Fine animal fibre · Shawls · Textiles · Kashmir Valley (Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal)
Handspun and handwoven shawl from Changthangi goat fine underdown fiber measuring under 16 microns.
Authentic Changthangi Cashmere Pashmina (≤16 microns)
Direct Engine Routing for this Craft
Kashmir Pashmina is the world-renowned textile crafted exclusively from the raw underfleece of Capra hircus laniger (Changthangi goat) raised in high-altitude Changthang, spun by hand on traditional yinder spindles and woven on wooden handlooms.
Capra hircus laniger underfleece (Changthangi pashm)
Fiber diameter ≤ 16.0 microns, staple length ≥ 35mm, 100% natural animal protein.
Changthang Plateau (Ladakh) & spun/woven in Kashmir Valley
Typical Duration: 180 to 250 human labor hours per standard shawl
Hand de-hairing, manual spinning on wooden Yinder, and handloom weaving in diamond (chashm-e-bulbul) or twill weave.
Geographical Indications Registry, Government of India (GI Application #46)
All processing, spinning, and weaving confined to the Kashmir Valley territory.
₹14,500 – ₹85,000 (Plain to Hand-Spun Standard)
Artisan Labor Share: 68% of baseline intrinsic cost
Fine micro-spinning and natural botanical dyeing introduce legitimate value premiums above baseline.
18,500+ across Kashmir Valley
42 registered handloom societies
Old Srinagar City (Downtown) · Budgam · Bandipora
Carbon Emissions Profile: Low emissions profile (< 4.2 kg CO2e / unit) driven entirely by zero-electricity manual hand processes.
Dye & Chemical Standard: Natural botanical dyes or certified AZO-free reactive dyestuffs compliant with CLEE Level 1.
Water Footprint: Minimal closed-loop rinsing in freshwater basins without industrial effluent dumping.
Circular Sustainability: 100% biodegradable animal protein fiber with centuries of circular textile utilization.
Resilience Planning: Mandatory GI secure QR labelling, CLIE spinner wage stipends, and CKTRE entity compliance tracking.
Curriculum: Pashmina Heritage & Authentication Masterclass
Core Modules: Raw Fiber Identification, Hand-Spindle Mechanics, GI Inspection Protocol
Master Ustad Faculty: 12 recognized National & State Awardees
Specification Version: Craftlore CAIS-GI-2026.1
Tapestry-woven heirloom shawl created on handlooms using wooden spools (tujis) following coded Talim manuscripts.
Single-strand micro-needle embroidery executed on fine Pashmina and woolen textiles with unmatched precision.
Continuous chain-stitch hook (Aari) embroidery executed over dense cotton duck or linen base fabric for rugs and wall hangings.
