Naba Kothi Khandua (Navrang Pata)

Khandua saris are also known as Maniabandi or Kataki. These are a traditional "bandha" or Ikat saris. Auspicious drapes, they are known to be worn by the Lord Jagannath, and are thus, worn by women for weddings and special occasions. The traditional Khandua material contains texts and illustrations from Gita Govinda. One of these extremely special Khandua sari types is the famed Naba Kothi – The sari has nine squares (kothi) with all auspicious symbols, thus the name NABA KOTHI. The Nabakothi is one of the most beautiful of the Odisha weaves. The nine symbols woven in the nine house or kothis are Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma, Hamsa, Mangal Ghot, Betel Leaves, Animals and Lingaraja Temple from Odisha. The design motif has an auspicious elephant that represents Buddha surrounded by trailing vine with peacocks in it, a large many petalled flower, a unique Odishan animal called Nabagunjara, a Deula Kumbha. The elephant in Khandua Ikat from Nuapatana usually varies from elephant motifIs in Ikat from Sambalpuri saris as well as Ikat from other parts of Odisha. The Pallu in this one comes in big Jhoti or Chita motifs. The nine symbols are woven in the nine houses or kothis … a mixture of chinhas or symbols sacred to Devi Lakshmi and Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu. It is said that the Nabakothi is worn by Her during the Ratha Yatra worshipKhandua is traditionally red or orange in colour, especially on the border. The red colour is prepared naturally from the shorea robusta (Sal tree). The Nabakothi sari body has always been traditionally Blue (from Indigo dye) in colour … Krishna’s colours are Blue and Lord Jagannath is believed to be an avatar of Lord Krishna.