Hindu religion defines five essential signs of the marital status of women which are mangalsutra, sindoor, nose ring, toe ring, and bangles. Though each of the five signs is equally important mangalsutra holds special significance for a married Indian woman. Mangalsutra is termed as one of the most precious ornaments for Indian women as along with the sindoor it symbolizes her blessed fortune to have a long-lived life partner.
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Generally, a mangalsutra is made up of two strings of black beads that are usually small in size along with a gold pendant. Furthermore, the gold pendant comprises two or more comparatively bigger gold beads. These beads usually have the shape of a small bowl. These are the most basic specifications regarding the built and design, and variations in the designing patterns of mangalsutra are evident from state to state. Like, in contrast to a north Indian Mangalsutra that may be made up of plastic thread, a typical south Indian Mangalsutra is made exclusively with a cotton thread of yellow colour.
Today in the Indian subcontinent, mangalsutra has become a fashion statement as well. The influence of television serials and movies has presented it as a trendy ornament. Today, jewelry showrooms are packed with a vast variety of Mangalsutras. Generally, people prefer to buy gold mangalsutra, but now few other precious and semi-precious metals are also used in making mangalsutra. As per the affordability, one can choose from a wide range of gold-plated mangalsutra, silver mangalsutra, gold mangalsutra, or mangalsutra engraved with diamonds as well.
Though Mangalsutra is a tradition in all states of India, it essentially belongs to the married women of south India. In some states of south India Mangalsutra is also known as thalli, or Mangalam. In the southern belt of India, wearing Mangalsutra is a strongly followed custom. At the time of the South Indian wedding, there is an important ritual called Mangala Dharana (wearing the mangalsutra), wherein the mangalsutra is tied around the bride's neck with three knots.
In some traditions, the groom ties the first knot and the rest two are tied by the groom's sister. The significance of joining the beads in one string in the mangalsutra is that just like each bead contributes to the aesthetic necklace, the woman has to blend and integrate into the new family.
There are some traditional beliefs related to mangalsutra as well. It is believed that the black beads are the protector against the evil eyes of bad people. So married women wear the mangalsutra for the protection of their husbands and marriage.
Mangalsutra gifted by the groom to the bride represents his dignity and love towards her as well. Lastly, many ancient traditions have disappeared over time but the mangalsutra has been able to maintain its significance, and still no Hindu marriage is considered complete without the mangalsutra.
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