What is the difference between Khandua and Sambalpuri Sarees

This post can easily be labeled as how to Identify a Khandua Saree from Sambalpuri Saree. 

I am writing this post from a buyer's perspective. In general, Khandua sarees cost less than corresponding Sambalpuri sarees. 

The main difference between Khandua and Sambalpuri  sarees is that the sambalpuri sarees have more elaborate and dense Ikat patterns, thereby making them more costly. Also Sambalpuri Silk Sarees Use Mulberrry x Mulberry yarns ( 3 ply x 3 ply) and thus have a weight of 650 to 700 grams. Khandua Silk sarees use 2 Ply Bangalore x 3 ply Malda Silk with a weight of 380-450 grams.

In cotton Sambalpuri Sarees the count is about 2/120s x 2/140s or 2/120s x 2/120s with a reed and pick of 72 and 76. Whereas in Khandua it is 2/100s x 2/100s, 2/80s x 2/80s or 2/100s x 2/80s with reed and pick of 64 and 72. One warp for Sambalpuri is only 2-4 sarees; whereas for Khandua, it is upto 30 sarees. Also Sambalpuri sarees are Manufactured in the Sambalpuri and Bargarh regions of Orissa, whereas Khandua sarees are manufactured in Nuapatna.

To translate the above for a layman, Khandua sarees are less finer and has less weight ( silk) as compared to the Sambalpuri sarees.

This is not to say that Khandua sarees are in any ways inferior to Sambalpuri, the difference is more of the material used and the fineness desired.

Now if you are a buyer or a shopper, you might be led to believe by a seller that a saree is a Sambalpuri saree and he is giving you at a bargin, but in fact it is a Khandua saree from Nuapatna.

Conversely, you might find a seller is charging you more for Orissa Ikat, when in fact, he is showing you a Sambalpuri Ikat and you are comparing it with Khandua.

Sambalpuri Ikat

Nuapatna Ikat

An Amazing source on Sambalpuri Process is this

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