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Does the word Dohar ring a bell in your mind? Maybe yes, maybe no.

For the uninitiated, here’s the definition of a Dohar. Actually, it’s a comforter or blanket of sorts that finds its origins in the Indian subcontinent. It has a lot of interesting history and uses. If you’re interested in knowing about Dohar and its origins, how to choose the right Dohar for your needs, care tips and other detailed information, continue reading.

In this article, I will discuss what is Dohar, its meaning, uses, care tips, and how to buy the right one, whether you're looking for a single bed Dohar, double bed Dohar, or a complete Dohar set.

Let’s start with the history of the Dohar.

What is Dohar? Understanding Its Origins

You might be wondering, what is exactly a Dohar? In simple words, a Dohar is a comforter. It is a blanket that can be used by a single person or a couple or even a small family of three persons.

This comforter or blanket if you wish, gets its name Dohar due to the ancient weaving style that went into their making. In Sanskrit language and even pure Hindi, the term Dohar is a blend of two words ‘Dwi’ or ‘Do” meaning ‘two’ and Har meaning folds. By that corollary, a Dohar is rightly a comforter or blanket that can be divided and folded easily into two.

The origins of Dohar are shrouded in mystery. However, it’s widely accepted that the Dohar is an indigenous product of the Indian subcontinent and continues to be used across the region.

Sadly, the term ‘Dohar’ has faded into oblivion in modern times. It has been replaced by the more common term, “Chador” which also signifies a cover in the Persian language. Interestingly, the Dictionary of the English language calls an ethnic Indian cover as a Chador and not a Dohar.

This could possibly be due to the fact that the English language draws many words from Sanskrit, Hindi and other common languages prevalent during their rule of the Indian subcontinent.

What is Dohar Used For?  

If you’ve ever been on a long-haul flight from anywhere to somewhere, surely there was a neatly folded and wrapped blanket on your seat. Or, maybe you were given one by the cabin crew on board.

Actually, all blankets given to passengers while flying on board an aircraft are a type of Dohar. They’re made of simple material, are no-frills, usually have a block color or simple patterns and above all, are lightweight.

This is the main concept behind a Dohar- simple, inexpensive, lightweight, easy to fold and carry and, enough for a single person. That’s exactly the reason why airlines prefer to hand out Dohars to passengers. Above all, maintaining a Dohar is very simple too and I will be discussing this further in the article.

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How Did the Concept of a Dohar Originate?

Some records of Dohar reveal that this kind of blanket or comforter has been made and used widely across the Indian subcontinent since ancient times. Records reveal that ancient day Dohars were made of either sheep wool or coarse cotton fiber. In some cases, refined Jute fiber was also used, depending on availability in various regions.

The purpose of Dohar was manifold, in ancient days. It served as a light blanket during hot summers for people sleeping on charpoys or mats spread on the ground. A Dohar would afford some protection against mosquitos that’re common around farms and water bodies in India. Alternatively, the Dohar was also spread on the ground to serve as a protective mat for sleeping.

For those who couldn’t afford shawls, a Dohar served as protection against cold winds during winters. People also used a Dohar as a small hammock for covering babies while they worked on farms or orchards, in ancient days. These uses of a Dohar are prevalent in rural India to a great extent even in modern times.

Unconventional uses of Dohars in ancient days and modern times include their being used as sofa throws or removable sofa covers. A Dohar can be spread easily over a sofa to give it a brighter look or protect it against spillages. Additionally, a Dohar can also be spread on a single bed to give it a neat look or conceal some mess.

In modern days, the ancient Dohar has found a nice, new use. It’s carried around by women and men on their shoulders to make a fashion statement of sorts. Modern day Dohars are lightweight and come in various colors and patterns, making them easy to be carried around easily.

Materials Used in Dohars

Now that we understand the basic features of a Dohar, let’s explore the materials commonly used in their making. Essentially, there are two main types of Dohars.

The first is the handwoven Dohar, often found in Khadi stores or specialized showrooms. These are handcrafted using traditional methods and are typically made of coarse cotton or genuine wool, making them a premium choice.

The second type of Dohars are mass-produced and widely available. If you're looking to buy a quality Dohar online, you'll find a variety of options that combine comfort and durability. For instance, blended fiber Dohars—such as those made from wool and cotton or polyester and cotton—offer a great balance between quality and affordability.

While street-side markets may offer lower-cost Dohars, it's important to consider the quality and longevity of the product. Choosing the right Dohar not only provides comfort but also adds a touch of style to your space.

Choosing the Best Dohar

Therefore, if you’re interested in buying a Dohar for whatever purpose- personal use, gifting, fashion statement or even gifting, here’re some simple tips on choosing the best one. A modern-day Dohar can fit all these purposes, regardless whether you opt for a handcrafted type or the mass-produced commercial ones easily available everywhere.

• Your Budget: As with most purchases, your budget will influence the type of Dohar you choose. While more affordable options are widely available, investing in a high-quality Dohar ensures better comfort and longevity. For example, you can find Dohars online starting at reasonable prices, with options to suit different budgets.
• Material: The price of any Dohar will depend on its material. The simple and no-frill ones such as those given during flights are usually made of polyester, acrylic, cotton or wool or a blend of these materials. Traditional ones available at pricey stores are made of coarse cotton or even fine cotton. In rare cases, you might come across a Dohar made of camel hair or even jute fiber.
• Purpose: Always buy a Dohar depending on the purpose. If you want a Dohar for mere use as a simple blanket, any inexpensive one would suit your needs. However, be careful with synthetic fibers such as polyester or acrylic since these could trigger allergies for you or others that’re sensitive to such artificial fabrics. Nowadays, commercially made Dohars are also available for two persons or twin-size, queen-size and king-size variants.
• Weight: What makes Dohars popular is their light weight. Therefore, look for Dohars that’re easy to carry and don’t feel like a cumbersome load. A light Dohar, regardless of the material, is easy to fold and carry with you during travels or even wrap around your shoulders as a fashion statement, where needed. If you’re buying offline, surely you would be able to sense the weight of a Dohar. But if you’re buying one online, check the specifications of the Dohar before placing an order.
• Synthetic Fibers v/s Natural Fibers: Finally, decide whether you wish to go for a Dohar made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and acrylic or natural fibers such as cotton or the rare jute. This will again depend on the purpose. If you’re buying a Dohar purely for decorative purposes, I would recommend those made of natural fibers since they can give that cozy feel to your interiors. For casual use, you can opt for a Dohar made of synthetic fibers, if you’re not allergic to such materials.

These few tips and tweaks should help you easily select the best Dohar that suits your budget and purpose. Other than personal uses or decorative uses, gifting a Dohar is something you could consider, especially to a newborn kid and its parents. That’s because a Dohar makes an ideal covering for a neonate, since they need to be kept warn constantly.

How to Wash Dohar? Tips for Maintaining It

Actually, maintaining a Dohar is very simple. As a matter of fact, easy and low-cost maintenance is one of the main features of every Dohar and its manufacture by craftsperson or machine. However, a word of caution: handcrafted Dohar may require careful handling and maintenance.

Generally, you can wash a commercially made and sold Dohar by hand, in cold or lukewarm water, with any ordinary washing soap or detergent powder. They can be machine-washed easily too, being lightweight. However, always soak and wash a Dohar separately since it may be prone to shedding fibers, which could otherwise stick to your other clothes.

You can also have a commercial Dohar dry-cleaned at a good laundry. This can prove ideal though cost a bit, if your Dohar has stains and odors. Drycleaning involves use of various petrochemical based solvents that can easily eliminate unwanted stains and odors from your Dohar and give it that spanking new look again.

For handcrafted Dohars made of natural materials such as sheep wool or cotton, the best way to maintain is by drycleaning from a laundry. I say this because firstly, such a Dohar would be inevitably pricey. Handcrafted Dohars are also prone to leaking or running colors. Drycleaning can prevent such color runs and at the same time, restore that fresh and new look of the Dohar.

Usually, washing and maintenance instructions for Dohar will be available on the laundry label on commercially available Dohars. For handcrafted ones, you will also get care instructions on the brochure or invoice from top showrooms.

Wrap Up

This comprehensive information about the ubiquitous Dohar may make you feel of buying one immediately. You can consider any of the types of Dohar that I mention and care for them according to these basic instructions that I’ve provided. A Dohar can serve many purposes and won’t burn a hole in your pocket, unless you opt for pricey, handmade ones.