Varanasi, Dec 11 : Varanasi, famous for silk, is fast emerging as a market for the traditional Tibetan robes.

Tibetan robes made of brocket cloth and peacock feather has been given a special place in Buddhist religion. The Buddhist monks consider it as a holy cloth and use it in every religious activity and ceremony.

According to the exporters, the demand of robes made of peacock feathers is high in foreign countries and fetch a good deal of foreign clients.

"Peacock feather is in great demand in foreign countries and the Tibetan use it in their religious works also," said Badruddin Ansari, an exporter.

The main source of income for the weavers involved in the making of these robes comes from the sale of brocket cloth and regular export helps them to earn their livelihood.

According to the Buddhist monks, the cloth is so pristine that to wear it, a man has to prove his qualities. Only monks of high status in Buddhist religion can use it.

"Varanasi silk cloth is very famous and it has been given high status in our religion, so a common man can''t use it. There should be some merits for a man to use it. It is mainly used in Chatpadu, Tibetan Lohsan, religious functions and programmes," said Karma, a Buddhist monk.

Tibetan exiles set up makeshift shops every year for two months at various places in India as winter approaches and make brisk sales at reasonable prices. (ANI)