India, April 11 -- A midnight queue outside a saree store is not a sight you'd expect - but in Bengaluru, it's becoming a ritual. The "saree stakeout" trend recently went viral again after a reel by Shourya (@off.script) showed crowds lining up outside a Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation store, with some waiting over seven hours just for the doors to open. "It's 3.45am and we're heading to a place no one talks about," she says in the video. Despite arriving early, dozens were already ahead in line. "I stepped out for coffee and came back to find 53 names added before me." Some had arrived as early as 3am, while others claimed to have queued up the previous night. The store opens only between 10 and 10.30am, with tightly controlled entry. Getting a token can take hours, only 10 people are allowed inside at a time, and each shopper gets just 10 minutes. "You get only one saree per token," she notes. According to designer Deepika Govind, a former KSIC consultant, the shift has been significant. "There was a time when KSIC struggled with limited designs and competition from cheaper alternatives. But the focus was always on creating something premium and authentic, rooted in Bengaluru's identity as the City of Silk," she says. Today, demand far outpaces supply. "Earlier, they had to push sales; now it's about managing demand. These sarees are seen as long-term investments," she adds, recalling vintage saree showcases where decades-old pieces still retained their sheen. Much of the appeal lies in craftsmanship. KSIC is among the few organisations in India that oversees the entire process, from cocoon reeling to weaving, under one roof. Each Mysore silk saree comes with a unique code and hologram certifying pure gold zari, which does not tarnish. The mulberry silk itself, produced by the Bombyx mori, is prized for its fine, uniform texture. For collectors like Pooja R, a Bengaluru-based network engineer, the appeal is both emotional and practical. "My mom had a beautiful collection, and that's where it started for me," she says, adding, "Mysore silk is lightweight, easy to wear, and has a quiet richness." That quiet luxury now comes at a steep price. "A saree that cost Rs.20,000 two years ago is now Rs.50,000 or more. Some even go up to Rs.1 lakh," she says. Despite the price surge, the demand has only grown: "People see it as an investment.. it's timeless and holds value. You'll still see people in their 50s and 60s standing in line. That's the legacy."...