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| Indian Bridal Wedding Jewelry |
In Hinduism Marriage or Vivaah is a most important Sanskar as well as Dharma. Every Hindu bride wants to look her best on her wedding day as it is the most awaited moment in her life.After the clothing,the bridal jewelry is undoubtedly an important detail that needs to be considered when planning for the wedding. Bridal Jewelry is the final touch that puts the entire bridal look together along with the clothing,hair and makeup. Jewelry is an essential part of wedding ceremony known as the "Solah Sringar" in which the bride is beautified with sixteen beautification processes.Here is a summary of what goes into a complete set of Hindu Bridal jewelry.
Mangalsutra
Mangalsutra is gifted by the family of the groom to the bride as a symbol of union of two families.Managalsutra or Thaali is basically a chain of black beads strung using gold metal thread and ending in a gold pendant.It is tied during the wedding ceremony "Mangalsutrabandhanam" by the groom and is a mandatory part of Indian wedding ceremony. It is worn for a life time by the bride as a symbol of a symbol of of love and goodwill.
Choora
Red and white/ivory bangles also known as "Dulhan Ka Suhag Choora" are special set of bangles gifted by the eldest "mama" or maternal uncle to the bride-to-be.Chura is usually worn in combination of Kaleera - a multilayer umbrella shaped ornament with dangling tassels.In a special ceremony two days before wedding, these bangles are cleansed with milk and then put on the brides hands. Bride cannot remove these bangles for 40 days after wedding.
Nath
Bridal Nath is a nose ring worn on the left nostril and the chain attached up in the hair with a hook.The chain is then removed by the groom on the night of the honeymoon to symbolize end of virginity.
Matha Patti
Matha Patti is a hair band in which the center portion of the jewelry is placed on the head along the center hair parting and the extensions on either sides run along the hair line above the forehead.
Maang Tikka
Maang Tikka worn on the center parting of the hair is a accessory that made of a central pendant that rests on the forehead (Third Eye Chakra) and is attached to the hair with a metal chain ending in a hook.
Choti
Choti is a long jewel worn along the length of a braid from the top where your braid would start and usually covers the entire braid depending on the length of the brides hair.
Raani Haar
This is a long and usually multi layered necklace for the wedding. It is usually made of gold,kundan or pearls.
Bajubandh
Bajubandh or armlet is given by the sister-in-law to the bride on behalf of the groom.It establishes the groom's promise to protect the bride from all the difficulties.
Kamarbandh
Gifted by the sister-in-law to the to-be bride, Kamarbandh or the waist belt is not only meant to support the wedding dress and keep in place but is also said to regulate the functions of ovaries and uterus.
Haath Phool
Bridal Haath Phool or "Hand flower"is a bracelet consisting of a oranamental central flower shaped medallion that is connected to the wrist bracelet on one end and five knuckle rings on the other end via dangling chains.
Jooda
Gifted by the mother-in-law,this is a shortened version of waist belt. It is a sort of key chain that is tucked at the side of the saree or chaniya choli.
Payal
Payal are bridal anklets that are made of silver and are gifted to the bride by the maternal uncle or "mama".Payal have tiny bells attached to the link chain so that it makes pleasing jingling sounds when the bride walks.
Bichiya
In many states of India, Bichiya are considered as one of the signs of a married woman.They are usually made in silver and are worn in pairs only.
