The Finest of Fabrics -- Aurangabad is the only place in the world where Himroo art and Paithani weaving is still practiced, a millennia-old brocade-weaving craft that combines silk and cotton yarn into an almost satinlike fabric. Weavers spend around 2 to 3 months working on a single Paithani sari, even longer on more intricate and detailed designs. A custom-woven Paithani sari with gold-plated thread, featuring a design based on one of the Ajanta murals takes a year to produce and cost up to Rs 200,000 ($4,878/£2,469). A beautiful Himroo shawl can cost anywhere from Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000 ($24-$610/£12-£309), depending on the workmanship. Pay a visit to the Aurangabad Himroo Art & Paithani Weaving & Training Centre (Jaffar Gate, Mondha Rd., Aurangabad) to shop or see weavers at work, or stop at Paithani Silk Weaving Centre, 54 P1 Town Center, behind Indian Booking Office, opposite M.G.M. College (tel. 0240/248-2811; daily 11am-8pm).
