Bhadohi Carpet Weaving Cluster

The Bhadohi Carpet Weaving Cluster is a renowned hand-knotted carpet manufacturing hub located in Bhadohi city, Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi) district, Uttar Pradesh. Often called the 'Carpet City of India,' it accounts for a major share of India's handmade carpet exports. The cluster comprises thousands of looms and workshops across Bhadohi and surrounding villages, known for intricate designs, wool and silk carpets, and a Geographical Indication tag awarded in 2010.

Visitors can expect to see traditional handloom and hand-knotted carpet weaving in small workshops and household units spread across Bhadohi town and nearby villages. Artisans work on wooden looms creating intricate patterns in wool, silk and wool-silk blends. Visitors can observe dyeing, knotting, washing and finishing processes, interact with weavers, and view finished carpets in showrooms and emporiums. The setting is semi-urban and rural with clustered workshops rather than a single enclosed attraction.

Carpet weaving in Bhadohi traces back to the 16th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, when Persian weaving experts are believed to have settled in the region. The craft developed with royal patronage and grew as a cottage industry through the 19th and 20th centuries, establishing Bhadohi as a major centre for hand-knotted carpets.

The cluster holds the Geographical Indication tag for 'Handmade Carpet of Bhadohi' granted in 2010, recognizing its distinctive craftsmanship and designs. It sustains livelihoods for more than two lakh artisans and weavers, preserves traditional knotting and weaving skills passed through generations, and is designated as the One District One Product for Bhadohi district.