The Government Silk Weaving Factory on Mananthody Road has been producing Mysore silk sarees since 1912, when the Mysore maharaja set it up as part of a broader push to modernise the kingdom's artisan industries. The factory can be visited — a guided tour shows the full process from raw silk thread to finished fabric, including the Jacquard looms that weave the characteristic gold zari (metallic thread) border onto the saree. The weavers work with remarkable speed and precision on equipment that is old but still capable of producing cloth of exceptional quality.
The attached showroom sells sarees, dress material, and made-up garments at government-fixed prices — significantly more expensive than market silk, but reliably authentic. Mysore silk is distinguished by its pure silk content, use of two-ply silk threads for the body, and zari borders made with real gold thread rather than imitation. If you are buying a Mysore silk saree, the factory showroom is the most reliable source; the market is flooded with imitations. The showroom also ships internationally.