Mangalsutra
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A mangalsutra (also mangala sutra or mangalasutra) is an Indian symbol of Hindu marriage, consisting of a gold ornament strung from a yellow thread, a string of black beads or a gold chain. It is comparable to a Western wedding ring, and is worn by a married woman until her husband's death.
Mangalsutra is one such symbol of marriage. It is not just a jewelry item it has lots of significance to an Indian married woman. It is a sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by married women as a symbol of their marriage.
The groom ties it around the neck of the bride on the day of their marriage signifying their union. It is known by different names in different states of the country.
According to Hindu culture, there are five signs of marital status of women. They are mangalsutra, Toe rings, Kumkum, bangles and a nose ring. Mangalsutra is the most important among them.
The word mangalsutra means an auspicious thread or cord. It is also called मंगळसूत्र (Marathi: मराठी) or தாலி-thaali (Kannada: ತಾಳಿ) or thaaly or maangalyam (Kannada: ಮಾಂಗಲ್ಯ) in Kannada,Tamil and thaali/maangalyam/mangalsutram/pustelu in Telugu in Southern India.
It is probably passed from South India to North India.
Mangalsutra are made in numerous designs. If a marriage is arranged, the pattern is usually chosen by the groom's family according to their customs. Gujaratis and Marwaris often go for a diamond pendant. Maharashtrians wear a pendant of one or two vatis. Bengalis often have coral added to the design.
Mangalya dharanam (literally "wearing the mangalya") is the most important part of a Hindu marriage ceremony. The mangalya is strung on a yellow thread prepared by using Turmeric paste. It is tied around the bride's neck with three knots. In some families, the groom ties the first and his sisters tie the rest. Later the mangalya may be restrung on some auspicious days.
[edit] References
- An Ornament of Beauty by Ganesh Joshi published in Woman's Era, January 2007.
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