Leheriya
लहरिया
लहेरियो
Leheriya — from the Hindi word 'lehar' meaning wave — is a Rajasthani resist-dye technique that creates bold diagonal stripes and chevron patterns on lightweight fabrics.
What is Leheriya?
Leheriya — from the Hindi word 'lehar' meaning wave — is a Rajasthani resist-dye technique that creates bold diagonal stripes and chevron patterns on lightweight fabrics. The cloth is rolled diagonally and tied before dyeing, producing the characteristic undulating wave motif. When the technique creates a criss-cross diamond pattern instead of diagonal stripes, it is called Mothda. Leheriya in yellow and red is the iconic fabric of Teej, when Rajasthani women dress in their finest for the monsoon festival.
Best for
TeejFestivalsMonsoon WearCasual EthnicGiftingTECHNIQUE
How Leheriya is Made
- 1
Lightweight fabric is rolled tightly on the diagonal from one corner
- 2
Thread is wound around the roll at regular intervals to resist dye
- 3
The tied roll is dip-dyed in the first colour
- 4
Then partially unrolled and re-tied in the opposite direction for the second colour
- 5
The result is the signature diagonal wave pattern
Where Leheriya is Made
Explore Leheriya by city — curated products and local context
How to Identify Authentic Leheriya
Key markers that distinguish genuine handcrafted pieces from machine-made imitations
- 01
Diagonal striping that continues consistently from selvage to selvage without misalignment
- 02
Slight colour overlap at the wave peaks where two dye baths meet — absent in printed imitations
- 03
Both sides of the fabric show the pattern — screen-printed Leheriya is one-sided
- 04
Natural imperfections in stripe spacing are normal in handcrafted pieces — machine regularity indicates screen printing
Related Craft Traditions
Bandhani
बांधनी
Bandhani is one of India's oldest textile arts, involving the precise tying of thousands of tiny knots on fabric before immersion in vibrant natural dyes.
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Dabu Print
डाबू प्रिंट
Dabu Print is a mud-resist hand block-printing technique unique to Rajasthan, in which a paste of black clay, wheat chaff, and lime is applied through carved wooden blocks to mask areas of fabric before dyeing.
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Sanganeri Print
सांगानेरी प्रिंट
Sanganeri Print is a centuries-old hand block-printing tradition originating in Sanganer, a town near Jaipur.
Read guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leheriya?
Leheriya — from the Hindi word 'lehar' meaning wave — is a Rajasthani resist-dye technique that creates bold diagonal stripes and chevron patterns on lightweight fabrics. The cloth is rolled diagonally and tied before dyeing, producing the characteristic undulating wave motif. When the technique creates a criss-cross diamond pattern instead of diagonal stripes, it is called Mothda. Leheriya in yellow and red is the iconic fabric of Teej, when Rajasthani women dress in their finest for the monsoon festival.
How do I check if Leheriya is authentic?
There are 4 key markers of authenticity: Diagonal striping that continues consistently from selvage to selvage without misalignment — Slight colour overlap at the wave peaks where two dye baths meet — absent in printed imitations — Both sides of the fabric show the pattern — screen-printed Leheriya is one-sided — Natural imperfections in stripe spacing are normal in handcrafted pieces — machine regularity indicates screen printing
Where does Leheriya originate from?
Leheriya originates from rajasthan, specifically the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur.
What is the price range for Leheriya?
Leheriya products range from ₹399 for simple everyday pieces to ₹15,000 for elaborate handcrafted garments. Bridal and heavily embellished pieces command premium prices, while casual kurtis and dupattas are available at accessible price points.
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