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GI-Certified Kashmiri Pashmina

From the Looms
of Kashmir

Authentic handwoven luxury for discerning individuals and businesses. Each piece carries centuries of heritage, woven by master artisans in the Kashmir Valley.

Our Heritage

Centuries of Craft,
Woven by Hand

In the Kashmir Valley, where the Jhelum bends through Srinagar’s old city, a tradition older than the Mughal Empire still lives in the hands of master weavers. For over six hundred years, the Wovur has sat at the wooden Saaz, hands and feet moving like a pianist’s — tossing the shuttle, pressing the treadles, beating the weft into place.

The craft was brought to Kashmir by Sultan Zayn ul Abidin in the 15th century. The Mughal emperors wore Pashmina daily, gifting it as diplomatic currency. European traders carried Kashmiri shawls west, where the Paisley pattern — actually a Kashmiri keri motif — became the most sought-after textile design in history.

20 Hand Processes

from raw fleece to finished shawl — unchanged since the 15th century

Kashmiri artisan weaving Pashmina on a traditional Saaz handloom

15th C.

Origin of Craft

12km

Walking per Warp

1,200

Threads per Warp

Watch the Craft

Why Us

Why The Kashmir Weaver

In a market where 90% of “Pashmina” is counterfeit, we are your direct bridge to the real thing.

Direct from Artisans

No middlemen, no factories. Fair wages directly to the hands that weave your shawl.

GI-Certified Every Piece

Legally verified origin — Government of India Geographical Indication No. 46.

600+ Year Tradition

An unbroken lineage of craft, passed through generations since the 15th century.

For One or Five Hundred

The same exacting luxury standard — whether you order a single shawl or outfit an entire event.

600+

Years of Tradition

20+

Hand Processes

12–16

Micron Fibre Fineness

4,500m

Altitude of Origin

6–18

Months per Shawl

GI Certified

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION

No. 46

Authenticity Guaranteed

The GI Mark — Your Shield
Against Counterfeits

In a market flooded with imitations, the Geographical Indication tag is your guarantee that you’re holding a piece of living heritage — not a factory-made replica.

Legally Protected Origin

Registered under the GI Act of India (GI No. 46), certifying authentic Kashmiri origin.

100% Pure Pashm Fibre

Sourced exclusively from the Changthangi goat of Ladakh — fibres as fine as 12–16 microns.

Hand-Spun & Hand-Woven

Every thread is spun by hand on a yinder and woven on traditional wooden Saaz by master artisans.

Lab-Verified & Traceable

Each product is tested at PTQCC and certified, traceable back to the artisan who crafted it.

90%

of Pashmina sold globally is counterfeit

12–16μ

fibre diameter — finer than cashmere

200+

hours to hand-weave a single shawl

1

GI tag per region — ours is No. 46

In a world where 90% of what is sold as Pashmina is fake, the GI mark is the only truth.

THE KASHMIR WEAVER

The Craft

The Art of Pashmina

“Twenty ancient processes transform Himalayan fleece into the world’s most treasured cashmere fabric.”

12–16μm

Fibre Fineness

4,500m

Altitude of Origin

20+

Hand Processes

3–18mo

Per Shawl

Changthangi goats grazing at 4,500m in Ladakh
Master weaver at the traditional Saaz handloom
Master dyer hand-dyeing Pashmina yarn
01

The Source

At 4,500 metres on the Changthang plateau of Ladakh, nomadic herders tend the Changthangi goat. Each spring, the goat sheds its ultra-fine undercoat — the raw Pashm that becomes Pashmina.

02

Pashm

The Fibre

The undercoat is hand-combed — never sheared — and dehaired to separate 12–16 micron fibres from coarser guard hairs. Each goat yields only 80–170 grams per year.

03

Ranger

The Colour

The master dyer (Ranger) transforms raw pashm into over 50 vibrant, azo-free colours. Each shade is mixed by hand — no two dyers produce the exact same hue.

04

Yarun

The Warp

Over 1,200 warp threads are laid across the frame — a process requiring up to 12 kilometres of walking back and forth. The warp is the skeleton of every shawl.

05

Bharangur · Saaz

Dressing the Loom

The Bharangur threads each warp yarn through the heddles and reed of the wooden Saaz. A single error can cascade through the entire weave.

06

Prech

The Yarn

Weft yarn is wound onto small wooden Prech spindles. For Kani weaving, dozens of tiny bobbins are prepared — one for each colour in the pattern.

07

Wovur · Wonun

The Weaving

The Wovur sits at the Saaz, hands throwing the shuttle, feet pressing the treadles — like a pianist. A plain stole takes 3–4 days. A Kani shawl takes 12–18 months.

08

Chapangur

The Finishing

The woven shawl is washed in spring water, struck against smooth river stones for softness. The Chapangur stretches and dries it on a wooden frame.

09

Voste

The Final Touch

The Voste examines every inch for flaws. Fringes are hand-knotted. If destined for embroidery, the Naqash draws the design and the Rafugar begins months of needlework.

The weaver works like a pianist — simultaneously controlling foot pedals and hand shuttles, reading the pattern from memory.

Watch the Full Process

From raw Changthangi fleece to finished Pashmina — every hand process captured in a single film.

The Land That Weaves

Stories from Kashmir

From the snow peaks of Gulmarg to the looms of Srinagar — every thread carries the spirit of the valley.

The Collection

Discover the Collection

Our artisans craft hundreds of unique pieces each season — from pure solids to intricate Kani weaves and Sozni embroidery. Browse the latest via Instagram or request a personalized lookbook on WhatsApp.

50+ Colours·6 Craft Traditions·100% Handmade·GI Certified

@thekashmirweaver

Who We Serve

For Individuals & Businesses

For You

Own a Piece of Heritage

  • Handwoven luxury directly from artisan
  • Perfect personal indulgence or gift
  • Certificate of authenticity with every purchase
  • Premium heritage box packaging available
  • Worldwide shipping with tracking

Corporate Gifting

Custom branding, personalized messaging, and executive heritage box packaging for teams of any size.

Boutique Partnerships

Curated collections, dropship-friendly logistics, and flexible MOQs starting from 10 pieces.

Private Wealth Gifts

Bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces with white-glove service and certificate of authenticity.

Volume OrderingInternational FulfillmentCustom BrandingDedicated Account Manager

Bespoke & Custom

Made to Your Vision

Custom embroidery designs, colour and fibre selection, size and weight specification, private labelling, wedding and event orders — we bring your vision to life in genuine Kashmiri Pashmina.

Plain: 4–6 weeksEmbroidered: 8–16 weeksKani: up to 6 months

Trusted By

What Our Clients Say

I gifted a Sozni Pashmina to my mother for her 60th birthday. She hasn't stopped wearing it since — it's become her most treasured possession.

Priya M.

Individual Buyer, Mumbai

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We ordered 200 shawls in our brand colours for our leadership retreat. The quality was impeccable, and the heritage boxes made each gift feel truly personal.

Rahul S.

Head of HR, Tech Company

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The Kani weave I purchased is a work of art. Eighteen months of an artisan's life in one shawl — that's luxury you can feel.

Sarah L.

Private Client, London

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We stock The Kashmir Weaver's collection in our boutique. Our clients trust the GI certification and keep coming back.

Amara K.

Boutique Owner, Dubai

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The Pure Kashmir Journal

Stories from the Valley

The history, craft, and culture of Kashmiri Pashmina — written for those who want to understand what they are buying, and why it matters.

A Thoughtful Guide to Gifting Pashmina
Gift Guide

A Thoughtful Guide to Gifting Pashmina

There is a reason Pashmina has been gifted between royals, diplomats, and loved ones for six centuries. Here is how to choose the right one.

Read Article →5 min read

FAQ

Common Questions

Both come from goats, and the word "cashmere" derives from "Kashmir." True Pashmina uses fibre from the Changthangi goat of Ladakh, measuring 12–16 microns — significantly finer than commercial cashmere (18–22 microns). Pashmina is hand-spun and hand-woven; most cashmere is machine-processed. The result: Pashmina is warmer, softer, lighter, and lasts decades longer.

The only reliable proof is the GI mark — Geographical Indication No. 46, issued by the Government of India after lab testing at PTQCC in Srinagar. The popular "ring test" is a myth — many synthetics pass it. A burn test can confirm natural fibre, but only GI certification confirms it is specifically Changthangi Pashm. Every Kashmir Weaver piece carries this mark.

Over 20 hand processes: the fibre is hand-combed from Changthangi goats in Ladakh, dehaired, hand-spun, hand-dyed, and hand-woven on a wooden Saaz loom. After weaving, the shawl is washed in spring water and struck against river stones for softness. If embroidered, months or years of additional needlework follow. Zero machines at any stage.

Rarity and craft time. Each goat yields only 80–170g of raw fibre per year. A single shawl requires months of hand-processing. Kani weaving takes 12–18 months. Sozni embroidery takes 7–10 years to learn. Fewer than 900 active Kani weavers remain worldwide. You are paying for irreplaceable human skill and centuries of tradition.

Stole: 70×200cm · Shawl: 100×200cm · Large Square: 137×137cm · Oversized Wrap: 100×250–300cm. Custom sizes are available for bespoke orders.

Yes. We ship worldwide — USA, UK, Canada, Europe, UAE, Australia, and more. All shipments are tracked and insured.

Dry clean for best results. If hand washing: use lukewarm water with mild detergent, never wring or twist. Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight. Store folded in breathable fabric with cedar or lavender. Pashmina actually improves with age — it gets softer over decades.

Absolutely. Custom embroidery designs, colour selection, sizing, private labelling, and wedding/event orders are all available. Lead times: plain 4–6 weeks, embroidered 8–16 weeks, Kani up to 6 months.

A handcrafted walnut-wood case lined with silk, containing the shawl, GI certificate of authenticity, artisan story card, and (for corporate orders) custom branding and personalised messaging. It transforms a gift into an experience.

Three ways: browse our latest collection on Instagram (@thekashmirweaver), message us on WhatsApp (+91 979 610 5623), or fill out the inquiry form below. We'll guide you personally through selection, sizing, and customisation.

Get in Touch

Let’s Start a Conversation

Whether you’re looking for a single heirloom piece or outfitting an entire corporate event — we’re here to help.

Contact Details

Phone

+91 9796105623 / 9682132612

WhatsApp

Chat with us

Address

Ali Jan Complex, Lal Chowk,
Srinagar, J&K 190001

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