2.1. Upper Garments (m): Prāvāraka or Prāvāra (covering)

Prāvāraka is also known as Prāvāra. Literally it means a covering. According to some scholars, Prāvāraka is a cloak, while in some others view; it is a shawl worn in the same manner a modern ‘Duppatta’ is worn. Pāṇini^[1] describes Prāvāra as a blanket. According to Kauṭilya^[2], Prāvāra is a sort of blanket made of the wool of wild animals. Wool made Prāvāra is mentioned by Daṇḍi^[3] and Bhāsa^[4]. Mahābhārata^[5] also alludes to Prāvāra. In Mṛcchakaṭika^[6], we read of Vasantasena’s brother wearing a Prāvāraka of silk. In another place, Vasantasena’s^[7] mother wearing a Puṣpaprāvāraka is mentioned. It may either a Prāvāraka, embroidered with patterns of flowers or one having flowers woven on it. Prāvāraka having several fringes and tassels is also referred to there.