The uniqueness of patola weaving is that the yarns are first dyed according to the desired design and then woven. The technique used is known as ikat. The term ‘ikat’ comes from the Malay-Indonesian expression ‘mangikat’, meaning to bind, knot or wind around. A patola sari generally takes eight months to weave. Patola is a popular attire and every bride in Gujarat desires to wear a patola for her wedding. Patola sari is preferably worn by the mother of the bride in Gujarat at the time of the marriage ceremony. The bride wears white panetar (wedding sari) with a red patola border. In some communities patola cloth is used to tie the knot between the bride and bridegroom to ward off evil. The bride wears patola after the completion of the marriage ceremony when her status changes from maiden to married.