Handloom Village tag opens new income avenues for Sharan artisans

Sharan is a small village in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India.

The people there are famous for weaving warm cloth like pattu, shawls, caps and mufflers.

In 2020, the government gave Sharan a special title called 'Handloom Village'.

Only 11 villages in the whole country got this title.

Because Sharan has traditional wooden Kath-Kuni houses and many weavers, it was chosen.

The honour helps the village blend craft production with rural tourism.

Now the weavers can sell what they make instead of only making things for their own families.

This gives them extra money, especially for women.

In other parts of Himachal Pradesh, this craft is disappearing because there are few artisans.

Sharan shows that handloom weaving can still survive.