Solah Sringhar for Women, Indian Bridal Jewellery: A Story Worth Telling

Thehro! Laga Aau’n Naino’n Mein Kajra,
Choti Mein Goonth Aau’n Phoolon Ka Gajra,
Main To Kar Aau’n Solah Shringar Re, Thaare Rahiyo, Thaare Rahiyo O Baanke Yaar Re”

….. sings in Awadhi, the Lakhnavi Courtesan, Sahib Jaan (played by Meena Kumari), in the film Pakeezah.

When a bride enters all decked up in her Sola Shringar, she is the epitome of grace, elegance and beauty. She is in her strongest avatar, not just physically but mentally as well. The significance of a bindi, kamarband and mang tikka, along with other shringar, gives her the power to survive in the forthcoming chapter of her life.

Her appearance is a testament to the culture, values and traditions of Indian Hinduism.

Roop of Godess Rati in Solah Sringhar

Solah Shringar, the powerful story of sixteen enchanting adornments cherished by Hindu women, is an event of beauty and mythology intertwined. Its origin is deeply rooted in the stories of Rati, Goddess Laxmi, and the god of love, Kamdev.

The story begins with Rati initially not being considered beautiful, and her lack of affection from men made her sad. Determined to transform her fate, she started devotion, seeking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. In response to Rati’s faith and commitment to Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess bestowed upon her the divine gift of Solah Shringar, an intricate set of sixteen adornments.

These sixteen adornments are believed to possess the power to captivate one’s beloved and usher prosperity into one’s household. The power of Solah Shringar lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in the profound symbolism and cultural significance it carries. Although these adornments and their motifs vary by region, they still reflect the culture of India. reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of India.

With the grace of Solah Shringar, Rati’s life transformed, and she eventually became the cherished wife of Kamdev, renowned as the most handsome figure in the universe.

Solah Shringhar and its significance started with the story of Rati and Kamdev marrying each other.
Image Courtsey: pinterest

The 16 Adornments of Indian Bridal Jewellery

1. Sindoor

Starting from the topmost part of the body, the head is where the sindoor, also called vermillion, is put. It stands exactly at the midpoint of the forehead, ending at the foremost part of the head, or up until the midpoint of the head in some religions. It is also the first part of the recognition of a woman as a bride or married woman after the marriage.

Sindoor’s application was adapted by the Harappan women, who would put vermillion on their foreheads as a way to show that she was married and not open to accepting any other love relationships in their lives. It was a way to keep other men from approaching her to be married to him.

2. Maang Tikka

Over the top of the Sindoor application comes Maang Tikka, which is a symbol of wisdom, connecting the mind and heart. It represents the unity of thought and emotion, a balance of power and compassion that defines the feminine spirit.
The significance of Maang Tikka symbolises the strength of a woman’s intellect and her emotional depth. It is also believed that a mang tikka falls on a place where the Ajna Chakra, also known as “to know or perceive,” is above the centre of the third eye. The Ajna Chakra, known by its two petals, signifies that a woman is ready to connect with her partner on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.

3. Bindi

The Bindi, placed at the centre of a woman’s forehead, transcends its aesthetic charm. It’s the third eye, the seat of insight and perception. It represents a woman’s inner wisdom and her unique way of seeing the world.
In Indian culture, the Bindi is a spiritual reminder that a woman’s inner vision is a source of strength and knowledge, reinforcing the idea that she possesses profound wisdom and the power to discern truth from illusion.

4. Anjana

Moving from the head towards the toe, eyes are the adornments that do not require any special mention. It, in itself, speaks a language of its own. Also known as Kajal, Kohl, Surma or Kan Mai, these beauty products are famous across all religions in the world.
The black beauty of this adornment is believed to dismantle the evil eye in known cultures. This not only makes her eyes more beautiful but also enhances her overall appearance.

5. Nath

The Nath, adorning a woman’s nose, is a symbol of her fearless spirit. It adds a great charm to her face and signifies her ability to embrace life’s challenges with grace and courage. In Indian culture, nath represents a woman’s fierce individuality, her unique identity, and her unwavering strength to be true to herself, despite societal norms.
Here nath places an important place in a woman’s life as she gets into her married life. As a woman wears her nath, she is the mirror of courage, and encourages fertility in her life. It is also said that nose piercing eases menstrual cramps and labour pains. It controls the wavelength of the the brain and protects her from any negativity.

6. Kaan Bali

Called Jhumkhas, Jalukhas, chand baalis or Kaan Balis. These pieces of adornment are meant to enhance the grace and allure of her beauty. Kaan Phool is also linked with Karn, the god of love, which increases the gentleness and spiritual ability of the female avatar. It is also an acupuncture point that is known to ease menstrual cramps.

7. Haar and Kanthi

Necklaces carry the weight of tradition and family values. They are not just adornments, but legacies passed down through generations. Each piece of jewellery tells a story, connecting a woman to her ancestors and her roots. Wearing a necklace around the neck not only adds to your style but also has some surprising health benefits. It helps keep your blood circulation in check and can even help regulate your blood pressure, especially in women. So, apart from looking great, it’s also a little health boost!

8. BajuBand

Bajuband, also known as armlets, is worn as an adornment on the upper arm by brides and also by women on many other Indian occasions. It can be worn in silver or gold metal and is generally embellished with beautiful work and stones. It is quite the star of the show in Rajasthan and South Indian functions. It is believed that armlets help keep evil eyes and negative vibes at bay and resolve financial situations at home.

9. Kadas

The jingling of bangles is the music of a woman’s life, echoing her vivacity and spirit. Each bangle represents a moment in her life—a symbol of joy, prosperity, and the continuous circle of love. Probably this one does not need an in-depth explanation of why a woman wears bangles or Kadas as a bride or married woman. In some religions in north India, they perform a ceremony of wearing Chudas which are only removed after a year of marriage.
It is believed that wearing a bangle brings health, luck, and prosperity to the wearer. It comes in a variety of materials, ranging from lac, iron, silver, gold, and many more.

10. Haath Phool or Haath Panja

Haath Phool is an actual depiction of a hand flower, which is an ornament worn on the wrist connected to four fingers by a band in between. Haath Phool was before only made of Kundan and Jadau settings and was a popular piece of the Mughal era, It is now available with different motifs and techniques. There is also a Persian influence on this motif, as seen in the movie Padmavati.
The thumb ring, also known as Aarsi in some motifs, is connected to the wrist bracelet. This in the previous era was made of mirror work and was purposefully made to get a glimpse of the groom when her (the bride’s face) face was covered with a beautiful veil.

11. Kamarband

Also called a waistband, it is worn by women in north and south India to extenuate their bodies and build shape around the waist. It is also worn as a saree to stay in place while performing the rituals.
Kamarband is most commonly found in Nakshi Art work techniques done in antique and temple jewellery. However, you may also find this in Kundan work.

12. Bicchiya or Toe Ring

The toe ring symbolises married women, and in Indian culture, it is only worn by a Hindu married woman. A payal and toe ring are worn by married women to symbolise their individuality and the moments that have become distinct memories for them.
It is also related to the Each finger ring tells a unique story, symbolising a woman’s individuality and the moments that have touched her heart. They celebrate her distinct experiences and memories. Further to this, it is also said to control fertility-related issues in women.

13. Henna (Mehndi)

The intricate designs of Mehndi on a woman’s hands and feet are a work of art, proof of her artistic spirit and her connection to beauty. In Indian culture, it is known very traditionally that the darker the colour of your henna, the deeper the groom’s love for her.
The Mehendi ceremony holds a very special place in Indian weddings as it signifies the beginning of the auspicious occasions that are going to take place.

14. Shaadi ka Joda

Shaadi ka Joda, or the “Wedding Garment” is not just a piece of cloth; it is a connecting link to all other ornaments that brings the whole look together. It is a depiction of an Indian bride’s dream day and represents the change she will go through in the next chapter of her life.
Usually, a traditional wedding outfit is in red; however, with time, things have changed and there is no one colour that could define her identity but any that she feels confident in.

15. Attar

In vintage times, women’s hair was cleansed using a powerful incense stick, and the fumes were rotated around the hair to make it smell amazing, and that stayed for a long time too. But times have changed, and therefore attar is used, which is applied to her aura fresh throughout the day.

16. Hair accessories

Gajra, Phool or hair adornments are used to make the bride’s hair look prettier all the time. In traditional times, a braid was made with a mala of phool attached to it, which gave the hair a beautiful smell and look. Gajra or other types of flowers like roses and orchids are now used as hair adornment.

Now that you know the significance of all 16 Shrighar elements for your wedding day, you may want to bring the best of each adornment to your big day.. While we can surely be your maid of honour to bring the bride’s glow, today we can stick to helping you get the most suitable gem for you. So get in touch with our consulting team; we are ready to provide you with our KZL vows.