 The word mangalsutra is the union of two words mangal means auspicious or shubh and sutra means thread. Mangal also represents the pleanet Mars hindi name Mangal. In most part of India in hindu tradition mangalsutra is worn by married women around the neck. Mangalsutra is tied by husband on the day of the marriage and worn by the women till her own death or death of her husband. It symbolises that a women is married. The mangalsutra is known differently in different parts of the country - 'thaali', 'thaaly', 'pustelu', 'maangalyam' or 'mangalsutram' in the southern states of India and 'mangalsutra' in the northern states. Design: Mangalsutra are made in many designs. The more popular ones are the Ramar/Pottu thaali (worn by the Telugus and Kannadigas), Ela thaali (worn by the Malayalees) and Kumbha thaali (worn by the Tamils of Kshatriya caste). The design is chosen by the groom's family according to prevalent customs. Gujaratis and Marwaris often use a diamond pendant. Maharashtrians wear a pendant of one or two vatis. The Bengali, Oriya and Assamese don't have the custom of Mangalsutra. Now days in most parts of India the mangalsutra is prepared from black beads separated by golden beads with a pendent in the centre. The pendent is designed in variety of ways but pendent of peacock shapes are considered auspicious as it symbolise love bond between husband and wife. A mangalsutra may be made in gold or silver. In North-Indian tradition, the necklace is often made of black / red glass beads or coral beads and strung with gold. In South India, the necklaces are often made from a colourful cord. The shape, size and number of gold pendant(s) used are rather dependant on the cultural background of the wearer. Significance of Mangalsutra: According to Hindu customs, mangalsutra symbolizes the inseparable bond between a husband and a wife. In Hindu marriages the husband ties the mangalsutra to the neck of the bride uttering- “May you live long by wearing this sacred Mangalsutra, the reason of my life”. It is believed that the wearing of the mangalsutra enhances the well-being of husband and family. It is also considered that the black beads present in the mangalsutra protect the marriage and the family from all evils. In certain local cultures, the groom ties the first of the three knots while his sisters tie the rest. Three knots symbolize three different aspects of a married woman - the first knot represents her submission to her husband, the second to her parents and the third represents her respect for God. It is also considered as the symbol of good luck. Wearing it brings good fortune. A woman parts with it only after her husband’s demise. A peacock is a symbol of a woman’s love for her husband.. It is believed that one made in gold is superior, since gold helps increase energy levels in the body and is symbol of prosperity. |
Posted By : Vinod Jindal on Jul 18, 2011 |
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