As Nashik prepares for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a Paithani saree from Yeola has made its way into a gift hamper presented to President Droupadi Murmu , bringing attention to Maharashtra’s long textile tradition.

The saree was part of a hamper presented by a delegation led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis , which met the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday to invite her to the October 31 flag-hoisting ceremony for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh.

Yeola, in Nashik district, is now a major centre for Paithani weaving. The saree takes its name from Paithan, an ancient town on the Godavari in neighbouring Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, known in antiquity as Pratishthan.

Sahapedia, an online resource documenting India’s arts, culture and history, refers in its account of Maharashtra’s handlooms to second-century BCE trade records mentioning silk and cotton from Pratishthana in exchanges involving Roman goods.…