8 Types Of Dhotis - The Ultimate Dhoti Guide

By Author: Vikram Sharma
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So you've finally decided to buy that perfect Dhoti for your special occasion, but you're not sure what kinds of Dhotis you can wear? In our 'Ultimate Dhoti Guide,' learn about the various types of Dhoti in India.

What Is A Dhoti?

A Dhoti is a type of traditional Indian bottom wear worn by men (mostly). Dhotis are primarily worn by men, though some women do wear them as a fashion statement. They are the traditional attire of many parts of rural and urban India. Dhotis are most commonly seen in urban India at weddings, engagements, and other similar functions.

Dhotis were originally worn by elder men in India as a garment of necessity, but they have since evolved into a part of ethnic wear and are very popular among the youth. It is typically constructed from a single long rectangular piece of unstitched white cloth measuring approximately 4.5 m in length.

History and Origin Of The Dhoti

The word 'Dhoti' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Dhauti,' which means 'to cleanse or wash.' It is usually intended to be worn as a regular everyday attire, so it is regarded as a 'cleansed' daily wear in India. ...
... It evolved from the ancient Indian garment known as the 'Antariya,' which was worn by deities in the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Traditional Indian Dhotis are typically made of simple white cotton fabric. Even today, many men in some parts of India wear this dhoti on a daily basis.

The dhoti, like India's diverse cultures, has its own adaptations across various states and villages. The basic principle remains the same, but there are minor variations depending on local traditions.

How To Wear A Dhoti?

A dhoti is a type of sarong worn by wrapping it around your legs and then pulling a lower part of it and tucking it inside the wrap around the waist from the backside. Pleats are formed on the front side of the dhoti after it has been tucked in, resulting in two separate parts for each leg, similar to a very loose trouser.

Depending on the occasion, it is usually worn with a shirt, a kurta over a cotton vest, a sherwani, a jacket, or almost all men's tops. Similarly, the footwear you can wear with a dhoti depends on the occasion, and you can pair it with leather chappals like kolhapuri chappals or traditional Indian shoes like the jutti or mojari.

Why Wear A Dhoti?

Although the reason for wearing a dhoti is personal preference, people in India primarily wear dhotis for two reasons. First and foremost, it is as comfortable as it gets. Because it is lightweight and thin, it is ideal for India's hot climate. It is also quite comfortable to wear because it does not cling to the legs and provides a lot of ventilation to the legs as well as the manly parts.

Second, it is worn as a fashion statement. It is undeniably very comfortable bottom wear, but it also looks fantastic. Pair it with a nice kurta or shirt and you're ready to show it off in style.

8 Different Types Of Dhotis & How To Wear Them

As previously stated, the modern dhoti has evolved significantly since its inception. Along with this, its utility has evolved over time. The various types of Dhotis that you see today are listed below.

1) The Bengali Kochano Dhuti

The Bengali 'Dhuti' is a style of Dhoti worn by men in India's Bengal region. Although it is similar to a regular dhoti, it has a circular pleated section on the left side.

2) The Maharashtrian Dhotar

The traditional Maharashtrian 'Dhotar,' worn by the Marathi Royals and Peshwas in the golden ages, is one of the most widely used types of dhotis worn by men in Maharashtra. This type of Dhoti is still worn by the elders in many towns and villages in Maharashtra today.

3) The Punjabi Chandra

The Punjabi Chadra is a type of Dhoti worn by men in India's Punjab region. This is their traditional dhoti style, which is quite noticeable if you visit the region. The video above demonstrates how to properly wear the Punjabi Chadra Dhoti. This dhoti style is similar to a handloom lungi.

4) Vaishnava Hare Krishna Dhoti

The Vaishnava culture is represented by the Hare Krishna Dhoti. It is a very comfortable way of draping the dhoti and is worn by men from the Vaishnava culture on a daily basis. Priests in Hindu temples typically wear these types of dhotis.

5) Rajasthani Dulangi Dhoti

One of the most traditional types of Dhoti comes from Rajasthan, a culturally rich state. Rajasthan, the magical land of the Maharajas that gave us this traditional Dhoti that is super comfortable to wear and doesn't get untied easily even when you're doing a lot of physical movement, is home to glorious historical stories.

6) The Kannada Kache Panche Dhoti

One of the most popular types of Dhotis is from the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is known as the 'Dhotra Kachche Panche.' It is the traditional Kannada men's attire, and it is a superlightweight and extremely comfortable way to wear the Dhoti.

7) The Telugu Pancha Dhoti

The Telugu 'Pancha' is another traditional South Indian Dhoti. It is a traditional attire worn by men in Andhra Pradesh. This type of Dhoti is made of pure cotton and is extremely thin and lightweight, making it extremely comfortable.

8) The Tamil Veshti Vetti Dhoti

The Tamil 'Veshti Vetti' is a type of Dhoti or 'Mundu' worn by Tamil men from India's culturally rich state of Tamil Nadu. It is the type of Dhoti that is draped and then folded halfway to the top, much like a half pant, making it very comfortable to wear.