The saree has very old history and existed in the Indian sub continent since last 5000 years. As the oldest Indian scriptures like the Vedas also mention the existence of the saree, in that period.

In the same way cotton is being used for creation of fabric since ages, many proofs are there which establish the existence of cotton fabric at the time of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro which itself dates back to approximately 3000 BC. Since very old time the expert spinners were able to spin very fine cotton yarns in India, which enabled the weavers to create quality cotton fabrics, which included sarees also.

The cotton sarees are created in many styles which vary from state to state of the India. The better known centers for the production of fine cotton sarees are in Bengal, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh and Uppada, Mangalagiri and Venkatagiri in Andhra Pradesh. Few of the famous types of cotton sarees are mentioned below for your ready reference:

Bandhej- from the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan
Chikan – from Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh
Kota Doria - from the state of Rajasthan
Shalu - from Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh
Kantha Stich- from the state of West Bengal
Baluchari - from the state of West Bengal
Chanderi - from the state of Madhya Pradesh
Paithani - from the state of Maharashtra
Lugade - from the state of Maharashtra
Batik - from the state of Orissa
Pochampalli- from the state of Andhra Pradesh
Dhakai - from Dhaka of Bangladesh
Tangail - From Tangail of Bangladesh

The cotton sarees are very popular in the south Asian countries especially in the Indian sub continent. The cotton sarees according to the types mentioned above are mostly handloom woven, and for creating the designs mainly cotton or silk threads are used, sometimes pounded gold and silver into thread (zari) is also used. The Chikan and the kantha Stitch are mainly the type of embroidery, bandhej is also a form of tie and dye technique.

The cotton sarees provide great comfort in the summer and the rainy seasons prevailing in the subcontinent. There is only one drawback present with the cotton sarees and that it requires hard work for upkeep and maintenance which includes washing, starching and ironing before the storage. But everybody forgets the hard work when it adds elegance and gorgeousness to the personality.

It can be safely said for the cotton sarees that it has a very bright future as it had a glorious past.