Himalaya Handicraft Mat

Shitalpati, a kind of mat, is perhaps the most notable and popular product among the handicrafts from Cooch Behar which is the extreme North-East District bordering Assam in West Bengal. Barokodali, Ghughumari are the most important centers of Sitalpati in Cooch Behar. The word 'Shital-Pati' means cool-mat (Shital - Cool), Pati -Mat).

The raw material is the Mutra cane (Maranta dichotoma). The green cane is kept soaking in water before it is slashed/sliced into thin strips for making the pati. Then the fine strips are woven by skilfully joining and interlacing to shape into beautiful mats. The quality of the Shitalpati mat is judged by its glossiness, smoothness, and fineness of texture. It is said that the best kind of Shitalpati is so smooth that even a snake cannot glide over it. 

This particular quality of the mat is particularly suited for the warm and humid climate. Shitalpati mats render a feeling of coolness (thus rendering the name 'Shital' or 'Sheetal') to the person sitting or sleeping on it, and are intimately linked with everyday rural life. The aesthetic appeal and utilitarian value of these mats have made them increasingly visible in large towns and metropolitan cities thus expanding their traditional market.

A small variation of Shitalpati is Madur Mat. Madur Mats are made from the "Madur Kathi" reed (Cyperus Tegetum and C. Pangorie). Madur Mats do have beautiful geometric patterns drawn on them which is indeed a pleasure to the eye. Nowadays Shitalpati and Madur Mats are widely used in home decoration, wall designing, Bed Covers for their aesthetics.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognised the 'Shital Pati' as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.