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Chaniya Choli is a quintessential Indian traditional garment that that has been influenced by the Rajputs of Rajasthan and the Mughals. Although it is a customized version of the ghagra choli, the Chaniya has a knee length skirt. Ghagra cholis are commonly associated with Mughal traditional attire. However, the close relationship of the Mughals and the Rajputs, inspired the creation of the Chaniya Choli.

Its variants are known by many names such as Ghagra Choli in Gujarat and the Lehenga Choli in urban areas. The Chaniya Choli basically consists of a lusciously embroidered, colorful and often pleated skirt, which is paired with a blouse or choli that extends a little below the lower bust. The ensemble is completed with the donning of a dupatta known as the odhani.

In the rural areas of Rajasthan, there are certain colors that are more popular than others because of their cultural relevance. For instance, green is associated with harmony as well as the harvest season. In the same way, yellow alludes to motherhood and red is preferred by young brides and married women. However, Chaniya Cholis are very popular among younger urban women because of their vibrant mix of modern and traditional hues as well as regional embroidery that enhances the look of the garment. Many traditional forms of embroidery such as resham, zardozi, mirror work, zari, sequins and gota applique work is used to embellish Chaniya Cholis. Moreover, the silhouette of the Chaniyas of the skirt can also be modern, such as fish cut, mermaid cut or A-line lehenga, among others.

Within Rajasthan, Jaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Kota and Udaipur have the biggest and best collection of Chaniya Cholis. However, urban centers from around the country aren’t far behind, especially because they have stocks of modern Chaniya Cholis that appeal to a wider demographic. A Chaniya Choli can be priced anywhere between 500 INR and 5000 INR depending on the amount of work showcased on this garment.