Alaipura

We had such a unique behind-the-scenes tour of a neighborhood full of silk cloth weaving operations in Varanasi this afternoon thanks to Rajeev. Many small weaving operations produce for wholesalers. A guide from a local retail/wholesale outlet walked us through a maze of narrow alleyways (that cars could not fit in), and the sound of machine looms clacking away came from windows and doors everywhere. We were told that the silk weavers are Muslim, or at least predominantly so. We stopped at the window of an old man who was working on a hand-powered loom. Our guide said that he has three wives, which I thought was an interesting detail to share.

After the walking tour we went back to the shop and enjoyed perhaps our last great lassis of the trip while they showed us all of their wares. I’m including a photo of what their previously clear floors looked like after they kept pulling things out for us to see.Read more