Pankhi is a shawl belonging to Uttarakhand. The shawl has been a symbol of honor or respect to someone, wearing, presenting it. Pankhi shawl is considered to be the most luxurious of apparels in the hills of the state. There is no concrete evidence about its history, but it is said that after the reign of Emperor Ashoka, Kashmir was known for making the most special Pankhi shawls in the world. The tradition was then adapted by the people of the hills in Uttarakhand. The word Pankhi is derived from the Persian word ‘Pashm,’ which means customarily weaving of wool. It is also said that the history of the manufacture of these shawls dates back to the 3rd century.
These shawls are made both by hand and machine. However, the handmade ones are still considered to be the best. The wool of at least three sheep is used to make one Pankhi shawl. About 80 grams of good wool is obtained from one sheep. Changra is made from goat wool only after the Mikal wash. It takes a month to make one Pankhi shawl, whereas an ordinary shawl may be prepared in a day.
The spinning, weaving, and embroidery of a good shawl require an expert. Pankhi Shawl is the highest quality shawl crafted from very fine silk fibers. A pure Pankhi can be identified by the warmth and softness of the shawl and, to some extent, by its colour. Pankhi shawl are known for their natural cream color. This Uttarakhandi attire are such elegant fabric that is famous all over the world for their warmth and exquisite workmanship.