Skip to content
  • Collections
        • Pure Pashmina

        • Kani Weaves

        • Kalamkari

        • Ari Embroidery

        • Sozni Embroidery

        • Unstitched Suits

        • Men

        • Classic Shawls

        • Spring/Summer

        • Zari Shimmers

        • Luxurious Silks

        • Casual Scarves

        • Phirans & Kashmiri Wear

        • Contemporary Fashion

        • Ikat Weaves

        • Silk Dupattas

        • Bed Linen

        • Decorative Cushions

        • Reversible Shawls

        • Border Work Shawls

        • Casual Printed Stoles

        • Unisex Pieces

        • Hand Beaded Wraps

        • Jaamavar Handbags

  • Women
        • Causal Scarves

        • Luxury Stoles

        • Exclusive Shawls

        • Phirans & Kashmiri Wear

        • Unstiched Suits

  • Men
        • Exclusive Shawls

        • Luxury Stoles

  • Gift Ideas
        • Gifts for Her

        • Gifts for Him

        • Gifts to Elders

        • Gifts for the Home

        • Felicitation Shawls

        • Wedding Gifts

        • Corporate Gifting

        • Festive Gifting

  • More
        • About Us

        • FAQ

        • Contact Us

        • My KCS

        • Blogs

        • Return Order

        • Wholesale

Kcsshop
Home
Category
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blogs
  • Wholesale
  • Return Order
  • My KCS
  • FAQ
  • Instagram Facebook Youtube X Pinterest

Our Categories

History of Shawls, Pashmina Shawl, Seasonal

The Fashion Traditions of Shawls in India

Written By Anup Kumar

Posted on March 17, 2022 - 5 min read
thumbnail-img

On this Page

India is a land of diverse cultural heritage. Diverse heritage means diverse clothes. And the point among that range that catches every eye is a shawl. A shawl is a loose rectangular piece of fabric that is draped over the shoulders or head. These garments are originally meant to be used in winters to keep warm from the cold. But they also it serves and symbolizes many other traditions in India.

Traditional shawls worn in India

They Make Amazing Gifts

The shawl is a free-size fabric that suits all. There is a lot more to them. The work and thought put behind making each shawl are unique as well as amazing. Owing to their unique designs, color, and work, they not only keep warm but also make a style statement. Being a fabric that symbolizes love and respect, it delivers the perfect message and makes a great gift.

A gift basket of pashmina shawls

The Fabric of Honor

It’s a new age, but the respect for our traditions stays ancient. It is believed in our culture that an individual who is engrossed in selflessly working for the upliftment of others, is truly worthy of felicitation. It is a practice to honor them with a shawl as a mark of respect and gratitude. The shawl is presented either by giving by hand finely or by wrapping it around their neck respectfully. Being one of the richest pieces of fabric, it is a result of extreme skills and a traditional legacy, making a shawl the highest form of veneration.

yarns obtained after processing wool from changthangi goats

Festivities, Rituals, and Ceremonies

The most exciting part of traditions in India is its festivals. Distinct cultures that are different from each other co-exist together in a single country and that accounts for the huge number of festivals that exist. This means the use of beautiful clothes, and that’s where the shawls come in. Paired with any outfit, the shawl gives a statement to the outfit- not only in the fashion sense but also in the traditional sense.

Shawls worn in festivities, rituals and ceremonies

Traditional shawls hold traditional importance in Indian culture. Priests and pandits wear them while performing holy rituals, be it a festival, a function, or a religious ceremony.

The shawl is seen as a prestige clothing and is used in wedding rituals in many parts of the country. Not only does it add beauty to the attire, but symbolizes an ancient meaning. Embroidered with elegance, it has become a part of the ceremonies since the time of the ancestors. The significance of giving or dressing the shawl on the forehead of the bride means that she’s being given the responsibility of protecting the dignity and respect of her home as well as of the one she is married into.

From holding a traditional value to enhancing the fashion sense, the shawl in all aspects is a fabric of pride for India.

Anup Kumar

Anup Kumar

Editor

Prev :
Prev: Shawls Must Pass Through a Ring – Busting Myths
Next :
Next: What Makes KCS Different when there are so many shawls on Amazon under ₹1000?

Featured on KCS

Logo Khub Chand Sawhney’s (KCS) Kashmir Shawl Emporium, was established in 1950. Over the years we have gained the reputation of being the premier retailer of Kashmiri garments and handicrafts in India. Besides shawls, stoles, and scarves we are also known for our collections in Kashmiri sarees, jackets, suits and bed linen. Estd. 1950 Payments
Quick Links
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Blogs
  • Wholesale
HELP
  • FAQ
  • Refund & Cancellation
  • Shipping Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Registered Office
  • Khub Chand Sawhneys
    94, M.M, Janpath Road, New Delhi-110001
    Mobile/WhatsApp :- +919810201838
Contact us
  • [email protected]
Social Links

Popular Searches

Gift Ideas :

  • Festive Gifting
  • Mother's Day Gift Ideas
  • Gifts for Her
  • Gifts for Him
  • Gifts to Elders
  • Wedding Gifts
  • Festive Gifting
  • Corporate Gifting
  • Felicitation Shawls
  • Gifts for the Home
  • Birthday Present For Grandfather

Collections :

  • Casual Printed Stoles
  • Spring / Summer
  • Shawls for Wedding Milni
  • Haldi Ceremony Wear
  • Luxuries Under 5000
  • Sangeet Party Reccos
  • Wedding Day Elegance
  • Pure Pashmina
  • Kani Weaves
  • Ari Embroidery
  • Sozni Embroidery
  • Contemporary Fashion
  • Ikat Weaves
  • Phirans
  • Hand Beaded Wraps
  • Silk Dupattas
  • Unisex Pieces
  • Luxurious Silks
  • Double Side Aksi Embroidery
  • Jackets
  • Classic Paisleys
  • Ponchos
  • Bed Linen
  • Decorative Cushions
  • Jaamavar Handbags
  • Kalamkari
  • Zari Shimmers
  • Border Work Shawls
  • Classic Shawls
  • Raj Durbar Baraat Shawls
  • Reversible Shawls

Pure Pashmina :

  • Original Pashmina Shawl

Kalamkari :

  • Pashmina Kalamkari Shawl

Men :

  • Men's Pashmina Shawls
  • Exclusive Shawls
  • Luxury Stoles

Women :

  • Pashmina Shawl for Women
  • Luxury Stoles
  • Exclusive Shawls
  • Phirans & Kashmiri Wear
  • Unstitched Suits
  • Casual Scarves
  • Dressing Gown
  • Stoles for Women

Luxury Stoles :

  • Stoles For Women

Casual Scarves :

  • Silk Scarf For Women

Copyright © 2025, Inc. All rights reserved.

Refund and Cancellation
Return

We offer hassle free returns! You can return your order within 7 days of receipt. We request you to initiate returns for unused pieces only. Your money will be refunded in the original form of payment, except COD orders which will be returned via bank transfer!

All items to be returned must be unused and in their original condition with all original tags and packaging intact and should not be broken or tampered with.

Please note this does not apply to international orders. Due to difficulties in generating returns pickups, reverse duties and taxes on import international orders cannot be returned.

Cancellation

Please write to us or call us immediately if you have placed an order by mistake. An order which is not dispatched can certainly by stopped and if payment is made, refunded to you without any hassle!

Please note this does not apply to international orders. International orders once shipped cannot be stopped or cancelled.

View All
Select your currency
INR Indian rupee
USD United States (US) dollar
CAD Canadian dollar
EUR Euro
AUD Australian dollar
GBP Pound sterling
JPY Japanese yen
AED United Arab Emirates dirham
NOK Norwegian krone
NZD New Zealand dollar
BDT Bangladeshi taka
Image

It's added to your Wishlist!

You can find your Wishlist in your My Account space and modify it

Item removed from wishlist!

View Wishlist

Your cart

Tribal Geometry Merino Print Stole - Tulum Teal
Tribal Geometry Merino Print Stole - Tulum Teal
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £26 £26

Noor Jaal Kani Shawl - Sunflower Gold
Noor Jaal Kani Shawl - Sunflower Gold

1 x £27 £27

Dhaaj Dor Kani Wool Shawl - Blanc
Dhaaj Dor Kani Wool Shawl - Blanc
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £43 £43

Raheel Reversible Kani Wool Shawl - Hazel, Offwhite
Raheel Reversible Kani Wool Shawl - Hazel, Offwhite

1 x £28 £28

Baraat Border Reversible Shawl – Firozi, Navy
Baraat Border Reversible Shawl – Firozi, Navy

2 x £28 £55

Blossom Petals Silky Stole - Aqua Rose
Blossom Petals Silky Stole - Aqua Rose

1 x £7 £7

Badaam Ambi Sozni Jamawar Stole - Rust Black
Badaam Ambi Sozni Jamawar Stole - Rust Black
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £271 £271

Red & Sage Ikat Cushion and Pillow [2 Each, Set of 4]
Red & Sage Ikat Cushion and Pillow [2 Each, Set of 4]
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £26 £26

Shibori Woven Wool Ruana Cape - Indigo
Shibori Woven Wool Ruana Cape - Indigo

1 x £30 £30

Merino Wool Reversible Throw - Myrtle Green and Magenta Pink
Merino Wool Reversible Throw - Myrtle Green and Magenta Pink
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £43 £43

Badaam Jaal Kani Weave Doshala - Imperial Black
Badaam Jaal Kani Weave Doshala - Imperial Black
Only 2 Left In Stock

2 x £62 £123

Chashme Bulbul Handloom Pure Pashmina Mens Shawl - Natural White
Chashme Bulbul Handloom Pure Pashmina Mens Shawl - Natural White
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £308 £308

Ikatara Floral Printed Pashmina Stole - Latte Beige
Ikatara Floral Printed Pashmina Stole - Latte Beige
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £99 £99

Baraat Dor Kani Shawl - Evening Blue
Baraat Dor Kani Shawl - Evening Blue

2 x £42 £84

Dusty Pink Wool Hand Beaded Stole
Dusty Pink Wool Hand Beaded Stole

1 x £22 £22

Oriental Paisley Pillow, Blush Pink [Set of 2]
Oriental Paisley Pillow, Blush Pink [Set of 2]
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £11 £11

Contour Ikat Weave Wool Mens Shawl - Mumbai Multi
Contour Ikat Weave Wool Mens Shawl - Mumbai Multi

1 x £47 £47

Midnight Stars Glitter Threads Wool Scarf - Grey
Midnight Stars Glitter Threads Wool Scarf - Grey

1 x £16 £16

Les Grand Fleurs Wool Stole - Paint Red
Les Grand Fleurs Wool Stole - Paint Red
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £26 £26

Chinardar Mens Shawl with Zari Border - Fawn, Multi
Chinardar Mens Shawl with Zari Border - Fawn, Multi

1 x £62 £62

Jashn-e-Doshaala - Kani Weave Mens Shawl - Beige, Multi
Jashn-e-Doshaala - Kani Weave Mens Shawl - Beige, Multi

1 x £86 £86

Paisley Palla Handloom Pashmina Shawl - Rangrez Multi
Paisley Palla Handloom Pashmina Shawl - Rangrez Multi
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £739 £739

Jalaal Kani Antique Wool Shawl - Surkh Red
Jalaal Kani Antique Wool Shawl - Surkh Red

1 x £49 £49

Bada Badaam Palla Zari Pashmina Shawl - Black White
Bada Badaam Palla Zari Pashmina Shawl - Black White
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £788 £788

Chand Phool Jama Aksi Pashmina Shawl
Chand Phool Jama Aksi Pashmina Shawl
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £9,856 £9,856

Paisley Fusion Hand Bead Wrap - Aurora Multi
Paisley Fusion Hand Bead Wrap - Aurora Multi

1 x £22 £22

Fleur Fantasy Cotton Stole - Peach
Fleur Fantasy Cotton Stole - Peach
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £11 £11

Baraat Border Reversible Shawl – Maroon, Red
Baraat Border Reversible Shawl – Maroon, Red

1 x £28 £28

Dégrade Crystals Merino Wool Stole - Lemon Chrome
Dégrade Crystals Merino Wool Stole - Lemon Chrome
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £25 £25

Full Blossom Pashmina Print Stole - Roorkee Red
Full Blossom Pashmina Print Stole - Roorkee Red
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £99 £99

Durbar Palla Kalamkari Mens Shawl -  Carmine Maroo2
Durbar Palla Kalamkari Mens Shawl - Carmine Maroo2

1 x £185 £185

Black & Rust Teardrop Paisley Cushion and Pillow [2 Each, Set of 4]
Black & Rust Teardrop Paisley Cushion and Pillow [2 Each, Set of 4]
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £26 £26

Handloom Pure Pashmina Jamawar Mens Shawl - Toosh
Handloom Pure Pashmina Jamawar Mens Shawl - Toosh
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £4,066 £4,066

Rhomb Kani Shawl with Zari  - White, Multi
Rhomb Kani Shawl with Zari - White, Multi
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £36 £36

Merino Wool Sofa Throw - Jazz Red & Black
Merino Wool Sofa Throw - Jazz Red & Black

1 x £43 £43

Phool Boota Handloom Pashmina Shawl - Taupe, Offwhite
Phool Boota Handloom Pashmina Shawl - Taupe, Offwhite
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £493 £493

Handloom Pashmina Guldasta Palla Shawl -  Multi, Ivory
Handloom Pashmina Guldasta Palla Shawl - Multi, Ivory
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £616 £616

Madras Check Pure Wool Mens Shawl - White, Sand
Madras Check Pure Wool Mens Shawl - White, Sand

1 x £41 £41

Poshkar Jama Ari Wool Stole- Siya, Multi
Poshkar Jama Ari Wool Stole- Siya, Multi
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £141 £141

Cherry Trees Floral Cotton Stole - Multi
Cherry Trees Floral Cotton Stole - Multi
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £13 £13

Whispers of Bloom Linen Stole - Dandelion Yellow
Whispers of Bloom Linen Stole - Dandelion Yellow
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £20 £20

Les Grand Fleurs Wool Stole - Cloud, Apricot
Les Grand Fleurs Wool Stole - Cloud, Apricot
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £26 £26

Leena Kalamkari Wool Shawl - Fawn Multi
Leena Kalamkari Wool Shawl - Fawn Multi
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £246 £246

Mini Motifs Merino Wool Twill Mens Scarf - Sport Orange
Mini Motifs Merino Wool Twill Mens Scarf - Sport Orange
Only 1 Left In Stock

1 x £18 £18

Max 250 Characters

You Might Love

ImageVintage Mughal Merino Wool Blanket Shawl – Black MultiImageVintage Mughal Merino Wool Blanket Shawl – Black Multi
Add to cart

Vintage Mughal Merino Wool Blanket Shawl – Black Multi

£46
product

Vintage Mughal Merino Wool Blanket Shawl - Black Multi

45.65£

Add to cart
ImageMadras Check Pure Wool Mens Shawl – Navy BeigeImageMadras Check Pure Wool Mens Shawl – Navy BeigeImageMadras Check Pure Wool Mens Shawl – Navy Beige
Add to cart

Madras Check Pure Wool Mens Shawl – Navy Beige

£41
product

Madras Check Pure Wool Mens Shawl – Navy Beige

40.656£

Add to cart
ImagePhool Palla Chanderi Unstitched Suit – TurquoiseImagePhool Palla Chanderi Unstitched Suit – TurquoiseImagePhool Palla Chanderi Unstitched Suit – Turquoise
Add to cart

Phool Palla Chanderi Unstitched Suit – Turquoise

£68
product

Phool Palla Chanderi Unstitched Suit - Turquoise

68.145£

Add to cart
ImageYara Dordaar Kani Weave Shawl – Imperial BlackImageYara Dordaar Kani Weave Shawl – Imperial BlackImageYara Dordaar Kani Weave Shawl – Imperial BlackImageYara Dordaar Kani Weave Shawl – Imperial Black
Add to cart

Yara Dordaar Kani Weave Shawl – Imperial Black

£42
product

Yara Dordaar Kani Weave Shawl - Imperial Black

41.888£

Add to cart

Cart totals

Subtotal £19,027
Total £19,027
Proceed to checkout
Checkout Add More Item