Panchachulli Women Weavers

The project seeks to provide an alternative means of livelihood to the Himalayan women by harnessing their expertise in traditional arts through imparting vocational skills. Women from the villages at the foot of the Panchachuli range (meaning “the five brothers”) are trained to utilize their traditional skills in spinning and weaving to produce a versatile range of products that are sold under the brand name “Heaven by Panchachuli”. The creations include shawls, pareos, accessories from pashmina, lamb wool and merino, nettles or silk.

Today, Panchachuli Women Weavers is one of the largest women´s cooperative in the state of Uttaranchal. It has become a self-sufficient project since 2005. Along with training centres, crèches and primary schools have also been set up. Two production centres support over 800 women with products being sold through retail outlets within the state and exhibitions in other Indian cities and also being exported to Europe and the US. ?The project, which started with three women, now supports more than 700 women with further 800 women being trained in different traditional and contemporary skills to expand the network of economically self-sufficient women in the region each year.