Meet the Weavers of Maniabandha, A Village in Odisha, Named One of India’s Best Tourism Villages

Maniabandha, a serene weaving village in Odisha's Cuttack district, has been recognised as one of India's Best Tourism Villages in the craft category, an accolade that places this Ikat-rich settlement firmly on the nation's cultural map. Awarded by the Ministry of Tourism, the title acknowledges Maniabandha's exceptional weaving heritage, sustainable production practices, and its potential to evolve into a model craft-tourism destination.

As we talked to the weavers, whose lives revolve around looms humming in almost every courtyard, it was clear that the award is a long-awaited validation. "People have known our sarees, but not the village behind them," says Akula Nandi, a fourth-generation weaver. "Now Maniabandha itself is finally getting the respect it deserves."

Threads of History that connect Buddhist Roots to Sacred Textiles

What distinguishes Maniabandha is its unique cultural fabric. The majority of weavers here are traditional Buddhists, a legacy dating to the sixth century AD. Today, Maniabandha hosts five Buddhist temples where Buddha and Hindu deities are worshipped together, embodying a rare syncretic tradition.

This spiritual synthesis manifests in the village's signature textile: the Khandua sari. Since 1719, Maniabandha weavers have held the sacred honour of creating ceremonial garments for Lord Jagannath at Puri's Jagannath Temple. The most revered is the Gitagovinda Khandua, woven with verses from the twelfth-century devotional poem — a tradition that continues unbroken.

"Our elders taught us never to harm the worms," explains senior weaver Akhila Pal, who has spent five decades at the loom. "We believe our clothes must be pure, in technique, in colour, and in intent."

The weavers employ Buddhist motifs such as elephants, lions, and swans alongside Hindu symbols in their intricate designs, creating textiles that embody both traditions.

Craftsmanship Rooted in Technique and Tradition

Maniabandha's Ikat weaving, locally known as Bandha, involves a painstaking tie-and-dye process applied to yarns before weaving. Traditionally employing natural dyes from lac, indigo, and madder, the weavers created vibrant textiles in red, black, yellow, and white. Each piece requires seven to eight days of meticulous work, with entire families participating in various stages from dyeing to weaving.

The handloom cluster encompassing Maniabandha and surrounding villages engages approximately 20,000 weavers producing traditional textiles. Looms positioned in courtyards and entrance rooms remain a common sight, forming a living museum of craft continuing in real time.

A pivotal force in Maniabandha's evolution has been Tata Trusts' Antaran programme, launched in 2018, as per the weavers. "Earlier, we knew how to weave, but not how to grow," says weaver-entrepreneur Kunti Nandi who with Antaran’s help is now working with major brands like Nalli. "Now we understand pricing, quality control, and how to reach buyers ourselves. It has changed our confidence." Through training in contemporary design, pricing strategies, digital literacy, and market access, Antaran has transformed the weaver-middleman dynamic.

A Future Woven with Tourist Recognition

Young weaver and entrepreneur Animesh Nandi notes the shift, "There was a time when buyers came only through middlemen. Now people travel here to see how we work. Tourism is giving us visibility we never imagined."

The Best Tourism Village award arrives as Odisha develops a Handloom Village Tourism Centre in Maniabandha, offering visitors demonstration looms, dyeing vats, and direct artisan purchases. The village's proximity to Buddhist heritage sites at Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri enhances its appeal, creating a natural circuit connecting spiritual pilgrimage with craft tourism.

Maniabandha's looms have always woven beauty and now, they weave recognition, pride, and possibility.