Walking Through Time in Kolhapuri Chappals

 

A pair of Kolhapuri chappals 

It was a hot afternoon in Kolhapur when I first noticed them – rows of earthy brown sandals neatly stacked outside a small shop. The air smelled faintly of tanned leather, and the shopkeeper smiled knowingly as I lingered.

“Kolhapuri chappals, madam, they’ll outlast any shoe you’ve ever owned,” he said with pride.

These sandals are not just footwear; they are a story woven in leather. For over 800 years, artisans in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, have been handcrafting them with meticulous care. Using vegetable-tanned leather, each pair is cut, stitched, and shaped entirely by hand, without a single nail. The result? Footwear that is durable, eco-friendly, and uniquely beautiful.

I picked up a pair – surprisingly light, yet firm. What struck me was the detailing: intricate designs on the straps, tiny patterns pressed into the sole. They looked simple, but there was elegance in that simplicity.

Kolhapuri chappals were once made to withstand the harsh, dry landscape of Maharashtra. Farmers wore them in fields; travelers trusted them on long dusty roads. Over time, they became symbols of rustic resilience. Today, they’ve traveled far beyond their hometown, seen on fashion runways and paired with everything from sarees and kurtas to jeans and dresses.

The shopkeeper chuckled as I tried them on.

“They’ll take a few days to mold to your feet,” he explained, “but once they do, you’ll never want to take them off.”

And that’s the real magic of Kolhapuri chappals. They’re not just something you wear – they grow with you, carrying stories of tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless style.