Weaving Heritage into the Future: How a Small Himachali Village is Reviving India’s Handloom Legacy

Today, as India celebrates National Handloom Day, the spotlight turns to the artisans whose hands craft stories into fabric. This day honors not just the vibrant handloom industry but also the spirit of the Swadeshi movement that once fueled India’s fight for freedom. Second only to agriculture in providing employment, handloom remains a lifeline for many rural communities.

In the heart of Himachal Pradesh, nestled among the hills, Sharan village in Kullu stands as a living testament to tradition. While the world races ahead with machines, this village holds tight to its cultural roots, keeping the art of handloom alive. Here, weaving isn’t just a craft—it’s a way of life.

Declared a Handloom Village in 2020, Sharan’s charm lies in its ancient wooden homes and the rhythmic clatter of looms. A government survey found that 95% of its houses were built in the traditional Kaasth-Kuni style, and nearly every household was involved in weaving shawls, pattus, and caps. The village met all the criteria, earning its place among India’s top 10 Handloom Villages—an honor announced virtually by former Union Minister Smriti Irani.

Women Weaving Dreams

Local women like spend their winters weaving pattus on handlooms. “It takes three days to make one pattu,” they say, “and it sells for ₹3,000 to ₹8,000. We’ve been doing this since childhood, and now other women in the village are joining in.”

A Village Transformed

Since its recognition, Sharan has seen a wave of change. The Weaver Service Center, run by the Ministry of Textiles, now trains young artisans and showcases their work to visiting tourists. Junior weaver notes that the village is attracting more visitors, and regular training camps are helping expand the craft.

In the past five years, 30 villagers have been trained, and looms have been distributed. Seventeen artisans received financial support to build work sheds, and a warp weaving machine was installed to ease production.

A Community Effort

With 98 homes and a population of 423, Sharan is a close-knit community where most women weave daily. The village panchayat has played a key role in supporting these efforts.

To welcome tourists and promote local products, a three-story multipurpose building was constructed. The ground floor houses looms for visitor training, the second floor features a cozy café, the third floor serves as a showroom, and the top floor is a library. Managed by a village committee, this space has become a hub for cultural exchange and economic growth.

Global Reach, Local Pride

In December 2024, MP Kangana Ranaut inaugurated the building, celebrating the village’s achievements. Artisans like proudly share that their products now reach over 30 countries. “This is our ancient art,” they say, “and we’re working hard to keep it alive with the government’s support.”