Antariya


An antariya is a lower body garment from Nepal and ancient India. It is a long white or coloured strip of cotton passed through the legs, tucked at the back and covering the legs loosely, then flowing into long pleats at the front of the legs.

History

The antariya is an ancient garment mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Hindu deities can be seen wearing the uttariya and the antariya in sculptures in the Indian subcontinent, especially in Hindu temples and other forms of iconography.
As mentioned in Buddhist Pali literature during the 6th century BC, Sari is an evolved form of the antariya, which was one of three-piece attire worn by women during the ancient period.

Terminology

The word antariya is of Sanskrit origin.

Use

The antariya was usually made of fine cotton or silk. It was usually used in combination with the uttariya.