Mangalsutra…

Mangal means auspicious, sutra can be deciphered as a thread and these two words combine and make a single word Mangalsutra. 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. An inevitable part of Hindu marriage ceremony, Mangalsutra refers to a revered symbol of wedlock. India being a land of diversity different regions of the country have assigned different names.

Mangalsutra is the token of dignity and love given to a bride by her groom. On the wedding day, the groom ties the Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride, while the priest recites Vedic hymns and prays. Its very similar to wedding ring in western culture.It is also the symbol of union of two different people, i.e. the husband and wife. It can also be considered as the husband’s promise to his wife to live together.

Talking about the appearance, this sacred thread is made of two strings of small black beads with a locket or pendant. The small black beads are inserted in the Mangalsutra to protect the couple from the evil powers. Now-a-days, the trend of wearing Mangalsutra is changing. The form of the holy Sting is also changing. Instead of long golden sting women prefer to wear shorter ones. The pendants are also changing from golden to Diamond. With fast paced development, Mangalsutra has also become a fashion statement. Women now go for exclusive designs and are ready to experiment. Soap operas on the television which have significantly contributed in making Mangalsutra a fashion statement.

In spite of so many changes in the look and design of Mangalsutra, the significance and essence of it in the Indian Marriages remains unchanged.