India Textile Tour
Gujarat, IN
30.01 - 14.02.2026

Discover the Rich Textile Heritage of Gujarat

Gujarat is a living testament to India’s traditional and exquisite textile arts. For Mahatma Gandhi, the spinning wheel became a symbol of the struggle for independence. In Kutch, the renowned textile anthropologist Judy Frater guides us to the weavers, dyers, and embroiderers. They show us their techniques, and Judy explains the meaning of the “embroidered and woven threads.” The fabrics of the Kutch peninsula are quite literally the “fabric” of their culture. The richly embroidered, appliquéd, and woven textiles of clothing define the identity of the different communities and the social hierarchy.

Elaborate textiles are also an integral part of many rituals and festivals. On the Saurashtra peninsula, we visit the largest Khadi weaving centre, which has its roots in Gandhi’s independence movement. And in Ahmedabad, we see India’s richest textile collection and encounter the 300-year-old tradition of goddess painting on textiles. In Saurashtra, we will visit the largest Khadi weaving cooperative, a place deeply connected to Gandhi’s legacy, and in Ahmedabad, we’ll experience India’s richest textile collection and explore the 300-year-old tradition of Goddess painting on textiles.

An Authentic Indian Experience

Our journey begins in Mumbai near the Gateway of India, today a dynamic center of contemporary art. From there, we fly to Bhuj, capital of Kutch, renowned for its nomadic culture and textile craftsmanship. We will explore the "Great and Little Rann," a vast salt desert where flamingos and wild asses roam, and where the process of salt harvesting takes place. We visit the city of Gondal, where we’ll stay in a Maharaja's palace. In Palitana, we accompany pilgrims of the Jaina religion on their holy mountain with rich decorated marble temples. Our journey ends in the old city Ahmedabad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we’ll visit Gandhiji’s Ashram, the famous textile collection of the Calico Museum and stroll through the ancient streets of the city’s old quarter.

 

Friday, Jan 30 – Sat, Feb 14, 2026, 16 Days

Group Size: 6 to 8 Participants

Price: € 2.800,- (Double Occupancy), Single Supplement from € 650,-

(Flights not included, exact price will be given in November 2025)

Booking Deadline: December 12, 2025

 

Details on the journey see www.cultures-connect.net

For enquiries and booking send an e-mail to Gabriele Tautscher: gabriele.tautscher@gmail.com.