Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Sharan village weavers celebrate handloom revival as income source
In a small village called Sharan in Himachal Pradesh, India, people have been making clothes by hand for many generations.
A few years ago, in 2020, the government called Sharan a 'Handloom Village.'
That meant the government promised to help the village with its special craft.
Before that, families only made warm shawls and scarves for themselves.
Now they make shawls, stoles, caps, and mufflers to sell to visitors.
The government also gave them a shop and training to help them learn more.
Because of this, many women in the village are earning their own money.
Kids learn the craft when they are about 14 or 15 years old.
The weavers watch what tourists like and make things they will enjoy.
This helps keep the village's old tradition alive while giving people a way to earn money.
Sharan village in Himachal Pradesh was declared a Handloom Village by the Union Ministry of Textiles in 2020.
Nearly 95 per cent of the village's houses are built in the traditional Kath-Kuni architectural style, helping it meet the designation criteria.
Local artisans now produce pattu shawls, stoles, caps, mufflers and other woollen items for sale instead of only for household use.
Government support, including a shop provided under a self-help initiative and training, boosted business and increased employment opportunities for women.
Artisans learn handloom weaving around age 14-15, and many women now earn income through the craft while carrying forward tradition.
- Who
- Local artisans, particularly women, in Sharan village, Himachal Pradesh, with support from the Union Ministry of Textiles.
- What
- Sharan was declared a Handloom Village in 2020, boosting the production and sale of handwoven products and reviving traditional weaving.
- When
- Declared in 2020; the story was shared around National Handloom Day, observed on August 7.
- Where
- Sharan village, under Rumsu Panchayat near Naggar in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India.
- Why
- To create new livelihood opportunities, preserve the region's traditional weaving heritage, and promote financial independence for women.
- Village
- Sharan
- Location
- Rumsu Panchayat, near Naggar, Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh
- Designation
- Handloom Village, declared in 2020
- Designating body
- Union Ministry of Textiles
- Traditional Kath-Kuni houses
- Nearly 95 per cent of houses
- Products
- Pattu shawls, stoles, caps, mufflers, woollen items and crochet products
- Age of learning the craft
- Around 14-15 years old
- National Handloom Day
- August 7, commemorating the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905