The extra-weft weaving of Bihar is a unique style of weaving. Each motif is created by inserting an extra weft, or the bana to the default weft that holds the warp, or the tana, in place. This technique is used to decorate saris, dupattas, stoles, and home linen.

The base fabric for handloom is created with the shuttle of the weft that intertwines with the warp. The “extra” weft is woven on to this base fabric using a spool of yarn. This technique is used to make the traditional Baavan Butti sari of Bihar, where motifs such as the peepal (tree), bull, lotus, stupa (monument), deer, and elephant are woven on the base texture using the extra weft method. A cluster of motifs are usually woven in the pallu of the sari creating a strong, visible pattern, and also along the length of its lower and upper borders. These saris usually come in reds, yellows, and parrot greens. Recent designs also introduced monochrome patterns.