All about 16 Shringar

16 Shringar or adornment is basically done for happiness and prosperity in home.  If done right with purity and divine essence, it becomes the carrier of Love and Non – violence and thus spreading  Love and Placidity in society. That is the reason why 16 shringar has been considered an important part of Indian culture.  Rig Vedas has description of good luck that comes from 16 shringar. Let us see what those 16 shringars are :

1.     Bindi

“Bindi” word is originated from Sanskrit language. Bindi is usually “Kumkum”  placed as a dot between the eyebrows on forehead, resembles the third eye of “Shiva”. Many married women consider important to wear bindi. It is believed to be reason or the prosperity in home.

2.     Sindoor

In the northern part of India, almost everywhere, “Sindoor” resembles “Suhag” or Husband. Sindoor ceremony is very famous and integral part of Indian marriages when a groom puts Sindoor in brides “Maang” or parting in hairs. From this day bride puts Sindoor in her Manng every day.

3.     Kajal

Known as Kohl or even eye - liner in English is a must for Shringar. Besides it adds up to the beauty, it also protects bride and her family from evil eye.

4.     Mehandi

Without “Mehandi” or Henna Shringar is never  said to be complete. Before a marriage in India all the females of both groom’s and bride’s family apply Henna on their hands and legs. It is also said that darker the color of henna is, more is bride loved by her groom.

5.     Shadi ka Joda

North Indian brides usually wear a “Joda” which contains “Ghagra” (Skirt), “Choli” (Midriff – baring blouse) and “Odhni” (Stole) which is generally decorated with Zari. Similarly in East India and Bihar, Bride wears Red and Yellow color Saree. In Maharashtra green color is considered auspicious during marriages.

6.     Gajra

“Gajra” are made by sweet scented flowers by knitting like garland and is worn on hair knot. It is prominently used in southern part of India. These women generally use Night Jasmine flowers for Gajra.

7.     Mangtika

“Mangtika” is made of gold is and placed on the parting of hair where Sindoor is applied. Besides adding up to the beauty it is said that it reminds bride to follow the right and straight path and to take decisions impartially.

8.     Nath

Nath” or Nose ring is worn by bride after “Saat Phere” in which both bride and groom take 7 rounds of fire. It is worn to respect “Devi Parvati”. It is also believed to enhance the Health and well – being of husband. North Indian woman wear nose ring on the left side of the nose though south Indian women also wear ring in the middle partition of the nose. 

Nath is usually large in size and thus uncomfortable to wear every day. That is why women usually wear it on special occasion only. Most women replace it with a smaller ring for everyday use or one can also use nose pin if not ring.

9.     Jhumka

“Jhumka”, also known as Ear – ring is of infinite styles though the basic idea behind many designs is to use a chain to hold a beautiful shaped ornament entirely made of gold. It is important for a married woman to wear Ear – rings after marriage. It is said that this Jhumka is to remind bride to avoid listening to ill – talks about husband and his family.

10.     Haar

Haar” or also known as Garland is made up of gold or pearl and it resembles the commitment of a women to her husband. It is also said that this garland helps to maintain health as there are some pressure points around neck. For this purpose garland is made of gold instead of flowers and thus given a beautiful shape to be an integral part of Shringar. 

“Mangalsutra” is also used as a replacement of Haar since it is thinner than and good for daily usage.

11.     Bajuband

“Bajuband” or Armlets is generally made up of gold or silver. Women wear it tightly on biceps. Earlier in Indian culture it was necessary for women to wear Bajuband and was believed that by doing so husband’s wealth is preserved. It also resembles the victory of good over evil.

12.     Churi and Kangan

“Kangan” or Gold bracelet or Bangles resembles the marriage of a woman since 18^th century. In Hindu culture, in a ceremony called “Muh Dikhai” mother in law gives the same bracelet to bride, which was given to her by her mother in law and is carried as a family tradition. Even today many women still possess the bracelet given to them by their mother in law and are waiting to give it to their daughter in law with the blessings of happiness and good luck. Design and decorations on these gold bracelets varies from region to region in India. Some women wear open ended bracelets while many others wear closed ended bracelets.

A married Indian woman is never said to keep her wrists empty or without “Churi” which is again a bracelet usually made of glass or fiber. Churi are available in infinite colors and each color is said to have different meanings or to be worn on different occasions.  For example red color is dominating at the time of marriage (and months after that) and it shows that bride is happy and satisfied  with the new relation. For the celebration of holi women usually use yellow color and to celebrate “Teej”, green is preferred colour. Earlier many women wrapped the corner of saree on wrists while changing Churi so that their wrist is not empty for even a second while their husband is still alive.

13.     Anguthi

Anguthi” or ring is primarily exchanged between bride and groom before marriage at a function called “Sagai” or engagement. Ancient Ramayan has also an incident related to ring. When Ravna took Sita to Ashok Vatika after kidnapping her, she sent her ring to Ram with the help of Hanuman. She sent her ring to Ram as a memory of their relationship.

14.     Kamarband

“Kamarband” is a bracelet to be worn around waist after marriage. It adds up to the beauty of women. It has usually a ring attached to it for keys and is made of gold or silver. A woman wearing a Kamarband shows that she is the one who manages the whole family and home.

15.     Angutha and Bichua

It is basically a ring to be worn in the fingers of leg. “Angutha” is to worn on the thumb and “Bichua” is to be worn on fingers.Earlier these Angutha and Bichua were embedded with a very small mirror. When woman was blushing and could not see her husband eye to eye, she used to see her husband’s image in that mirror. Not just the husband but earlier when woman were not allowed to see elders directly, this mirror used to come handy in watching the person talking to.

Bichua is worn on 3 fingers of leg except the smallest one. During marriage bichua is gifted to a woman by her sister in law. This resembles that the bride will face all the forthcoming challenges with courage and honour.

16.     Payal

“Payal” or anklet has small bells attached to it which signals the coming newly wedded bride in home. Earlier elderly men used to give way to bride as soon as they heard the sound of bells in anklet.

Interesting fact of Payal is that earlier when child marriage was prominent, newly wedded woman was made to wear Payal with lot of bells. The reason was that whenever bride was nostalgic about her home, many bride used to run away to her home, thus the sound of bells will indicate the movement of bride in whole house.

Payal is made by silver because in hindu culture gold is considered auspicious since many god wear golden crown. It is also believed that by wearing gold in legs one disrespects their god.