Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, known earlier as Aurangabad, is the home of two famous textiles: the Paithani, a handwoven silk sari with a gold-threaded pallu and peacock or floral motifs, and Himroo, a soft cotton-and-silk weave used for shawls and stoles. Buy from established weavers or government emporiums to be sure of genuine, handwoven pieces.
The region is as known for its looms as its caves. The Paithani sari is one of India's most prized handwoven textiles, and Himroo is a distinctive local weave with a long history. For visitors, the appeal is buying something genuine and special, which means knowing what to look for and where, since machine-made imitations are common. This guide covers both textiles and how to tell real from fake, and where to shop.
The Paithani is a luxurious handwoven pure-silk sari, named after the nearby town of Paithan, known for its richly woven gold-thread pallu and border and its peacock, lotus and vine motifs. Himroo is a softer cotton-and-silk fabric with a brocade-like patterned weave, traditionally made into shawls, stoles and furnishing pieces in Aurangabad.
These two textiles come from different traditions but share the city's weaving heritage. The Paithani, named after the town of Paithan near the city, is among the most prestigious saris in India, woven entirely by hand in pure silk, with its glory in the pallu and borders, where real gold or gold-coloured thread is woven into intricate peacock, lotus, vine and other motifs. A genuine Paithani can take weeks or months on the loom, which is why it is treasured and passed down through generations. Himroo, by contrast, is a softer fabric blending cotton and silk in a patterned, brocade-like weave that was historically favoured for shawls, stoles and bedspreads, with designs influenced by Persian art, lighter and more affordable than a Paithani while still distinctive and local. Together, they make Aurangabad a genuine textile destination, not just a sightseeing one. To base yourself for a shopping and sightseeing trip, you can check rooms at IRA by Orchid Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
To buy a genuine Paithani or Himroo, shop at established weaver showrooms, government handloom emporiums or recognised cooperatives rather than roadside stalls, since machine-made imitations are common. Look for handwoven detail, ask about the silk and the gold thread, take your time, and get a proper bill, especially for a high-value Paithani.
The honest buyer's advice matters most here, because imitation is widespread. A real handwoven Paithani is expensive and rare, so a cheap sari sold as a Paithani is almost certainly machine-made or a powerloom copy, which is fine if you know that is what you are buying, but not if you are paying for the genuine article. To buy with confidence, go to established weaver showrooms, government handloom emporiums or recognised weaver cooperatives, where provenance is clearer, rather than tourist stalls. Look closely at the weave; a true handloom piece shows its handwork on the reverse. Ask specifically whether the silk is pure and the zari is real, and do not rush a major purchase. For a high-value Paithani, get a proper bill and any certification offered. Himroo is lower risk and more affordable, but the same principle applies: buy from a reputable source. Treated as a considered purchase rather than an impulse buy, you come away with something genuine and lasting.
Shop for Paithani and Himroo at the weaver showrooms and handloom outlets in the city, and visit Paithan town nearby to see Paithani weaving at its source if you have time. Beyond textiles, the city offers Mughlai-style sweets and dry fruits to take home, making for easy, characterful souvenirs.
The city has several weaver showrooms and handloom outlets where you can see and buy both textiles, and staff at these established places can usually explain the weave and the motifs, which is part of the pleasure. If you are keen and have time, the town of Paithan, the namesake of the Paithani, about a couple of hours from the city, is where you can see the sari woven at its source, a memorable detour for textile enthusiasts. Beyond cloth, the city's Mughlai-influenced sweets and the dry fruits common to the region make easy, characterful edible souvenirs to carry home, lighter on the budget and the suitcase than a silk sari. Whether you splurge on a Paithani, pick up a Himroo stole, or simply take home sweets, the city rewards a little shopping alongside its heritage. A central base keeps the showrooms within easy reach between sightseeing. To set up your base, you can book your Sambhajinagar stay directly.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly Aurangabad, has its own airport with metro connections and a railway station, so reaching the city and its weaver showrooms is easy by air, rail or road. A central base keeps the handloom outlets close, with the caves and city sights an easy drive away for a combined trip.
Reaching the textiles means reaching the city, which is simple. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, still widely called Aurangabad, has its own airport with connections to the major metros and a railway station, so arrivals are easy by air, rail or road. Within the city, app cabs and autos reach the weaver showrooms and handloom emporiums conveniently, so a shopping afternoon slots easily around the sightseeing. A central base keeps the showrooms close and the caves and city sights within an easy drive, so you can combine a Paithani or Himroo shopping trip with Ajanta, Ellora and the city monuments in one visit. From a comfortable hotel base, the hotel can point you to current reputable outlets, which helps you avoid the imitation trade. For a base that keeps both the shopping streets and the caves within easy reach, view room options at IRA by Orchid Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
For a Sambhajinagar trip, book an IRA by Orchid Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar directly for the best rate. As part of the Orchid Hotels group, it is covered by Orchid Rewards, giving members up to 30 percent off direct bookings, applied automatically with no promo code. Booking direct also avoids travel-site commissions and gives access to packages.
The value advice is to book direct. IRA by Orchid Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is part of the Orchid Hotels group, so Orchid Rewards applies, giving members up to 30 percent off direct bookings, applied automatically with no coupon to enter, and joining is free. Booking direct also keeps you clear of travel-site commissions and opens up any package, useful for a trip that combines shopping with the caves and city sights, with breakfast and a central base. The pleasant winter from October to March is the peak for sightseeing and is busy, so book your stay ahead. The rooftop Upper Deck restaurant and comfortable rooms make an easy return after a day among the looms and the monuments. To get the member rate, you can book your stay at IRA by Orchid Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
What is a Paithani sari?
A Paithani is a luxurious handwoven pure-silk sari, named after the town of Paithan near the city, known for its richly woven gold-thread pallu and border and its peacock, lotus and vine motifs. A genuine piece is woven entirely by hand and treasured for generations.
What is Himroo?
Himroo is a soft cotton-and-silk fabric with a patterned, brocade-like weave, traditionally made into shawls, stoles and furnishings in Aurangabad, with designs influenced by Persian art. It is lighter and more affordable than a Paithani while still distinctive and local.
How do I buy a genuine Paithani?
Buy from established weaver showrooms, government handloom emporiums or recognised cooperatives rather than roadside stalls, as machine-made imitations are common. Check the handwoven detail, ask about the pure silk and real zari, take your time, and get a proper bill for a high-value piece.
Where can I see Paithani weaving?
At weaver showrooms in the city, and at the town of Paithan, the sari's namesake about a couple of hours away, where you can see it woven at its source, a memorable detour for textile enthusiasts. Established city showrooms can also explain the weave and motifs.
Where should I stay for a shopping and sightseeing trip?
A central base works best. IRA by Orchid Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar keeps the weaver showrooms within easy reach and the caves and city sights an easy drive away, with the rooftop Upper Deck restaurant and comfortable rooms, for a combined shopping and heritage trip.
A genuine Paithani or Himroo is a lasting souvenir of a cave trip, well worth buying with care from the right source. Read our complete guide to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Aurangabad, and when you are ready, book your stay at IRA by Orchid Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Beed Bypass Rd,
PWD Colony, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra 431005
Email: reservations@orchidhotel.com
Call: +91 8652 636363
