A pure Pashmina shawl is the perfect epitome of luxury, style and
comfort. Since centuries, it has had its own charm and a special place in each
of its owner’s heart. A coveted accessory, many have it in their ‘to buy’ list.
Not just Indians, but people all over the world are captivated by its beauty
and elegance. Owing to its feel of utmost comfort, warmth and softness, a pure
Pashmina shawl ends up becoming a favorite for all those who own it. Despite
all the attention surrounding Pashmina, very few know it well. So, here we
share some very interesting Pashmina facts with you to up your knowledge about
this accessory.
Some interesting facts on Pashmina shawl:
The word ‘Pashmina’ actually comes from a Persian word ‘Pashm’ which basically means ‘wool’. The wool used for making a Pashmina shawl comes from a special kind of goat called the ‘Changthangi goat’ or Pashmina goat or Chyangra goat or Capra hircus goat. This goat is native to the Himalayas and is found in the Ladakh region of Kashmir. These goats develop a special kind under/ hair during winters in order to survive in extreme temperatures.
There is a lot of confusion surrounding Pashmina and Cashmere. So, cashmere is basically fine wool. Westerners often use the word ‘Cashmere’ as an alternative for the word Pashmina. However, it is important to know that every Pashmina is Cashmere but not every Cashmere is Pashmina. The Pashmina wool is extremely fine. Each of its fibers is about 12 to 16 microns in diameter. Every Pashmina fiber is six times finer than that of a human hair!
The art of Pashmina weaving
is a traditional art in Kashmir. The artisans are unbelievably skilled and have
years’ worth of experience in this field.
A very large population of Kashmiri people is employed in this
sector and their livelihood depends on it. It is believed that the art of
Pashmina weaving was brought to Kashmir from Persia by a Sufi Saint thousands
of years ago. Legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife Josephine was
extremely fond of Pashmina shawls. A Pashmina shawl is only handmade. If it is
not handmade then it is not real. It takes the wool from about 3 Pashmina goats
to make just one Pashmina shawl. There are about 20 processes that need to be
done to convert the Pashmina wool into a beautiful shawl. Pashmina weaving is a
very laborious and time consuming process.
To make a single Pashmina
shawl, it can take anywhere from several days to months and in some cases, even
a year! Pashmina shawl has a huge demand in the world market. Not all Pashmina
shawls that you find in the market are genuine. Hence, you must be very careful
when buying one. A Pashmina shawl is extremely durable. If it is taken care of
properly, it can end up becoming a treasured heirloom piece.
If you would like to buy pure Pashmina shawls online, visit now
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