Block Print Kurtas for Navratri — Why Handmade Always Wins

September 1, 2026

There's something deeply satisfying about wearing a piece of clothing that couldn't have been made by a machine. Block print kurtas are exactly that: each one the result of a craftsperson pressing a carved wooden block by hand, one impression at a time, until a pattern emerges across the fabric. For Navratri — a festival that celebrates beauty, tradition, and devotion — there's no more appropriate thing to wear.

The History of Block Printing in India

Block printing in India has a recorded history of over 3,000 years, though the craft is likely even older. Different regions of India developed their own distinct styles: Bagru and Sanganer printing from Rajasthan, Bagh printing from Madhya Pradesh, Kalamkari block prints from Andhra Pradesh, and the famous ajrakh prints from Gujarat and Sindh.

Each style uses different dye techniques, different carving traditions, and different pattern vocabularies. Sanganeri prints tend toward fine floral patterns on white or pastel grounds. Bagru uses earthy, resist-printed patterns with bold blacks and reds. Ajrakh is geometric and intricate, using natural indigo and madder. What they share is the human hand — and the intelligence and skill that comes with it.

When you wear a block print kurta, you're wearing a piece of this living tradition. That matters, especially during a festival like Navratri.

Why Block Print Is Perfect for Navratri

No Two Are Identical

Because block printing is done by hand, small variations in pressure, angle, and dye absorption mean that no two printed garments are exactly alike. The slight imperfections — a ghost print here, a slightly uneven repeat there — are signs of authenticity. At a garba event where dozens of women might be wearing similar styles, a handblock printed kurta genuinely stands out.

The Colours Are Richer

Natural and reactive dyes used in block printing produce colours with a depth and warmth that digital printing cannot replicate. A block-printed red is not the flat, uniform red of a screen-printed garment. It has variation, life, and luminosity. Under the warm lighting of a garba venue, this makes a real difference.

It Connects to Navratri's Roots

Navratri originated in Gujarat and Rajasthan — the heartlands of India's block printing tradition. Wearing block print ethnic wear to Navratri is not just a fashion choice; it's a nod to the cultural geography of the festival itself.

How to Style Block Print Kurtas for Garba and Puja

For Garba Nights

Choose a long, flared kurta in a medium-scale block print — large enough to be visible from a distance as you dance, but not so overwhelming that it competes with everything else. Pair with a solid palazzo or sharara in one of the print's accent colours. Keep jewellery minimal — oxidised silver or brass pieces work beautifully with block print's earthy aesthetic. Avoid heavy gold unless the print is particularly fine and delicate.

For Puja Mornings

For more formal or devotional settings, choose a finer block print in traditional colours — red, ochre, or deep indigo. A straight-cut kurta with churidar or straight pants looks appropriately elegant. Add a simple dupatta draped traditionally, and modest jewellery. Haus of Handmade's collection includes pieces that move effortlessly between the garba circle and the puja room.

Colour Pairing Tips

Block prints typically feature two to four colours. Let the dominant colour of the print guide your pairings. Earthy block prints (ochre, rust, brown) pair beautifully with mustard or olive dupatta or bottoms. Indigo block prints work with white, cream, or a deep teal. Red and black ajrakh-style prints can be paired with red or deep burgundy for a rich, monochromatic look.

Explore Haus of Handmade's block print kurta collection — each piece is handcrafted by artisans who have spent years mastering their craft.

Care Tips for Block Print Kurtas

Block printed fabrics need gentle care to stay looking their best. Always wash in cold water — hot water causes colours to bleed and fade. Use a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Turn the garment inside out before washing. Do not wring — gently squeeze excess water and then hang to dry in the shade. Direct sunlight will fade natural and reactive dyes over time.

For particularly delicate or natural-dyed pieces, hand washing is always preferable to machine washing, even on a gentle cycle.

HoH's Block Print Collection — Craftsmanship Worth Wearing

At Haus of Handmade, every block print piece we make is a collaboration between our design team and the artisans who do the actual printing. We work with printers in Rajasthan and Gujarat, sourcing fabrics carefully and allowing the artisans' expertise to shape the final result. HoH pieces are made to order, which means your block print kurta is printed specifically for you — not pulled from a pile of identical stock.

This is what makes handmade always win: the care, the skill, and the intention that goes into every single garment. Browse our festive collection this Navratri and find a block print that speaks to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is block print fabric?

Block print fabric is textile that has been patterned by hand using carved wooden blocks dipped in dye and pressed onto the cloth. Each repeat of the pattern is applied individually, which gives block printed fabric its characteristic warmth, slight variation, and artisanal quality. It is one of India's oldest textile traditions.

Is block print kurta good for garba?

Yes — block print kurtas are an excellent choice for garba. They're typically made in natural fabrics that are breathable and comfortable for dancing, they look festive and distinctive, and they connect beautifully to the cultural roots of Navratri, particularly the Rajasthani and Gujarati block printing traditions.

How do I wash a block print kurta?

Wash in cold water with a mild detergent. Turn the garment inside out to protect the print. Do not use hot water or strong detergents, as these can cause colours to fade or bleed. Dry in shade rather than direct sunlight. Hand washing is ideal for particularly delicate or naturally dyed pieces.

What makes Haus of Handmade block print kurtas special?

Haus of Handmade works directly with skilled artisans in Rajasthan and Gujarat to create block print pieces that honour the tradition of the craft. Each piece is made to order, meaning your kurta is printed specifically for you. The result is a garment with genuine artisan quality — not a mass-produced imitation of handmade work.

Shop Haus of Handmade: co-ord sets · cape tops · dresses · tops & shirts · workwear