CHENNAI: A silk sari costing Rs. 40 lakh and woven with 12 precious stones and metals has entered the Limca Book of Records and aims for a Guinness entry as the world’s most expensive sari.

The weaver craftsmen, who created the sari, have replicated 11 paintings of Ravi Varma. Besides replicating his work ‘Lady Musicians’, which features women musicians from various cultural backgrounds, the border features ‘Here Comes Papa’ and ‘Kadambari’.

Actor Suhasini Maniratnam unfolded the 5.5 metres of silk, interwoven with platinum, gold, silver, diamonds, sapphires, cat’s eye, ruby, pearl, coral and topaz, here on Monday. According to Chennai Silks director Chandran, it took 4,680 man hours for a team of highly skilled weavers using a double warp. Celebrities participated in the launch of the sari, which Mr. Chandran considers an exquisite drape for a bride.