From Home Use to Tourist Sales: Handloom Training Transforms Kullu’s Rural Economy

Nestled in the Naggar block of Kullu, the Rumsu panchayat’s Sharan village has witnessed a dramatic shift in its economic landscape. After being declared a ‘handloom village’ by the Ministry of Textiles in 2020, the community’s age‑old wool‑weaving practices have been repurposed for commercial success.

A survey carried out by the ministry indicated that almost every household still relied on the traditional wooden loom, laying a solid foundation for the handloom tag. Subsequent to the designation, a focused training module spanning 45 days equipped 20‑25 villagers—predominantly women—with modern design techniques, product diversification skills and market insights.

The establishment of a dedicated handloom building, complemented by a shop operated by a self‑help group, has enabled artisans to produce a range of items targeted at tourists: premium shawls, elegant stoles, warm blankets, mufflers and various crochet accessories. Women now report monthly earnings of ₹10,000‑₹15,000, a stark contrast to the modest income generated from making items solely for household consumption.

By aligning production with tourist preferences, the village has turned a cultural pastime into a viable source of livelihood, reinforcing financial independence for families and injecting fresh vitality into the rural economy of Himachal Pradesh.