State Handloom Weavers’ Cooperatives of India – Buy Genuine Handloom Sarees and Traditional Textiles

Introduction

India’s handloom heritage is as diverse as its culture, with every state nurturing its own weaving traditions for centuries. To protect these crafts and the livelihoods of artisans, most states established handloom weavers’ cooperatives and corporations, much like Tamil Nadu’s famous Co-Optex. These organizations serve as trusted gateways for authentic sarees and textiles, ensuring that buyers get genuine handloom while weavers receive fair value for their work.

From Tantuja in West Bengal to Boyanika in Odisha, Mrignayanee in Madhya Pradesh, and Gurjari in Gujarat, each state cooperative reflects the identity of its region’s weaving legacy. For heritage travelers, these showrooms are more than shopping destinations — they are cultural institutions that preserve and promote India’s textile traditions.

This guide presents a state-by-state journey through India’s handloom cooperatives, offering travelers a reliable and enriching way to experience the soul of Indian weaving.

State Handloom Weavers’ Cooperatives of India

South India

Tamil Nadu – Co-Optex

  • Founded in 1935, one of India’s oldest and most successful cooperatives.
  • Famous for Kanchipuram silks, Chettinad cottons, Madurai Sungudi, Arani silks, and hand-painted Kalamkari.
  • Flagship stores in Egmore and T. Nagar (Chennai).
  • Website: cooptex.com

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana – APCO

  • Established in 1958, the Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society.
  • Known for Mangalagiri, Gadwal, Venkatagiri, Narayanpet, and Pochampally Ikat sarees.
  • Showrooms in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Tirupati.
  • Website: apcofabrics.com

Kerala – Hantex

  • Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation.
  • Preserves Balaramapuram Kasavu sarees, Settu Mundu, and handwoven cottons.
  • Stores across Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode.
  • Website: hantex.in

Karnataka – KHDC

  • Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation.
  • Specializes in Ilkal sarees, Molakalmuru silks, and Kasuti embroidery fabrics.
  • Outlets in Bengaluru, Hubli, Mysuru.

East India

West Bengal – Tantuja

  • Established in 1954, supports over 50,000 weavers.
  • Known for Tant, Jamdani, Baluchari, Tussar, and Kantha embroidery sarees.
  • Showrooms across Kolkata, including Esplanade and Gariahat.
  • Website: tantuja.in

Odisha – Boyanika

  • The Odisha State Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative.
  • Famous for Sambalpuri Ikat, Bomkai, Kotpad, Berhampuri silks.
  • Major showrooms in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri.
  • Website: boyanika.com

Bihar – Bihar State Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation

  • Promotes Bhagalpuri Tussar silk, cottons, and Madhubani-inspired textiles.
  • Showrooms in Patna and Bhagalpur.

North India

Uttar Pradesh – UP Handloom

  • Showcases Banarasi silks, Jamdani, and Lucknowi Chikan embroidery.
  • Stores in Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur.

Uttarakhand Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation – Weaves of the Himalayas

Punjab – Punjab State Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation

  • Specializes in Phulkari embroidery, khaddar, and wool shawls.
  • Stores in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh.

Madhya Pradesh – Mrignayanee

  • Established by MP Handloom Development Corporation.
  • Known for Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees, hand-block prints.
  • Major outlets in Bhopal, Indore, Khajuraho.
  • Website: mrignayanee.com

Rajasthan – Rajasthali

  • Rajasthan State Handloom Development Corporation.
  • Famous for Bandhani, Khadi, block-printed cottons, and woolen dhurries.
  • Stores in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur.

Gujarat – Gurjari

  • Gujarat State Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation.
  • Known for Patola silks, Bandhani, Tangaliya weaves, and embroidery textiles.
  • Showrooms in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara.

North-East India

Assam – ARTFED (Assam Apex Weavers’ & Artisans’ Coop Federation)

  • Specializes in Muga silk, Eri silk, Assam cotton sarees.
  • Stores in Guwahati and across Assam.

Nagaland – NHHDC (Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation)

  • Promotes tribal handwoven shawls, loin loom weaving.
  • Outlets in Kohima, Dimapur.

Tripura – Tripura Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation (THHDC)

  • Known for Risa cloth, handwoven tribal textiles.
  • Major showrooms in Agartala.

Meghalaya – Megha Emporium

  • Promotes Eri silk, tribal cotton textiles.
  • Showroom in Shillong.

West India & Himalayas

Maharashtra – Maharashtra State Handloom Corporation (MSHDC)

  • Known for Paithani, Himroo, Mashru, and Narayan Peth sarees.
  • Stores in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad.

Himachal Pradesh – Bhuttico

  • Founded in 1944, one of India’s oldest handloom co-ops.
  • Famous for Kullu shawls, stoles, and tweeds.
  • Showroom in Kullu and across Himachal.
  • Website: bhutticoshawls.com

Jammu & Kashmir – J&K Handloom Development Corporation

  • Specializes in Pashmina shawls, Kani weaves, and Kashmiri embroidery.
  • Stores in Srinagar, Jammu, Delhi.

✅ Conclusion

Every state in India has its own handloom cooperative or corporation. They are ideal for heritage travellers, because:

  1. They guarantee authenticity and protect buyers from imitations.
  2. They directly support weavers and artisans, sustaining livelihoods.
  3. They represent the unique weaving traditions of each state, from Kanchipuram to Jamdani, from Chanderi to Muga.
  4. They are heritage institutions in themselves, often running for 50–100 years.
  5. They make excellent, trustworthy shopping stops for heritage travelers