Government Silk Factory, Mysore - Timings, Entry Fee, History & Artifacts

At a distance of 4 km from Mysore Railway Station, Mysore Silk Factory is a government-owned factory located in the heart of Mysore city. It is one of the most famous places to visit in Mysore.

Spread across acres of land, the Mysore Silk Factory is mainly responsible for silk weaving and distribution of silk products. The factory was founded in 1912 by Sri Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodiyar, the Maharaja of Mysore. Initially, the silk fabrics were manufactured & supplied to meet the requirements of the royal family and ornamental fabrics for their armed forces. After India gained independence, the Mysore State Sericulture Department took control of the silk weaving factory, and it was handed over to government-owned Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Limited (KSIC) in 1980.

Mysore silk, one of the most famous kinds of silk in India, is exclusively made in Mysore. Karnataka produces 9,000 metric tons of mulberry silk out of a total of 20,000 metric tons of mulberry silk produced in the country, thus contributing to nearly 45% of the country's total mulberry silk. The main source of silk for this factory is from the Ramanagara & Mysore Districts in Karnataka. Since the saree zari contains 65% pure silver and 0.65% gold, it is also one of the most expensive silk sarees in India.

Best known for the Mysore Silk all across the world, you should definitely make a tour through the factory to meet designers and loom workers, and watch the entire silk production process as well. Also, this factory doubles up as an outlet, where you can buy an astounding variety of silk sarees and scarves at the cheapest possible prices. A number of looms and other machines that were used in silk and fiber production almost a century back are also displayed in the factory.

Timings: 10.30 AM - 8 PM

Entry: Free