Jewellery

Solah Shringaar Bangles

18:34:00

In this edition we will discuss some more adornments that comprise the ‘Solah Shringaar’.

Solah shringaar of a woman is incomplete without bangles or kangan. Bangles as an accessory are extremely popular and look wonderful on the wrists of girls of all ages. They add irresistible brightness and charm to the wearer and are available in a splendid variety of designs and colours.

For a bride, besides adding beauty to the wrist, they uphold a greater significance. They are symbolic of long life of the husband and good fortune and prosperity; hence an absolute must on the wrist of a newlywed. Bangles are, thus, not just an accessory, but also a part of her identity.

Jewellery

Solah Shringaar Kamarbandh

18:33:00

The next adornment that is equally breathtaking is the kamarbandh or kardhani (waist band). It is also known as sash, patka, phenta, girdle or tagdee.

It is one of the finest and striking embellishments adorned by women and can add a dash of glamour to any outfit; be it a saree, lehenga or even a gown. It has been an integral component of a dancer’s attire expounding the classical Indian dance forms, such as Oddisi, Bharatnatyam, and Kathak.

Solah Shringaar

Solah Shringaar Kaajal

18:33:00

The next adornment as a part of shringaar is the application of kaajal in the eyes.

Kaajal or kohl can lend extra beauty to the eyes by defining them. It is a makeup essential for the Bharatnatyam dancers, to draw attention to their eye gestures and movements. It is even applied to the eyebrows and eyelids to further enhance the eye.

Egyptian queens and noble men have used kohl even in the BC era. In fact, the word Kohl is an Arabic word and its substitute ‘surma’ is derived from the Persian word sorme.

Festival

Navratri: 9 Days, 9 Goddesses, 9 Colours

13:53:00

India is a land rich in tradition and culture, vibrant festivals and energetic celebrations. Navratri, a Sanskrit word literally meaning “Nine Nights”, is an important Hindu festival of worship and dance, celebrating the victory of good over evil. During each of these nine nights, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Every day, she assumes a new avatar, a new look, and a new duty.

Since each day is dedicated to a particular form of Goddess Durga, each day has a different colour attached to it. Every colour represents a particular quality of the Goddess and so devotees wear clothes and decorate their idols in the stipulated colour, corresponding to the colour of the Devi’s garments.

Jewellery

Solah Shringaar Bajuband

15:02:00

Bajuband is a beautiful piece of jewellery worn on the arms. Crafted with traditional and mythological motifs, the bajuband is a great piece of ornament to make a style statement for all occasions. It is a perfect adornment that goes well with short sleeved or sleeveless, traditional and modern attire.

Festival

Solah Shringaar Mehendi

14:43:00

Mehendi or Henna has adorned the hands and feet of women for ages. Initially, even men applied it, but as time passed the trend decreased. In some communities men apply it as a symbol of auspiciousness on important occasions like weddings.

Mehendi is very popular in the Arab countries as well and has served as a symbol of good luck, health and prosperity. Therefore, henna on hands is a perfect beginning for any festive and happy occasion.

Jewellery

Solah Shringaar Earrings

13:15:00

Earrings are a beautiful piece of jewellery that complements every woman.

As per the tradition, the ear lobe piercing known as Karnavedh Sanskar is an important ceremony in Hindu households. It is usually performed in the 6th or 7th month after birth or in the third, fifth or seventh year after birth. For a girl child, left ear is pierced first and if done on a male child, right ear is pierced first.

Jewellery

6 Awesome Jewellery Designs to Flaunt this Festive Season

14:02:00

After the beautiful festival of Raksha Bandhan, we wait for two more festivals with much longing and impatience. Yes, they are none other than Janmashtmi and Ganpati. Janmashtmi is celebrated with great pomp and fervour in the northern and western states of India, while Ganpati has more followers in the western and southern states of India.

However, like any other festival, these festivals also mean visiting temples and houses of friends and family for ‘darshan’ and partaking sumptuous sweets like modaks, laddoos, panjiris, coconut barfis and halwa. Fasts, darshans and pooja aside, festivals also demand that you dress up to the nines and don your best jewellery.

Jewellery

Solah Shringaar Hairstyles

19:46:00

This edition elaborates on the importance of Hairstyles as adornments and sringaar for the Indian women. 

Keshpashrachana, (Kesh-pash-rachana) – Hair-flock-Arrangement

Our hair – our crowning glory do not just make us look good; there’s lots more to our hair. It is believed that a woman who has thick hair will have many children, farms and riches therefore in earlier times women were proud of their very long braids some even extending well below their hips.

Jewellery

Solah Shringaar - Mangalsutra

19:23:00

Welcome to another edition of our series on Jewellery – The Ultimate Accessory. It’s been quite rewarding writing this series as many of our readers have appreciated the information shared and thanked us for changing their perspective towards jewellery from a mere adornment to something that is traditionally and physiologically vital. One of our readers bought a pair of anklets and toe rings after understanding the health benefits of wearing the same. She has sent us a thank you note for helping her as she now feels more energized throughout the day and is much happier. What more could we want! We would love to serve you better; so do keep writing to us with your experiences, feedback and suggestions.

This edition elaborates on the importance of Mangalsutra and Hairstyles as adornments and Shringaar for the Indian women.

MangalSutra: ‘Mangal’ means auspicious and ‘Sutra’ means thread or cord. Mangalsutra is one of the most important ornament of an Indian married woman as it symbolizes the inseparable bond between the husband and the wife. Women of almost all the communities wear this traditional ornament.

Festival

Gifting Ideas for Raksha Bandhan

19:23:00

5 Lovely Gifting Ideas for the Raksha Bandhan

As a child you might have fought with your sibling. He might have pulled your pigtails or eaten your stashed away goodies. She might have hidden your favourite Hot Wheels car or bitched about your girlfriend behind your back. But there would have been times when you had defended your sibling or taken the punishment on his or her behalf. Yes, that is the love between a brother and a sister. Pure and unconditional.

Jewellery

Jewellery to Boost your Personality at Work

14:29:00

3 Ways Jewellery Can Boost Your Personality at Work

Since time immemorial, the human kind has been a patron of jewellery; hence wearing jewellery comes to us quite naturally. Whether it is going to college or attending weddings and other social parties, women love to deck up in jewellery. But, when it comes to wearing jewellery to work, women often face a dilemma, “Should I or not?”.

Jewellery if worn appropriately, and without much ado, can work wonders for you at work. Let us tell you how.

Solah Shringaar

Solah Shringaar - Sindoor

11:22:00

The next integral part of Solah Shringar is the Sindoor/ Vermillion.

The most important custom of every Hindu wedding is Sindoor Dana, in which the groom puts Sindoor (red vermillion powder) in his bride’s partition thus symbolising her marital status. In some communities, it is applied by the groom’s mother to welcome the bride in their family. This ritual has a lot of traditional significance.

Solah Shringaar

Solah Shringaar - Bindi

11:20:00

The next essential component of Solah Shringaar is the Bindi. Bindi derives its name from the Sanskrit word Bindu meaning a point.

It’s worn on the forehead between the eyebrows. The place has a special spiritual significance. It’s considered to be the position of Ajna Chakra which represents intellect and intuition - also referred to as the third eye. The place between the eyebrows is also considered to be the exit route of powerful kundalini energy. Bindi is used as a block to this exit – to preserve the kundalini. This logic explains why men too sport a tilak on important occasions. In some cultures men wear a tilak on everyday basis as well.

Solah Shringaar

Solah Shringaar - Nath

11:20:00

Hope you enjoyed reading the previous article on Maang tikas. In this edition, we bring to you more insights of Solah Shringar.

Let’s begin with the Nath, the accessory worn on the nose. It is known by different names as nathni, koka, laung or mukkuthi in different parts of India. Sonam Kapoor and Vidya Balan should be given the credit for bringing this accessory back into trend and making it look so fashionable. Both of them sported the nath at the Cannes Film festival and earned quite a few brownie points for their traditional yet glamorous look.