Toda Embroidery, known locally as “Pukhoor”, is a handcrafted art form practiced exclusively by the Toda tribal women of the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. Recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, this unique embroidery is deeply rooted in the rituals, identity, and aesthetics of the Toda community.

Characterized by bold red and black geometric patterns stitched on a cream or off-white cotton fabric, Toda embroidery is done entirely by hand — without using tracing or stencils. The motifs, often inspired by nature, animals, daily life, and sacred symbols, carry deep cultural meaning and are traditionally worn as shawls (poothkuli) during ceremonies.