Leheriya-Bandhej

About this collection ▼

Leheriya and bandhej sarees, hand-dyed the traditional Rajasthani way — wave patterns and tie-dye dots created knot by knot on flowing chiffon. From haldi yellows and rani pinks to indigo blues, every piece in this collection is dyed by hand, so no two sarees are exactly alike. Perfect for festivals, mehendi functions and summer celebrations. COD available, extra 5% off prepaid.

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Leheriya and bandhej: two Rajasthani tie-dye crafts

Both start with undyed cloth and thread. For leheriya, the dyer rolls the fabric on the diagonal, ties it at intervals and dips it, which leaves rippling diagonal stripes; lehar means wave. For bandhej, also called bandhani, tiny points of cloth are pinched up and tied one by one before dyeing, leaving a field of small dots. Some of our sarees combine the two, and two use a shibori-style fold and bind.

All 17 sarees here are hand-dyed on chiffon, 5.5 metres long with a blouse piece, at ₹1,997. Chiffon keeps the drape sheer and fluid, so the pattern moves as you walk.

TechniquePatternDesigns
LeheriyaDiagonal wave stripes, usually white on a colour9
Leheriya bandhejWaves and dots together3
BandhejSmall tied dots3
Shibori bandhejFolded and bound, softer geometry2

When to wear it

Leheriya is the traditional saree for Teej and the monsoon festivals in Rajasthan, and it suits mehendi, haldi and summer day functions. Bandhej leans more festive; red and pink bandhej is a classic at weddings across Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Care

Dry clean only. Water and detergent are what fade hand-dyed colour. Don't wring it, keep it out of direct sun, and iron on low heat with a cloth in between.

Each saree is tied and dyed by hand, so the spacing of the waves and dots will differ slightly from the photographs. For more chiffon, see our classic chiffon sarees, or browse the whole party wear edit.

Leheriya and bandhej questions

What is a leheriya saree?

A leheriya saree is tie-dyed in Rajasthan's wave pattern: the fabric is rolled on the diagonal, tied at intervals and dyed, leaving diagonal ripples. The name comes from lehar, the Hindi word for wave. Leheriya is traditionally worn for Teej and the monsoon festivals.

What is the difference between leheriya and bandhej?

Both are Rajasthani tie-dye. Leheriya makes diagonal wave stripes by rolling and tying the whole fabric; bandhej (bandhani) makes tiny dots by pinching and tying individual points of cloth before dyeing. Some sarees combine both.

How much does a leheriya saree cost?

Muralika's leheriya and bandhej sarees cost ₹1,997. Each is hand-dyed chiffon, 5.5 metres long, with a blouse piece. Shipping is free across India and cash on delivery is available.

How can I tell hand-dyed leheriya from a printed one?

Turn the saree over. Tie-dye goes through the cloth, so the pattern is just as strong on the reverse; a printed leheriya is paler on the back. Hand-dyed stripes also vary slightly in spacing and depth of colour, where a print repeats perfectly.

Is leheriya made on chiffon or cotton?

Leheriya is dyed on many fabrics, including cotton, georgette and chiffon. All of Muralika's leheriya and bandhej sarees are chiffon, which keeps them light and fluid.

How do I wash a chiffon leheriya saree?

Dry clean only. Don't wring it, dry and store it away from direct sun, and iron on low heat with a cloth between the iron and the saree.