Red Black and Green Temple Border Kanchi Cotton Saree

Dry clean the first wash. After that, a gentle cold hand wash, on its own.

• First wash: dry clean. This sets the colour before the saree meets water at home. Tell the cleaner the border carries zari
• After that: hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, washed on its own. Deep cotton colours can release a little dye over the first few washes
• Do not soak, scrub, wring or machine wash
• Dry flat or on a line in shade, never in direct sun — sunlight dulls both the colour and the zari
• Iron on a medium cotton setting from the reverse, with a cloth over the border. Never run the iron directly across the zari
• Store folded in breathable cotton or muslin in a dry cupboard. Zari dulls in humidity
• Refold along different lines every few months so the same creases don't stay under stress
• Apply perfume and hairspray before draping, never on the saree

A cotton saree is meant to be worn often. This is care, not fragility.

This saree is woven by hand on a loom, so no two pieces are identical. The following are marks of handloom weaving, not defects:

• Small slubs or thickenings in the fabric, where the cotton thread varies naturally
• Slight variation in the spacing of the temple points along the border
• Minor variation in the spacing of the zari lines through the pallu
• Occasional loose threads on the reverse of the border, where the zari is carried across

Colour Representation

We photograph every saree under neutral lighting to represent its tone as accurately as possible. However, slight variations may occur due to:

• Lighting conditions
• Fabric texture and weave
• Screen or device settings

A plain red body shows light more honestly than a patterned one — it can read brighter and more scarlet in daylight, and deeper, closer to crimson, under warm indoor light. The green outer band reads darker indoors than it does in sunlight.

If you would like more clarity, we are happy to assist with:

• Additional close-up photos
• A personalised video call appointment

These characteristics are inherent to handloom weaving and are not considered defects — they are what make each Ayraa saree truly one of a kind.

Blouse: The running blouse comes in the same red as the body with the same zari border, so the matching blouse is already taken care of. If you want contrast instead, this border gives you three ready answers: black from the temple points is the sharpest, bottle green from the outer band is the most traditional, and antique gold reads most festive.

Stitching the blouse: Tell your tailor before cutting if you want the border along the sleeve hems, the neckline or the back yoke. This border has three parts stacked together, so decide how much of it you want on the blouse before anything is cut.

Jewellery: Red, black and green is the most classical South Indian combination there is, and it sits naturally with gold. Temple gold or antique gold picks up the zari in the border; kemp jewellery suits it for a temple morning; a simple gold chain and jhumkas are enough for a working day.

Drape: Pleat it the usual way, with the pallu over your left shoulder. Cotton holds a sharp pleat, so it stays neat through a long day, and on a plain body the black temple points are what read along the pleat edge.

Wear it to: office and work days, temple visits and Friday puja, Pongal, Varalakshmi Vratam, Navaratri, daytime family functions, and as an everyday festive saree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this saree pure cotton?

Yes. It is 100% pure handwoven cotton — body, border and pallu.

Does it come with a blouse?

Yes. It comes with a running blouse piece in the same red as the saree body, carrying the same zari border. It comes unstitched, so it can be tailored to your measurements. The saree is about 5.4 metres with a 0.8 metre blouse piece, about 6.2 metres in total.

Is the border silk?

No. The border is cotton, woven in the Kanchipuram style with zari.

Can I wear this every day?

Yes. Handwoven cotton is breathable and holds its pleats, which makes it comfortable for office days and long wear. Red with a black and green temple border is traditional enough for temple mornings and festivals, and light enough to repeat through the week.

Can I wash this saree at home?

Yes, after the first wash. Dry clean it the first time to set the colour, then hand wash it in cold water with a mild detergent, on its own. Dry it in shade and store it folded in cotton or muslin so the zari stays bright.