Solah Shringar celebrates the bridal beauty in every aspect. The wedding season is round the corner and the beautiful venue, wedding attire and shopping for the wedding are some of the top most priorities. The bridal makeover is equally important; in fact, the most important part of the bridal preparations for the wedding. The bride’s beauty is a significant aspect of a wedding and this is not a recent phenomenon; the concept of Solah Shringar or the 16 adornments are the proof of this. Hindu culture, through its rituals, celebrates the appearance of the bride and equates the women’s beauty with the beautiful shades of the moon. Therefore, the Solah Shringar signifies the phases of the moon. Solah Shringar is done to bring happiness and prosperity to the home. If adornment is done with purity and divinity, then acting as an assistant of love and non-violence, it becomes a carrier to bring gentleness and love to society. That is why in Indian culture, 'Sixteen Adornments' is considered an important and integral part of a woman’s life. In the Rigveda, it has been said that sixteen adornments are done for bringing good luck. Solah Shringar includes two elements, i.e, 6 bodily adornments and 10 jewellery items. The bride is also equated with the Goddess Lakshmi for her being the goddess of fertility and prosperity. The Solah Shringar are the important beauty accessories which are necessary for a complete look of the traditional Hindu bride.
The traditional 'Solah Shringar' of the bride is included in the following list. This shringar has accessories for each part of the body and has all kinds of ornaments in it.
Bindi
The beautiful circular and colourful accessory stuck at the center of the forehead between the eyebrows of the bride is Bindi. The Bindi in modern times is changing in its shape as well and the brides go for bindis of varied geometric shapes. The Bindis are matched with the face shape and outfit of the bride.
Sindoor
The Hindu marriages are incomplete without the application of vermilion on the center parted hair of the bride by her husband. After this the bride is regularly supposed to wear this vermillion powder. In some traditions it is believed that the longer line of the vermilion will lead to the longer life of the husband. The Vermilion no longer comes only in powdered format but the liquid vermilion has also become trendy because of its easy use.
Kajal
The beautiful bride can become a victim of someone's evil eye and therefore since ancient times the Kajal has been used as a protector of the bride against the evil eye. The Kajal is applied along the eyelash line and waterline of the bride. This is also an eye cooling agent and adds glamour to the bridal look.
Mehendi
Applying ‘Henna’ or Mehendi is an old tradition. Earlier, the Henna leaves were dried and ground and then applied on the hands of the bride. Now ready made Henna is used. The deep colour of Henna is believed to signify the love which the bride receives from her husband. The Mehendi is applied on the hands and feet of the bride and the Mehendi design has a huge variety. The Mehendi function is an important ritual in the Hindu marriages.
Ittar
The beautiful fragrance coming from the bride is the depiction of her sensuality and beauty. The bride wears the perfume throughout her wedding. The perfumes also come in various varieties and natural perfumes are becoming trendy nowadays.
Gajra
The hair-do adds a lot to the bridal beauty. The bride when seen from behind can be recognised by her beautiful hairstyle as well. The Gajra is woven into the bride’s hair. The Gajra is usually made of jasmine flowers. The southern part of India is more fond of Gajra and everyone from young girls to married women wear gajra regularly.
In every culture, there are many jewels that a bride must wear after her wedding, according to cultural or religious customs. These jewels represent certain beliefs and values, and these make a bride look spectacular and majestic on her big day.
Jewellery plays a huge role in any traditional Indian Hindu wedding. Solah Shringar, which is a well-known term among Indians, signifies the accessories necessary for a married woman; and many jewels feature in it. While attires vary from state to state, brides from everywhere tend to follow the ritual of Solah Shringar. It is a tradition that every Indian Hindu bride should adorn herself with these 16 essential accessories on her wedding day. This list of items aims to celebrate the bond of marriage and a woman's femininity, health, fertility, and well-being by enhancing the look from head to toe. Solah Shringar includes a great deal of jewellery and it is thought to intensify the bridal appearance. So, let's discuss the beauty and significance of Indian jewellery that is essential in a traditional Hindu wedding.
Maang Tika
The Maang Tika is getting back its former charm as modern brides are returning to their roots and appreciating this beautiful bridal accessory. Maang Tika is an essential part of the bridal look so it is mostly in the same design and metal as your earrings, necklace etc.
Maang Tika is worn across the centre-parted hair and it is hung down towards the forehead. This accessory looks adorably Indian and it has the option to be chosen in a size that suits your face. The bride can go with a heavy Maang Tika if she has a larger forehead. For those beautiful brides with smaller foreheads, the smaller one will look much better.
The traditional belief is that the Maang Tika’s pendant part rests on the head of a woman and the head houses the chakra called agya, and this chakra stands for preservation. Therefore the Maang Tika represents the union of a bride and groom on all levels which include emotional, physical and spiritual level.
Necklace
Necklace , popularly known as ‘Haar’, is a piece of jewellery that is essential to every bride without fail. The Haar is usually of a marvellous design. The traditional necklaces were usually only created with gold but the modern necklaces are adorned with pearls or diamonds or coloured gemstones, that too, not only in yellow gold, but also, in white and rose gold.
It is also true that Indian diamond jewellery is becoming very famous among the fashionable brides -to- be, seeking to shine on their most memorable day. The necklace is created to cover the uncovered area of skin above the neckline of the bride. The Haar is therefore always made with vigilance, and attention to minute details and is large in size to look glamorous and majestic.
The mangalsutra, which is crafted in gold along with black beads and occasionally featuring diamonds, is also a necklace which is worn by the Hindu brides from almost all parts of India on their wedding day and even after marriage to indicate that they are married. Each community which has this tradition of wearing mangalsutra has its own design for the necklace.
Earrings
The earrings are always paired with the necklace, for obvious reasons. The beautiful coordination of the designs of all the wedding jewellery in India is the secret behind making the Indian bride a mesmerizing beauty.
Similar to the necklaces, the earrings worn by the Indian brides are supposed to be heavy in order to match the set, yet some brides prefer the more delicate pieces, for they are to be worn the whole day, and heavy ones may be uncomfortable to carry.
One should make sure that one chooses earrings and all the jewels keeping the wedding outfit in mind. To exemplify, diamond jewellery is best suited with subtle coloured lehengas or wedding sarees. Colours like baby blue, light pink, aqua or mint green of the fabric go really well with the blazing sparkle and lustrous gold and diamond jewellery. The traditional maroon and red wedding outfits; go beautifully with the pink and white gold. The sharp beautiful contrast of the rich and brilliant fabrics with the bright gold adds astonishing beauty to the bride. The bride should try to be trendy as well while choosing her ornaments.
Nose ring
The Nath, as the nose ring is known in India, has now become a global fashion accessory. Indian weddings, especially, cannot be complete without the nath as it is one of the symbols of marriage. Hinduism regards the ritual of nose piercing in high regard as it is thought to be a tribute to goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, who is also considered to be the goddess of marriage.
There are some places in India where only married women wear nose rings. It is also true that all the brides are not comfortable in wearing the nose rings and they may opt-out as well. The bride can choose anything, ranging from an elaborate ring connecting the nose and ear through a beautiful gold chain to a tiny stud.
The brides who do not have their noses pierced and still want to add the nose ring to their wedding look can choose to go for the clip-on varieties of the nose rings easily available in the market.
Bajuband
The arms of the bride are beautified by wearing the ‘Bajuband’ or Armlet. The armlet is also known as Angada and Ananta in some parts of India. This is an upper arm bracelet which was originally worn by men. Now the men do not wear the Bajuband (with a few exceptions) but the women do, even in their weddings. The armlets come in various shapes. They can also be shaped like a snake or a crocodile or fish, which gives the armlets an exotic look.
Bangles
It cannot be denied that the most noticeable part of the whole bridal look are the bangles adorning the forearms of the brides. It is amusing that the North Indian newlywed brides can be identified in any part of the world by their Bangles or Chuda which has to be worn for a year after the wedding or at least for forty days.
In India, it is believed that a married woman must not be without bangles as they are not merely a part of the jewellery worn by the brides but, they also represent the well being of the husband.
There are different kinds of bangles worn by the women in different parts of India based on their region and sect. They may wear the diamond or gold bangles or the bangles made of different metals. They may be made of glass and lac as well. The women usually wear bright red and green coloured bangles to signify their married status.
Finger Rings
The fingers of the bride are well decorated with the rings to add charm to her already marvellous look. The bride prefers to wear the rings which match her attire and other jewellery along with her engagement ring.
The rings can be of various designs. They can be pure gold bands or can be made from gold fitted with gemstones. The rings also signify the emotions of the bride and can be worn on any or all of the fingers.
Waistband
The natural feminine curves of the bride are enhanced by the waist band or ‘Kamarbandh’. The Kamarbandh can be made of gold or silver and is worn across the waist of the bride. The Kamarbandh though had lost its glory in the last few decades, has again gained popularity among the brides for giving a sensual touch to their bridal look.
Anklet
The ornament producing a gentle sound is the appropriate description of the anklet or as it is known in India - ‘Payal’. This makes the ear-pleasing announcement of the arrival of the bride or the newly wed woman. Along with its ‘bichhiya’, payal is the final step to complete the adornment of the bride from her head to feet.
Toe Rings
