From UP's Zardozi to Bihar's Sujani: 10 legacy embroideries from different Indian states

In today’s world, where machines make most of our clothes, India’s hand embroideries still have something special about them. They remind us of the time when clothes were made slowly, with care and love.

Every part of India has its own embroidery style– each one looks different, uses different materials, and tells its own story.

These designs aren’t just about fashion. They’re about people, their culture, and the amazing skills passed down through generations. Let’s take a look at ten beautiful embroidery styles from across India that are still admired and loved today.

Image: Canva

Zardozi means “gold work” and started in Uttar Pradesh. It’s known for its rich and royal look. Skilled workers use gold and silver threads to make beautiful designs on fabrics like silk and velvet. Long ago, it was made only for kings and queens, but now it’s also used in bridal and festive clothes. Its shiny and detailed work makes Zardozi special even today.
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Image: Canva

Parsi Gara from Gujarat is known for its neat and delicate work. The designs usually show flowers, birds, and nature, made with tiny stitches and fine details. It’s mostly done on dark fabric using white or light-coloured threads, which makes it look very pretty. This embroidery takes a lot of time and patience, and that’s what makes Parsi Gara so elegant and special.
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Image: Pinterest (Direct Create)

Sujani embroidery from Bihar may look simple, but it has a special charm of its own. It’s made with small running stitches called kantha. First, the design is drawn on cotton or silk fabric. Then, the outlines are stitched in dark colours like black or brown, and the inside is filled with bright threads. After that, the cloth is cleaned and ironed.
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Image: Pinterest (Holly Norris)

Aari embroidery comes from Kutch in Gujarat. It is made using a small hooked needle, which helps create tiny chain stitches. These stitches form designs like flowers, birds, and peacocks. Many times, beads and sequins are added for decoration. Aari work is very detailed and looks graceful, which is why it is often used in bridal and festive clothes.
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Image: Pinterest (Nisha Panchal)

Phulkari means “flower work” in Punjabi. It is a bright and colourful embroidery made with silk threads on thick cotton or khadi fabric. The designs are mostly flowers and geometric patterns. Long ago, women used to make Phulkari dupattas and shawls for brides in the family. Even today, the same designs are used on suits, keeping Punjab’s cheerful tradition alive.
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Image: Pinterest (AestheticCollectibles)

Gota Patti is one of Rajasthan’s most famous embroidery styles. It uses thin pieces of gold or silver ribbon that are stitched on fabrics like chiffon and georgette. The designs are first drawn and then sewn carefully by hand. Earlier, this art was made only for royal families, but now, it is loved by everyone for weddings and festivals. The shiny Gota Patti work gives every outfit a royal touch.


Image: Pinterest (Sonia)

Toda embroidery, locally known as Pugur, is made by the Toda tribe in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. It’s done on thick white cotton cloth using red and black wool threads. The designs are created by carefully counting the threads, which makes them look neat and even. Most patterns are inspired by flowers and nature. Toda embroidery is usually worn during weddings and other special community occasions.
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Image: Pinterest (Bhumi Vagadiya)

Tilla embroidery from Kashmir is famous for its beautiful gold and silver thread work. Skilled artisans stitch shiny threads on fabric to create detailed and eye-catching designs. It takes a lot of time and patience to make, but the result is truly stunning. Tilla work is often used on shawls, suits, and wedding outfits and is loved for its rich and royal look.
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Image: Pinterest (Aditi Oberoi)

Chamba Rumal from Himachal Pradesh is special because it looks like a painting made with a needle. It’s done on soft muslin cloth and often shows scenes from old stories or legends. The stitches are made so neatly that both sides of the fabric look the same. Fine silk threads are used to fill the designs, giving the cloth a smooth and shiny look. Every Chamba Rumal beautifully tells a story through its embroidery.
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Image: Pinterest (Sana Khan)

Kasuti embroidery from Karnataka is known for its fine and careful handwork. It’s made without any knots, so both sides of the cloth look the same. The designs often show temples, palanquins, and other traditional patterns. Each piece takes thousands of tiny stitches to complete. Kasuti is one of the most detailed and precise embroidery styles in India.
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Image: Pinterest (Paras)