Wedmegood.com - The significance of brides across India

According to the weatherly cycle, its winter but according to the whats going on around cycle, it’s the season of weddings. We have witnessed some multifarious weddings around us lately. From sportsmen to Bollywood stars, love has bought them closer and celebrations have been witnessed in the grandest way. What differiates the weddings is the style and how different cultures have made weddings worth the extravaganza. From hindu-christian , sindhi-south Indian, Punjabi-sikh and so on each wedding has been a totally novel affair. The importance here that I am pertaining to is that these cultures embark certain ceremonies that have value and much more meaning than just being a glamorous evening. The significance of each bit of a wedding means something that we forget or don’t know over the years. Whether it’s the kalire for a Punjabi bride or the veil for the Christian bride, they are much more than a wedding fashion accessory. Wedmegood is one platform where cultures and traditions are given importance and its one website where Indian marriages from all over are taken care of. Lets find out what some of the wedding accessories really mean.

To begin with, the popular and extravagant punjabi and North Indian brides, The kalire or the tassle like ornament is worn by a punjabi bride. The kalire are given by the maternal uncle and symbolise the shape of coconut which stands for prosperity and that the newly wed woman doesn't run out of food. Along with the kalire are the chooda, a set of 21 bangles traditionally in red and white and made of elephant teeth is known to bring fertility and increase bond among the couple.

Down in the south, where brides are dressed like goddesses since they represent goddess lakshmi coming into a new family.

In the southern part of India, Tamil brides are known to carry a beautiful kanjeevaram saree.Legend has it that the Kanchi silk weavers are descendants of Sage Markanda, who was considered to be the master weaver for the Gods themselves. Therefore wearing a kanjeevaram is like having a blessing. South Indian brides usually wear gold on the day as it is a way of having Goddess Lakshmi bless the marriage, The brides wear a jewellery called jadainagam. The Jadai nagam, of south India literally means the hair serpent. It is worn by brides to decorate the braided hair.

The rakkadi at the back of the head in the shape of the sun, symbolic of brilliance and power is followed by the crescent moon, evocative of calm and peace. The third piece is the fragrant thazhambu flower (screw pine)

Then comes the ruby and diamond-studded many headed divine cobra Ananta below whom are seen three rows of the cobra's coils. From here the jewellery for the braided hair starts. Designed in the form of flowers and buds; It consists of separate pieces interlaced to form a supple ornament. Towards the end of the braid it bursts out into 3 silk tassels held together by encrusted bells; the silk tassels too have undergone a change. Now they are done in pearls, gold chains or even diamond strings, depending on the expensive presentation of the Jadai nagam. (credit- manini’s blog¬¬)

Odiyannams or the kamarbandh are worn to keep the saree intact and are known to come in temple designs again to seek the blessings of God.

In the West, the Maharashtrians , brides are subtle and elegant. A saree in yellow colour is often chosen. A mundavalya is a thread emblished with pearls is tied on the forehead of the bride and bridegroom which shows that both of them are ready to get married. The golden cups that the mangalsutra holds in the center is placed directly over the woman’s Anahat Chakra or the fourth center flow of spiritual enery in a human body. The void in the golden cups represents draining of a woman’s emotion, sentiment and negative disposition of her body and mind. This ultimately takes the woman beyond karma or her worldly duties, rendering the ornament into something more powerful than a mere piece of jewellery. Vaaki and nath are the two other things that complete the bride, ofcourse not missing out on the flamboyant paithani saree.

In parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, A gharchola saree is worn which literally means the 'outfit for home' is gifted by the mother in law as a welcome gift. Along with that is a Panetar  saree or lehenga given by the maternal uncle. All of these have bandhani patterns which are known to bring good luck to a marriage since 4000 BC and the Ajanta walls have depictions of women wearing them. Rajasthani brides also wear a borla which is known to protect the women from evil.

Towards to East, we have the Bengali bride.

A Bengali bride wears a beautiful red and rich banarasi saree with the traditional topor. Topor is the white crown or mukut made from Sholapith that a malakar makes. The mythological story behind it is that Lord Shiva wanted to wear a mukut for his wedding and hence asked lord vishwakarma to make one. Hence Bengalis wear it as a good luck from Lord Shiva and Parvati. Pola and shankha bangles accomply the look which are red and white bangles.

In Christianity, the bride wears a veil along with the white dress. The veil signifies purity or at times even the virginity of the bride. It is like a symbol of beginning a journey of the two people. A Christian bride may also wear something blue on the wedding which shows purity and love , also acts like a protection from the evil eye.

A Islamic bride in a sharara usually chooses green as it is an auspicious colour. The bride also wears a gold coin wrapped in a piece of cloth tied by the mother in law as a welcome to the family.

Whether you are a south indian or a punjabi or a sindhi bride, you need a help in planning your wedding. You would need to find wedding photographers, makeup artists, venues, mehendi artists, etc. for yourself and party makeup services for your family. You dont have to worry if you have the wedmegood wedding planning app. You can find best vendors, tons of unique ideas, real wedding trends, wedding checklist, all on one platform. 

Visit wedmegood.com and let the site help you and your friends/family plan a wedding you can't wait to attend!