Tag Archives: Handcrafted woolen scarves

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories: The Gift of Valley

Kullu Manali is the most famous and favorite holiday spot among tourists or travelers to Himachal. The Kullu valley’s natural beauty binds one with its peace and aura. The views, temples, parks, trek, apple orchards, snow-capped mountains in the valley are picturesque and represent a true picture of tranquillity. Apart from this one can experience and be part of the handicraft paradise too. Yes! I am talking about BHUTTICO Kullu shawls and accessories.

Bhuttico Kullu Shwals & Accessories - gift of Kullu valley

What is Bhuttico?

Bhuttico stands for Bhutti weavers Cooperative Society Ltd of Kullu. It was set up in 1944 in the remote village of beautiful Himalayas by 12 weavers from Bhutti village. Bhuttico cooperative society is the one cooperation with its own weaving shed and housing colony. The colony is equipped with all facilities for its workers and the workplace provides the best benefits to its workers including pension, gratuity.

Bhuttico Kullu Store
Source – www. http://wikimapia.org/

The Bhuttico cooperation has more than 700 weavers on its rolls.  It  maintains all the quality parameters while manufacturing and testing. Bhuttico stores are present both nationally and internationally and they sell their  product under the name and trademark of Bhuttico.

This society is an inspiration; as it focuses on weaver’s welfare along with safeguarding the local artistic craft.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories

There is an extensive range of neutral as well as colorful handmade and loom weaved Bhuttico garments. The first one and most famous is-

Kullu shawls & Stoles

The variety of shawls at Bhuttico store ranged from traditional Kullvi to modern designs. They were available in Pashmina, angora, merino and local sheep wool. The pure Pashmina shawls were in light shades ranging from Rs. 4500 – Rs 6000; whereas all other varieties of Kullu shawls and stoles were available in bright, dark, light colors as well as embroidered patterns. The price ranged from Rs. 600 – Rs 1500. I personally liked the stoles for their colors, designs, and material. They were soft, light as well as warm and I ended up buying 4 -5 pieces.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawl Variety
Bhuttico Kullu Shawls

Kullu Doru & Pattu

These are the local traditional Himachali dresses awesomely colorful. Tourists often get themselves dressed in these for pictures.

Kullu Caps, gloves & woolen socks 

Kullu caps is the another attraction. The variety include Kullvi, Lahauli, Kinnauri, and Malana. I could make out the slight difference in all these caps categories but all of them were super colorful and warm. The price for all caps ranged from Rs 200 –Rs 350/-. The woolen socks and gloves too available were colorful, handmade and loom weaved. The price for these ranged from Rs 150 – Rs 200 (I am not joking).

Bhuttico Kullu Woolen Caps, gloves

Kullu Ties, Mufflers & Scarves

The ties available at Kullu Bhuttico showroom were in a solid color, wool material, and self-prints. The other option was in typical Kullvi design. On average, the price ranged between Rs 200 – Rs 350/-. Mufflers for men and scarves for women also were also available in different varieties of wool and designs. The price for these scarves and mufflers varied from Rs 200 – Rs 1000/.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls
My Bhuttico Collection

Kullu Pullas

Pullas are the grass slippers used by Himachali women in Kitchen. The base is made with the fiber procured from the bark of a bush called cannabis (Bhang) and the upper part with goat hair which is further decorated with colorful threads. They are considered to be warm and comfortable. I loved them and brought these. Price for the same ranges from Rs 100 – 150/-.

Kullu Pullas
Source – http://www.bhutticoshawl.com/

Sleeveless Nehru Jacket & Woolen Shirts

The other garments included sleeveless Nehru jacket and woolen shirts available in different sizes and colors. The pure wool fabric for stitching can also be brought and I brought a piece for a shirt.

Handbags

The other small but awesome collection was of handbags and clutches in wool fabric and Himachali patti designs. This simple clutch with any attire will give it is a fashion blend and the price for same ranged from Rs 500 – 1000/-.

Bhuttico Kullu Accessories
Source – www.bhutticoshawl.com

Where to Shop Bhuttico Kullu Shawls and accessories

Bhuttico Kullu garments and accessories can be purchased both from online and offline stores. There are in total 31 offline stores and the majority of them are in Himachal. For online shopping, one can buy here.

What to consider before shopping Kullu Shawls and accessories

To purchase authentic Bhuttico Kullu products, check the “Handloom mark” as well as the GI patent tag. Check these marks here in the picture.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawl Trademark
Source: http://farbound.net/

So, it is worth treating yourself, your friends and relatives with these warm gifts from Kullu valley.

From Kullu Manali, you can head for the most adventurous road trips. Check the itinerary for Leh Ladakh road trip and Lahaul Spiti road trip.

Shimla trip in style with Dhatu as a fashion accessory

The Shimla town, constructed by Britishers on mountainscapes, seems like colorful dots during the day and glittering “diyas” during the night to me. In fact, the ethereal beauty of whole Himachal attracts me with its new colors and culture. I have done Shimla trip many times and every time its picturesque landscapes and culture introduced me to something new and this time it was a Himachali head scarf Dhatu also known as Rahide. In winters amid cold breeze and bright sunshine, the local people are seen dressed up in colorful clothes with dhatu which makes the whole town colorful.

Shimla Trip in style with Dhatu as a fashion accessory

The colorful Dhatu/ Rahide during Shimla Trip

The Dhatu is a 1-meter long colorful head scarf worn by Himachali women.  It protects the head from cold breeze and is a part of traditional attire at places. I bought myself one as a fashion accessory. The dhatu is mostly handcrafted and it comes in different fabrics, colors and patterns. The traditional one comes in crimson color with the golden fringes.

Fabric – The preferable fabric used for Dhatu is wool and there are further varieties of wool in it like Angora, pashmina, yak, sheep etc. The other types of fabrics used in Dhatu making are chiffon, cotton, silk, jacquard, georgette, velvet etc.

Shimla Trip in style with Dhatu as a fashion accessory

Designs & Patterns – The Dhatus come with colorful designs and prints, which depict the rich flora and fauna of the Himachal state. The most common were mythological images, floral patterns, fruits and random designs.

History of Dhatu

It is centuries old accessory; handcrafted by women. In upper Himachal women wear it as a part of culture especially when they visit their ancestral places. Some wear it to protect themselves from cold. Also heard a myth that it is also worn to protect men from seeing women’s hair as men get crazy seeing them.

How Dhatu is worn

It is extremely simple to wear Dhatu, just like a Bandana. The scarf is worn around the forehead and is knotted behind at the head. Else, you can also carry it as neck scarves. Their awesome prints and patterns can make any of your dress look bright.

Shimla Trip in style with dhatu as a fashion accessory

Maintenance of Dhatu

Dhatu in silk and georgette fabric should be dry cleaned whereas those of wool and cotton can be washed with the mild detergents. Don’t soak it for longer periods as they might lose some colors.

Price range

The price for this head accessory varies from 150- 1000 Rs. It completely depends upon the material and design. I bought this beautiful red colored woolen accessory in just 250 Rs. (Remember to bargain, if you can).

So, I added a one more bright colorful accessory to my collection during this Shimla trip and I wish to keep on traveling and adding more such amazing things each time.