In the Heart of Banaras, Where We Have Always Been; Kunj Gali, Chowk, Varanasi

Since 1947, the lanes of Kunjgali and Chowk have not just been our location, they have been our identity. Generations have walked through these streets in search of handwoven Banarasi textiles, and for four generations, our family has opened the doors of Ushnakmal Moolchand Banaras from the very same heart of the city we proudly call home.

What began with Shri Ramcharandas Tandon (5th Generation) was carried forward by Shri Jawaharlal Tandon (6th Generation) , then nurtured further by Gautam Tandon and Neetu Tandon (7th Generation), and today, continues with the 8th Generation of the Ushnakmal Moolchand family, Kamya Tandon and Saharsh Tandon.

While Kamya Tandon pursued her education in Fashion and Design Strategy from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Mumbai, bringing a contemporary perspective to the legacy of Banarasi textiles, Saharsh Tandon continues to deepen his understanding of textiles and the craft that has shaped the family for generations. Through changing times, evolving fashion, and growing markets, one thing has remained constant, our roots in Banaras.

Kunj Gali has always been more than a marketplace to us. It is where our understanding of handloom was shaped, where relationships with customers became generational, and where every saree carried not just craftsmanship, but emotion. In the heart of Banaras, surrounded by the energy of Chowk, the city’s oldest and most vibrant wholesale and retail textile market, we built our journey thread by thread.

In 1963, another chapter of our story began when Jawahar Textiles was established in New Market, named after Shri Jawaharlal Tandon. Over the years, New Market became an extension of our family’s vision and craftsmanship. Today, alongside our legacy of Banarasi sarees in Kunjgali, our New Market store houses an expansive world of suits, lehengas, dupattas, fabrics (thans), and occasion wear continuing to serve customers from across India and beyond.

There is also a blessing tied to this place that words can hardly describe. Under the divine presence of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, we begin each day with gratitude. To walk through these sacred lanes every morning, to catch a glimpse of the Mandir before opening our stores, is something we will never take for granted. Banaras is not just where we work, it is where our faith, family, and future coexist.

People often say that growth means moving forward. But for us, growth meant staying rooted. Legacy does not move with trends. It grows deeper with time. The same streets that witnessed our beginnings continue to witness our journey today, and we hope they continue to do so for generations to come.

Ushnakmal Moolchand Banaras remains where it has always belonged in the heart of Banaras at Kunj Gali & New Market, Chowk, Varanasi.