Bhadohi: The Carpet Capital of India

Bhadohi — a small city in Uttar Pradesh — produces roughly 40% of India's carpet exports. This remarkable concentration of carpet weaving expertise makes it the single most important destination for carpet sourcing in India.

The Weaving Tradition

Carpet weaving in Bhadohi has been practiced for generations. Many families have been weaving for decades, passing skills from parent to child. The artisans here produce everything from simple cotton dhurries to elaborate hand-knotted silk carpets.

Product Types

• Hand-knotted wool and silk carpets (premium)

• Hand-tufted carpets (mid-range)

• Cotton and wool dhurries (flat-weave, affordable)

• Jute and jute-blend rugs (eco-friendly)

• Kilim rugs (traditional flat-weave)

Quality Assessment

For hand-knotted: check KPSI (knot density), pattern clarity, colour consistency, and fringe quality. For tufted: check pile density and backing quality. For dhurries: check weave tightness and edge finishing.

Visiting Bhadohi

Bhadohi is about 30km from Varanasi. Most visitors fly into Varanasi (VNS) and drive to Bhadohi. The carpet factories and workshops are spread across the district. A 2-3 day visit allows you to see multiple manufacturers.