Kullu Shawl Factory: Visit Bhuttico's Handloom Weaving Centre (Since 1944)
If you search for a "Kullu shawl factory," you will find a long list of showrooms along the highway, all using the same phrase. Very few of them let you see how a shawl is made. At Bhuttico, the weaving centre in Bhutti Colony, Kullu, is where the work happens: yarn is set up on the looms and shawls are woven by hand on hand and foot looms.
This guide covers what you will see, how to reach us, and the questions to ask at any Kullu shawl factory before you buy.
What is Bhuttico?
Bhuttico is the trade name of the Bhutti Weavers Handloom and Handicraft Co-operative Society Limited. It was established on 18 December 1944 by a group of 12 weavers in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is owned by its weavers, not by a single investor, and it has been weaving Kullu shawls for more than 80 years.
Along the way, Bhuttico has received the National Award (Gold) in 1993 and the Udyog Ratna Award in 2005, and its quality systems are certified to ISO 9001:2015. Our products have been exported to countries including Belgium, France, Great Britain, Russia, Japan, China, Spain and the USA.
What you will see when you visit
- Raw material store. Merino, Angora and local sheep wool, and pashmina yarn, sorted by type and colour.
- Yarn and warp preparation. Yarn is prepared and set up on the loom before weaving begins.
- The loom hall. Rows of hand and foot looms, where weavers build the geometric borders that identify a Kullu shawl.
- Quality control. Every piece is checked for weave consistency, colour and finish before it is sold.
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The showroom. Shawls, stoles, mufflers, tweeds, pattu, Himachali caps and stitched garments such as jackets and sweaters.
It is a working weaving centre, so what you see on the day depends on the season and production schedule. If you want to see a specific step, such as the loom hall, email us before you come.
How to reach the Bhuttico weaving centre
Address: Bhuttico Head Office, Vill, near KCC Bank, Bhutti Colony, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh 175126 (Plus Code: W44M+J6 Bhutti Colony).
Opening hours: Google Maps lists 9:00 am to 6:30 pm. For holiday timings, email us before you travel.
Distance from the weaving centre (Google Maps driving distance):
- Kullu town: 6.7 km, about 11 minutes.
- Bhuntar airport (Kullu-Manali Airport): 4.0 km, about 7 minutes.
- Manali: about 45 km via NH 3, roughly 1 hour 5 minutes without heavy traffic.
Email: hello@bhuttico.com
Google Maps: Open Bhuttico Head Office on Google Maps
Is it really a "factory"?
People search for "factory" because that is the word visitors use, and we use it too. What separates a handloom weaving centre from a power-loom factory is how the cloth is made:
- In a power-loom factory, machines weave the cloth at speed and the pattern is machine-woven or printed into it.
- In a handloom centre like ours, a weaver operates the loom by hand and foot, so each piece takes longer and small variations are normal.
Read more in our guide to handloom vs powerloom wool, and our overview of Kullu shawls and their heritage.
What to ask at any Kullu shawl factory
- Is this handloom or power-loom? Ask to see the loom it came from.
- What is the fibre, and can you show the label or certificate?
- Is the maker an authorised user of the Kullu shawl GI, and is the GI mark on the piece?
- Is there a Handloom Mark tag attached to the shawl?
- What is the price for this fibre, and why? Our pashmina price and authenticity guide explains what drives the number.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists visit the Kullu shawl factory?
Yes. You can visit the Bhuttico weaving centre in Bhutti Colony, Kullu. Google Maps lists opening hours of 9:00 am to 6:30 pm. Email hello@bhuttico.com before you come if you want to see a particular step or need holiday timings.
How far is the Bhuttico weaving centre from Manali?
About 45 km by road via NH 3, roughly 1 hour 5 minutes without heavy traffic. It is 6.7 km from Kullu town and 4.0 km from Bhuntar airport.
Can I buy directly from the weaving centre?
Yes. The showroom sells our full range. Our shawls are also available online in the Bhuttico Kullu shawl collection.
Do you ship outside India?
Yes. See our international shipping page for how it works, and email us at hello@bhuttico.com if you have questions about your country before you order.
Plan your visit
Bhuttico has been weaving in Kullu since 1944. If you are travelling through the valley, visit the centre, look at the looms, and judge the shawls on the weave rather than on the label. You can also read more about Bhuttico or browse our Kullu shawls online.
