Traditional wear in Mumbai
Nauvari saree
Best worn at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
The nine-yard Maharashtrian nauvari saree, draped dhoti-style — vibrant and rooted in tradition.
Best colours
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Price range
₹1,500–8,000
Comfort level
Medium
Best place
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Footwear
Kolhapuris
Buy / rent nearby
Dadar / Girgaon markets
Best colors
The story behind it
The nauvari (nine-yard) saree is traditional Maharashtrian women's wear, draped for ease of movement and worn at festivals like Gudi Padwa.
Styling guide
How to style this look
Accessories
Footwear
Kolhapuris — comfortable, on-theme and easy for cobbled lanes and steps.
Bag suggestion
A potli (drawstring) bag or a small embroidered clutch keeps the look authentic with your phone within reach.
Hair & makeup (optional)
Soft kajal, a bold lip and loose waves or a braided bun with a maang tikka complete the traditional look.
Best colour combinations
Where to shoot it
Best photo spots for this outfit
Spots in Mumbai where Nauvari saree really works.
Great matchChhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
- Best time
- Best time: Late afternoon, when the sun lights up the front of the building; blue hour, when the façade is lit against a deep sky.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Stand on the far pavement of D N Road near the Municipal Corporation building and take a wide, slightly upward photo that fits the dome and the front towers.
Elephanta Caves
- Best time
- Best time: Morning, on the first ferry, when the great cave is empty; late afternoon on the boat back, for warm light on the Gateway and the harbour.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Stand in the middle of the hall, between the pillars facing the back wall, and take a straight-on photo of the Trimurti with the pillars framing it on each side.
Gateway of India
- Best time
- Best time: Early morning for an empty plaza and the sun rising over the harbour behind the arch; late afternoon for warm light on the city-facing side.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Stand near the Shivaji statue at the far side of the plaza and take a wide photo with the arch on one side and the Taj's red domes on the other.
Shop the look
Where to buy or rent nearby
Typical price · ₹1,500–8,000
Wear it well
Practical tips for tourists
An improper first-time drape — get help
Carry kolhapuris or comfortable flats — you'll be on your feet a lot.
Great for a morning or late-afternoon shoot; pace longer days.
Golden hour light flatters rich traditional colours — plan the shoot early or late.
The full guide
Styling Nauvari saree in Mumbai
Nauvari saree is a traditional wear favourite in Mumbai, and looks its best in green, yellow and purple. It pairs naturally with a shoot at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, worn with kolhapuris.
Comfort is medium, so plan your route accordingly. You can buy or rent it around dadar and girgaon markets from about ₹1,500–8,000. Check the photo spots above for the best time and angle to capture the look.
Nauvari saree
The nine-yard Maharashtrian nauvari saree, draped dhoti-style — vibrant and rooted in tradition.
What follows is the practical brief for buying it and wearing it well.
🧵 What it is
The nauvari (nine-yard) saree is traditional Maharashtrian women's wear, draped for ease of movement and worn at festivals like Gudi Padwa.
This is heritage wear, and that changes the shopping brief - quality of make matters more than the label, the season, or the discount.
How and when it is worn today - daily, ceremonially, or in performance - varies from tradition to tradition, and noticing which is part of understanding the piece.
🎨 The colours and finishes
The shades to ask for first:
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Green
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Yellow
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Purple
Colours in this family photograph well against Mumbai's stone, street and sky - which matters more than it sounds, since most of the trip's record will be pictures.
Worn with Nath (nose ring), Kolhapuri saaj and Gajra, the look completes the way the tradition intends.
👟 Wearing it around Mumbai
Footwear: Kolhapuris.
The comfort mark here is MEDIUM - comfortable with a little managing through a long day.
The Indian sightseeing day has its own grammar - off at the temple, off at the mosque, on again for the street - and this piece fits it with a little planning.
The quiet test is the everyday one - sitting, stepping up, reaching for a camera. Do those in the fitting and the rest of the day follows.
🚫 What to avoid
- An improper first-time drape — get help
Avoid these and the piece does what it was bought to do.
🛍️ Where to buy it
In Mumbai: Dadar / Girgaon markets.
Expect to pay in the region of ₹1,500–8,000.
Prices at traditional markets are commonly negotiable - quote politely, counter at a fair distance from the first number, and let the conversation find its level.
🧳 Bringing it home
Care is simple: fold along the original creases, keep it dry, and air it before the first wear. Natural fibres crease in a bag and forgive on the body, so a steamy bathroom often does the work of an iron.
A purchase like this is worth the first half of a morning - unhurried, with the chance to compare two or three makers before deciding.
✅ The one-minute checklist
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Palette: Green, Yellow and Purple
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Footwear: Kolhapuris
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Accessories: Nath (nose ring), Kolhapuri saaj and Gajra
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Budget: ₹1,500–8,000
-
Where: Dadar / Girgaon markets
-
Avoid: An improper first-time drape — get help
Questions
Nauvari saree — FAQ
Can I wear Nauvari saree at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
Yes — Nauvari saree suits Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus beautifully. Comfort is medium, so you can explore at an easy pace. Pair it with kolhapuris for the walk up.
Where can I buy or rent traditional wear in Mumbai?
Try Dadar and Girgaon markets in Mumbai. Expect roughly ₹1,500–8,000. Many shops rent festive outfits by the day, which is ideal for a single shoot.
Which colours look best for Mumbai photos?
Green, yellow and purple photograph especially well against old stone in Mumbai — they stand out without clashing with the setting.
Is Nauvari saree comfortable for sightseeing?
Comfort level is medium. It works for a relaxed day of sightseeing as long as your footwear is comfortable. Kolhapuris keeps it easy on the feet.