If ever there is an art of spinning, weaving, dyeing and finally draping in pure silk that has an envious history and track record - it is none but Patan Patola.

Patan is a situated 127 Kms North of Ahmedabad in the Indian State of Gujarat. Inheriting a rich cultural heritage, Patan became famous due to its Patolas (double ikat) or normally a sacred silk cloth which took to different forms over time.

Since its creation and advent more than 1000 years back, Patan Patolas today take form in the shape of handmade saris draped by women and also hand woven in to stole, scarf, or a handkerchief too - but a costly one at that!

Most important process involved is that of tie and dye using natural dyes like catechu, cochineal, indigo, turmeric, asafoetida, madder roots, manjistha, ratnajyot, katha, kesudo, pomegranate skin, henna, marigold flower, onion skin etc to display vibrant colours in the silk sari or fabric. Alum, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, tin chloride, tannic acid, oxalic acid, potassium dichromate and other mordents are also used in the tedious dyeing process.