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| Traditional Gold Mangalsutra |
Meaning of Mangalsutra:
'Mangal’ means auspicious and ‘sutra’ means thread.Mangalsutra is a sacred thread of black beads which is it is tied by the groom around the brides neck during the wedding rituals as symbol of their union. It is part of Sola Sringar (the sixteen adornments) of the bride and reflect the marital status of a woman. Wearing the Mangalsutra in a ceremony called Mangalya Dharanam is the most important ritual of a Hindu wedding occasion.
Significance of Mangalsutra
As per Soundarya Lahari, a famous book by Adi Shankara, Mangalsutra symbolizes the inseparable bond between a husband and a wife.Married women are expected to wear Mangalsutra throughout their life as a symbol of well-being of her husband and family.
Historically, the custom of tying a `mangalsutra`, the auspicious emblem or cord, on the wedding day, appears to have become popular only after the 6th century AD.Before this, a yellow protective cord known as 'kankanabandhana` was tied around the wrists of the bride and the groom to signify the commitment to marriage.
Different Names of Mangalsutra:
Mangalsutra is also known as Thaali,Mangalyasutra,Pustely,Mahuratmani,Dhaaremani or Minnu in South India.
Making of Manglasutra:
Both the families of the bride and the groom contribute a piece of gold and melt it into a pendant with the help of the family goldsmith.The design of gold pendant is selected by the groom's family in as per their customs.A braided thread is created by twisting together seven threads taken from the bride's wedding saree. This thread is made yellow with turmeric. The gold pendant and the black beads are strung into a necklace with this yellow thread. The black beads signify protection of life of the groom from evil powers.This sacred necklace that is created is tied around the bride's neck amidst the enchanting of hymns with three knots. The groom ties the first knot and his sisters tie the rest two. The first knot implies obedience of bride to her husband, the second to her in-laws and the third for God.
Exceptions:
The Nairs and Kashmiri Pandits have the distinction of not wearing Mangalsutra as a part of wedding ceremony.
Latest Designs and Patterns of Mangalsutra:
Traditionally the pendant was only gold for a Mangalsutra.
In modern times this pendant is also being made from diamond or CZ. The length has also decreased as working women prefer short and subtle designs of mangalsutra.
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| Maharashtrian Mangalsutra with Two Vatis |
A Maharashtrian Mangalsutra is usually shaped in a form of two joined hollow semi circular bowls known as "vati". It is worn with the vatis upside down at the time of marriage.Each vati signifies the family of the bride and groom. The symbolic meaning of this is that the bride has to create a balance and well being between the two families.As per another explanation the two vatis signify the blessings of the sun and moon- sun for good health,brilliance and power and moon for romance and peace.
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| Diamond Mangalsutra |
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| Interchangeable Fashion Manglasutra |
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| Black Rhinestone Mangalsutra |