Noor-E-Ajrakh

Ajrakh Sarees Online

About this collection ▼

Ajrakh is a 4,000-year-old hand block printing craft from Kutch, Gujarat — every saree is resist-dyed with natural indigo and madder through 16+ stages. Our Noor-E-Ajrakh collection features authentic ajrakh modal silk sarees, including intricate mirror work pieces, printed by master artisans. Curious about the craft? Read where ajrakh comes from and how ajrakh differs from kalamkari. COD available, extra 5% off prepaid.

Buying an Ajrakh saree: what you are paying for

Ajrakh is a resist-dye hand block print from Kutch in Gujarat, printed for generations by the Khatri community. One saree passes through around sixteen stages of washing, block printing with hand-carved wooden blocks, resist and natural dyeing in indigo and madder, and takes two to three weeks to finish. That is why genuine Ajrakh costs what it does, and why a ₹1,200 "Ajrakh" is almost always a screen print.

Our Noor-E-Ajrakh line is hand block printed on modal silk. Modal silk falls closer to the body than cotton Ajrakh and carries a soft sheen, so the craft works for festive days and evenings, not only for daytime.

StyleDetailDesignsPrice
Ajrakh hand block print, modal silkButi, star trellis, jaal and geometric repeats in indigo, madder red, black and ivory6₹5,797
Ajrakh mirror work, modal silkThe same printed base, with mirrors stitched on by hand afterwards5₹7,497
Block print on kota doriaBlack-and-white checks on an open, airy kota weave1₹3,397

Every saree is 5.5 metres and comes with a blouse piece.

How to tell real Ajrakh from a print

  • Turn it over. Traditional Ajrakh is printed on both sides, so the pattern shows on the reverse. A screen print leaves the back pale.
  • Look where the blocks meet. Small shifts in alignment are the mark of a hand block. Perfectly even repeats mean a machine.
  • Read the colour. Indigo and madder look deep and slightly uneven. Flat electric blue or neon orange is chemical dye.
  • Check the price. Below about ₹1,200 the labour doesn't add up.

The full checklist, with questions to ask a seller, is in how to buy an authentic Ajrakh saree.

Wearing and caring for it

Dry clean the first time. After that, hand wash separately in cold water without soaking, and iron on medium heat with no steam directly on the print. For blouse colours, jewellery and drapes, see how to style an Ajrakh saree. For the history, start with where Ajrakh comes from and how it differs from Kalamkari and block print.

Ajrakh saree questions

What is an Ajrakh saree?

An Ajrakh saree is printed with Ajrakh, a resist-dye hand block printing craft from Kutch in Gujarat, also practised in Barmer, Rajasthan, and in Sindh. Artisans print the cloth with hand-carved wooden blocks and dye it in stages, traditionally in indigo and madder, which gives Ajrakh its deep blue, red, black and ivory geometric patterns.

Which state is Ajrakh from?

Gujarat. Ajrakh is centred in Kutch district, mainly in Ajrakhpur village, which Khatri families built after the 2001 earthquake damaged the older centre at Dhamadka. It is also printed in Barmer in Rajasthan, and across the border in Sindh, where the craft shares its roots.

Why are Ajrakh sarees expensive?

Genuine Ajrakh takes around sixteen stages of printing, resist and dyeing, and two to three weeks per saree, using hand-carved blocks and natural dyes. At Muralika, hand block printed modal silk Ajrakh costs ₹5,797, and mirror work Ajrakh ₹7,497 because the mirrors are then stitched on by hand.

How can I tell if an Ajrakh saree is real?

Check the back first: traditional Ajrakh is printed on both sides, so the pattern shows on the reverse. Then look for small misalignments where blocks meet, deep but uneven natural colours rather than neon tones, and a price that reflects the labour. A ₹1,200 "Ajrakh" is almost always a screen print.

What is the difference between cotton and modal silk Ajrakh?

Cotton is the traditional base: crisp, breathable and best for daytime. Modal silk is lighter and more fluid, with a soft sheen, so it drapes closer to the body and suits festive and evening wear. Muralika's Ajrakh sarees are modal silk, plus one block print on kota doria.

Does an Ajrakh saree come with a blouse piece?

Yes. All our Ajrakh sarees are 5.5 metres and include a blouse piece, so you can have a blouse stitched in the same print. Shipping is free across India and cash on delivery is available.

How do I wash an Ajrakh modal silk saree?

Dry clean it the first time. After that, hand wash separately in cold water without soaking, dry in the shade and iron on medium heat, keeping steam off the print.