Jaypore Journeys, in collaboration with Breakaway, presents a curated journey to experience Central India’s textile traditions.
A first-hand experience of the rich textile legacy of Maheshwar and Bagh in Madhya Pradesh awaits you as you travel through dusty hamlets and obscure villages in the center-most part of India.
Get a first hand experience of the love, hard work, skill and artistry that go into the making of fabrics like the gossamer weaves of Maheshwar that are celebrated around the world.
This is the heart of India, where ancient temples with fine stone carvings and awe inspiring forts punctuate the lush green expanses of land, weaving villages create some of the finest fabrics for the world, while the river Narmada flows quietly past.
Experience the most appreciated of India’s textile traditions. Meet some fine craftsmen and connect with stories that have kept these traditions dating back to the 15th century, alive. Get set for an experience worth a thousand counts!
The story of the exquisite Maheshwari textile starts somewhere in the fifth century at Maheshwar, located in central India. And our journey begins there.
The Ahilya fort caresses the sacred Narmada river, previously home to Maheshwar’s Holkar Dynasty and still home to Richard Holkar. The looms of the Rehwa Society based here aim to revive the centuries-old hand weaving tradition of Maheshwar, and to improve the lives of Maheshwar's weavers by placing income directly into the hands of women weavers.
Visit WomenWeave, a trust dedicated to improving the livelihoods of rural women weavers, spend some time interacting with the team at their Gudi Mudi Centre, Gudi Mudi meaning ‘scrunched’ in Nimar, where textiles are woven from the yarns, using a spinning wheel which creates a twist and what they refer to as a ‘scrunch’. Try your hand on the looms as you hear their story.
Experience fine Indian hospitality and culinary delights at the Jhira Bagh Palace before weaving a conversation with legendary craftsman Suleman Khatri and his sons on their endeavors to keep the tradition of Bagh printing alive. Bagh prints are traditionally in white, red and black, and are offered in an array of fabrics including cotton. Observe repetitive dyeing, printing, washing, block making and printing techniques before trying your hand at traditional printing at the workshop in Bagh. Get a deeper look at their work and cultural norms that have kept their craftsmanship lineage alive for centuries.
At Mandu, lose yourself at the Jahaz Mahal Palace that appears to be a ship floating on water. The canals and pavilions display incredible design and the place resonates with the romance of the legendary Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati - the architects of the historical monuments of Mandu that still stand today.
On this journey, revel in time spent with traditional textile communities responsible for an exquisite line up of hand woven and block printed fashion textiles. Converse with the artisans themselves, traditional weavers and printers acting behind the scenes of some of India’s leading fashion houses.
Trip Dates:
Stay tuned for dates of the next Journey
How do we get to the location?
The best way to get to Hyderabad is to fly in from Bombay or Delhi. We can help you with flight bookings if need be. All travel within Telangana state for the 4 days is organised by us and built into costs.
What kind of accommodation is provided?
Great in terms of accessibility to the groups we want to visit, comfortable place to stay at, the property is in the heart of the city.
How do we book this breakaway?
Email us at journeys@jaypore.com with your details and we will call you back.
What if we are not coming from Delhi?
You could fly straight into Hyderabad from your city, or maybe a hopping flight via Delhi and we will make arrangements for you from there.
Will we get vegetarian food?
Yes, we can cater to vegetarians as well. Please do mention during booking or before travelling of the same.
FAQ's
How do we get to Maheshwar?
You need to reach Indore on your own by air or train. We can help you with flight bookings if need be. All travel from Indore is organised by us and built into costs.
What if we are not coming from Delhi or Mumbai?
You could fly straight into Indore from your city, or maybe a hopping flight via Delhi or Mumbai and we will make arrangements for you from there.
How do we go around Maheshwar and Bagh?
We will have our own car (vehicle type depends on the group size.) organised to take us around Maheshwar and Bagh for all visits and interactions.
What are we expected to bring?
We will circulate a travel advisory before you go on the trip. We will be walking around a lot, so bring comfortable walking shoes. Bring your camera for taking pictures. Please carry any medication you're specially suited to as well as cold and flu medication.
Will we get vegetarian food?
Yes, we can cater to vegetarians as well. Please do mention your preferences at the time of making your booking.
Is it safe to travel within Maheshwar and Bagh?
Yes it is. We work with partners who are sensitive to these issues and committed to ensuring our guests are safe and secure in knowing they're in good hands.
How do we book this breakaway?
Write to us at journeys@jaypore.com.
“I can still remember all the colours and experiences of our trip. We loved our direct interaction with the printers and weavers, (a high point) and do hope that it worked for them too, even if they are/were not used to it. The overall experience was positive and most 'special' was meeting the artisans, which is was what we've come away with.”
- Elizabeth Verghese, on her Textile & Craft Trail to Central India, February 2014.
