carried cultural meaning. A bride in red embodied fertility and auspiciousness, while a widow in plain white reflected purity and renunciation.
✨ Fun fact: In the 17th century, foreign travellers often wrote that Banaras sarees looked like “woven gardens”, thanks to their colourful floral motifs.
The Shift to Chemical Dyes
By the late 19th century, synthetic dyes arrived, offering brighter shades and longer-lasting colours. This allowed weavers to expand beyond the traditional palette, introducing purples, pinks, and metallic tones that appealed to changing tastes. Today, Banarasi sarees are available in every imaginable hue — from subtle pastels to bold jewel tones.
Colours & Their Meanings in Banarasi Sarees
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Red & Maroon: Traditional bridal colours, symbolising love and fertility.
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Royal Blue & Emerald Green: Associated with richness and grandeur.
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Gold & Silver: Timeless luxury, especially in tissue and zari sarees.
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Pastels (Blush pink, Mint green, Ivory): Trending among younger brides and global audiences, inspired by celebrity weddings.
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Black & Wine: Once avoided in rituals, now embraced as chic statement shades.
✨ Fun fact: In Banaras, dye masters are often considered artists in their own right — some families have been specialising in dyeing silk for over 200 years.
Colours in Modern Banarasi Fashion
Today, colour trends shift with seasons and celebrity influences. Brides are experimenting with pastels, muted golds, and even ivory Banarasis (like Anushka Sharma’s reception saree). Meanwhile, vibrant jewel tones like magenta and emerald remain classics for festive wear. For global clients, versatile colours like champagne, blush, and navy are highly sought after — sarees that look regal in Indian weddings but also elegant in international settings.
Khinkhwab’s Colour Stories
At Khinkhwab, we bring alive both traditional and modern palettes:
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🌹 Bridal Reds & Maroons – perfect for weddings, steeped in tradition.
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🌸 Pastel Organza & Tissue Sarees – ethereal shades loved by younger brides.
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✨ Gold & Silver Tissue Banarasis – molten hues that shimmer like sunlight and moonlight.
🌈 Exclusive Custom-Dyed Moonga & Tussar Dupattas – available in both earthy naturals and contemporary shades.
Explore our vibrant palette here: Khinkhwab Banarasi Saree Collections.
Closing Thought
From natural dyes to trending pastels, from bridal reds to liquid-gold tissues, colours have always defined Banarasi sarees. They are more than just shades — they carry emotions, rituals, and style statements. Whether you’re choosing a deep maroon Katan, a pastel Organza, or a shimmering gold Tissue, every colour tells a story. And in Banaras, those stories are always woven in silk and zari.
