Shankha and Pola : Customs and Bangles Bangali Women Wear

Customs and Bangles Bangali Women Wear

Hindu Bengali Women: The Symbols of Marriage

All these are symbols of marriage for Hindu Bengali

women. Many believe that wearing these could ward off bad omens. Check out Types of Bangles Worn By Indian Married Women.

Four main Symbols are:

1. Shankha

      Shakha are white bangles of conch-shell.

2. Pola

      Pola are red bangles made of red corals.

3. Loha

      Loha is a bangle made of iron. It is worn only in the left hand. It may or may not be              covered by gold.

4. Sindoor

     Sindoor is vermilion which is applied on the parting of the hair. Usage of sindoor by a

     woman implies that she is already married.

Shakha & Pola are pairs of conch shell specially Shakha the white bangle is made of conch shell, crafted & polished out of conch. Shakha and pola are worn in both the hands. Shakha & Pola are a symbol of a married woman. It is to be seen that within one year of the marriage, they do not break. If anything of that sort happens, it is not considered good omen for the married life of the bride.

Custom of Bengal

This custom is most popular in eastern part of India.In west bengal according to the Bengali culture the Shakha & pola has a great significance. Before the actual Bengali marriage day in the wee hours of very day, married women perform ritual called Dodhi Mangal in which they soak bangles made with shells in turmeric mixed water. Seven married women put shankha pola into bride’s hands. It symbolizes as seven forms of Goddess. According to the folk stories it is believed that this shankha pola custom belongs to poor fishermen because they can’t afford expensive jewelries. The bride has to wear Pola between Shankha or iron metal bangles. It is said that the iron bangle provides firmity to the relation & helps to balance the positive & negative power.

According to me this custom is another golden page of a married life. Shakha & pola are nature's blessing to the married woman. It's a naturally made shell just needs to be carved with care & patience. The Shakha though seems to be firm may get brittle if handled carelessly. Similarly in a married life the bride needs to make sure that she fulfills her responsibility without losing her charm, sensitivity & morals accompanied with auspicious thinking.
It's not mere a decor item but it's a proud for a married woman.
Traditionally whenever a married woman applied vermilion/sindur on her forehead as a symbol of being married she also applies a little vermillion on the left shakha.
Though nowadays Shakha & pola are quite expensive & not that cheap as it was before but still this wonderful tradition goes on without any hindrance.

Bengalis, don't have a concept of the Mangalsutra or Black thread(Nalla Pusa). Thay have the Shakha and Paula which tells others that a woman is married along with sindoor. In case, of death of the husband, a close relative has to break those two bangles with some rock near the funeral. That trend is fast changing now. Modern Bengali women rarely wear it anymore.

Dodhi Mongol(3rd Pre-Wedding Ritual) 

At dawn on the day of marriage seven married ladies adorn the bride's hands with the traditional bangles Shakha and Paula - one pair of red and one pair of white bangles, and feed her a meal of curd and rice, nowadays other dishes as well, the only meal after which the bride and her parents fast the whole day.

Why Shankh and Pola

According to some people, It might be that zamindars' wives used to wear them to match their red-and-white shankha polo bangles that all married Bengali women wear. Their sindoor too which is more reddish than orangey-red - as it is in other parts of India - and their alta. And then it caught on to the lower orders'.

Bengali Saree- Red and White
White represents purity and singleness but a married woman doesn't make a house alone, she has to live with and deal with a lot of people hence the thick border of red.

White is used to indicate purity and chastity of a woman; however, complete white was reserved for widows in Hindu society so for married women the red border was used to distinguish. Bridal wear is red and the red border symbolizes her fertility and fidelity and thus her power.

Conclusion

The fascination for red color in Bengali culture is immense to say the least. Just look at the color of the vermilion that gives the exotic combination of red and black. Also look at their hand, the same red and white combination.

Are you a Bengali? If yes what are your preferences? In not do you want to adapt to Bengali tradition?

Imitation Jewellery

The Fashion of Imitation Jewelry

The competent imitation jewelry makers require a big reward, given that they have reconstructed the tendency and have replaced these low-cost jewelleries for silver, that expensive gold and platinum. Certainly, women would rather make use of this cost-effective jewelry not just on their body, but even on clothing, bags and each of their exclusive extras.

Source :www.fashion-era.com

The artist collections are manufactured from the myriad of components including beans, glass, paper, satin ribbons, bling and there is a thorough usage of semi-precious gems like rhinestones, cubic zirconia - the most popular imitation stone. If they are occur perfect materials like polished iron, brass and nickel, they become positively pretty and have huge demand, across the world. check out Signs Of Imitation Jewellery

The phrase 'bling' is very common in the realm of designer jewelry, as the bling selection has an attitude, flashy and is classy. It is popular to locate designer diamond in bracelets, charms, bangles, toe rings, anklets, finger rings, earrings and whatnot. However, the toughness with this diamond is dependent upon the supplies and alloys used to produce them. Because it is affordable, beautiful and stronger than gold, some jewellers prefer to employ silver. The base alloys have a covering of silver or gold, to make them more fascinating.

Anyone can own an exclusive collection of contemporary designer jewellery. Even celebrities elegant for this type of jewellery, since it mimic the first jewellery with startling likeness. Additionally, the customers have a lot of choice to decide on and it is ideal for girls who want to pick from a selection of preferences. Modern girls desire for replica jewellery, as upkeep is fairly uncomplicated. They are designed by seasoned manufacturers with metals that are resistant to all weather conditions and weather factors including water. It is possible to enhance them once in some time to restore the initial shine and the brand new look, while frequent polishing is not required by them. check out for Imitation Jewellery Online

Modern diamond can perk up any attire; exhibit unique feeling of dressing; express uniqueness of the wearer; or can be used to enhance additional items. Artist diamond will certainly continue to attract and appeal to women using its inherent characteristics since new and refreshing designer collections are unveiled for every lifestyle and every year. Girls out of every part of this planet desire employing contemporary designer diamond, as they are not limited to a certain race or geographical spot.

Imitation jewellery has-been popular amonst the people that cannot pay the platinum. But nowadays with all the contemporary designer diamond, it has achieved a dazzling height, as never before that it has ended up to be an integrated section of ladies dressing. Designer jewellery is about excellence and extravagance. It gives first-rate search for for any celebration and both casual and formal costumes. They make an invincible design record that women are happy with checking them within their accessory assortment.

Trends for Fashion Jewellery

As trends come and go, fashion jewelry is a term used to describe any piece that is in style and not constructed from valuable metals or stones. It is a versatile category that includes a variety of materials, such as rubber, metal, plastic, acrylic, and semi-precious stones.

Fashion Jewellery & Statement Jewellery

Fashion Jewellery & statement jewellery

Fashion jewellery never felt this good! Experience the unique sensation of revolutionary style with lola and grace; jewelry and accessories for forward-thinking fashionistas.

1) Less is more

Bold pieces should be allowed to stand out, so do not over-crowd your look by wearing them within close proximity of each other. It is preferable to wear one at a time, but if you do want to wear more than one statement piece, make sure not to wear statement bracelets and rings together and avoid wearing statement earrings and necklaces at the same time.

Chandelier earrings and a cuff bracelet can look beautiful when worn together, while a long necklace and a cocktail ring can match perfectly. Just make sure to select items that coordinate. Try to stick with the same kind of metal and avoid clashing patterns and charms. check for how to save jewellery from discoloration.

Layered chain necklaces can look extremely charming if worn correctly. Keep your look tasteful by making sure that you do not layer too many strands together and keep tabs on how much sparkle you layer on.

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Avoid wearing long chain necklaces, however, if you are wearing a belt, as there will be too much going on around the same area. Wide chokers and bib necklaces can stand to be your sole statement piece, so let such items take center stage and forgo other pieces of jewelry.

2) Make it Simple

Big accessories are best worn with simple clothes. Steer clear of busy patterns and embellishments such as sequins when wearing bold jewelry. Remember, you want your statement piece to stand out, so match items wisely.

A little black dress is the perfect match for one or two attention-grabbing pieces, while jeans and a pure white top will make an ideal backdrop for something big, bright and colourful. Try to stick to neutral and block colour items when wearing bright and detailed accessories. Less busy pieces can work very well with patterned items of clothing, however.

Don’t pull the focus away from your bold jewelry. Coordinate smaller accessories with your statement pieces by keeping them to a minimum and sticking to the same colour or metal.

3. Choose earrings wisely

Statement earrings are beautiful, ornate and cannot be missed. They will be the first thing that anyone talking to you will notice. To make sure they frame your face, choose a pair that suits your face shape and enhances your features. Choosing the wrong pair can be distracting, so take details such as length, colour, shape and outfit coordination into consideration when choosing adornment for your ears.

When wearing dangly statement earrings, it is better to keep your hair sleek and not too big. Remember, it’s all about balance, so while you can pump up the volume with simple earrings, larger ones will balance better with loose waves or poker-straight hair. check for Fashion jewellery online.

Alternatively, pull your hair up into a chic chignon. Also make sure that your make-up balances well with your earrings. If you are wearing a brightly coloured pair, they may look best with clean and simple makeup.

4. Match the right necklace with the right neckline

The best way to make sure a statement necklace stands out is to wear it with the right neckline. Strapless, off-the shoulder, scoop necked or v-necked dresses and tops are ideal, as they will let your statement piece do the talking.

Collars, halter necks and detailing close to the face should be avoided, as they will clash with bold pieces. A one-colour turtle-neck sweater can work beautifully with a statement necklace, provided that it is form-fitting and one colour throughout.

Make sure to wear a statement necklace next to a simple and preferably one-colour top to keep the look chic and to do your necklace justice. You can never go wrong with neutral tones, so wear bright and attention-grabbing necklaces with black, white or nude to keep the look elegant.

Statement necklaces have been a huge trend for a while now, and it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere any time soon. For good reason, too: the right statement necklace can bring any outfit to the next level. A really glam one can transform a plain outfit into something special, and a particularly large one might be the only accessory you need with a certain dress.

My personal favorite way to wear statement necklaces is to pair them with something that is otherwise boring, like a plain dress or a t-shirt and jeans. They’re such an easy way to dress up something simple, and can be worn in so many different ways. But because they make such a, well, statement, these pieces of jewelry can sometimes feel a little intimidating. And that’s why these style tips are here – to give you new ideas you never thought of, or inspiration to come up with your own awesome outfit.

Temple Jewellery

Uniqueness Of Temple Jewellery

The jewelry, which is used for Bharatanatyam is usually called as temple jewellery. There are various kinds of such jewelry. Quite similar to other jewelry sets, it comprises of Ghungroo, Oddiyanam, Chudiya, Nathni, Bindi, Surya, Chandra, Mattal, Jhumka, 2 arm bands, Short Mala and Long Mala. They are suitable for many classical dance forms of India. Bharatanatyam jewellery online is the best source from where one can buy these jewelries.

In order to buy bharatanatyam jewellery sets online, one simply needs log in to the concerned website, choose the jewelry of one’s choice and provide all the essential information regarding your name, address, mobile number before giving an order. Just within a few minutes the delivery will be made at the threshold of your door. What you need to do is to check you delivery and see whether you have been delivered the same jewelry which you had ordered online.

Bharatanatyam jewellery is famous all over India. Bharatanatyam dance is one of the most preferred dances all over the country. It is a classical dance form which claims its source from Southern part of India, Tamil Nadu. Many sculptures in Hindu temples are dependent on the postures of Bharatanatyam dance called as karanas. Temple jewellery has intricate designs which are ooze grandeur and unique. Being adorned with abundant intricate gemstones and diamonds, these ornaments are composed of 22K pure yellow gold, which has an image of a Hindu deity.

Influences over the Years

Temple Jewellery has in recent times gained a lot of momentum on fashion ramps and bridal exhibitions, apart from being patronized by classical Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi dancers. Temple jewellery is indeed a rich heritage of India, which has been originated in South India during the Chola reign in the 9th century.  The present imitation and gold forms of Temple jewellery depict the ancient form, however, with slight modifications to suit the contemporary customers. From coin necklaces to chunky jhumkas, there are a lot of Temple accessories that have become a huge hit with women belonging to all ages, particularly amongst brides.

The main base of temple jewellery is gold, although silver and other metals are also available and are inexpensive in comparison. Temple jewellery is embellished with precious and semi precious gems and pearls to give them a classic appearance. They are also embellished with polki and kundan stones, which are characteristic of North Indian jewellery. Temple Jewellery comes in various designs and motifs such as swans, peacocks, lotus flower, gods and goddesses, royal figures etc. The range of jewellery starts from something as small as a nose ring to big chunky necklaces. Some pieces of temple jewellery are worn occasionally like armlets, head adornments, anklets, waist belt and nose rings.

Temple jewellery with its priceless historical value and intricate designs has captured the Indian jewellery market and is also increasingly being demanded in overseas markets. These pieces of jewellery are symbolic of the rich Indian traditions and are unlikely to go out of fashion for a long time to come.

Caring for your temple jewelry

Even though it is not made of gold and silver, there is still metal involved. Thus, your temple jewelry needs to be taken care of in order to prolong its life. As a thumb rule, avoid cleaning any kind of jewelry in the sink. Instead, make use of a bowl.

In order to clean your temple jewelry, use warm water and detergent in a bowl. Soak your jewelry in it and then brush it softly with an old toothbrush. Post that, take a sieve it and keep it under running water. Dry it with a soft cloth and your jewelry would be as good as new.