Significance of Solah Shringar for an Indian Hindu Bride

Significance of Solah Shringar for an Indian Hindu Bride

Every girl dreams to look the most beautiful one on her wedding day and makes several visions of that look. She visualizes everything from donning her attires to putting on make-up and every bit takes her in seventh heaven. When it comes to an Indian bride, then there are 16 ornaments (solah shringar) that a bride carries to adorn her beauty. In fact, it is a beauty ritual to not miss any of them to complete the bridal look. The 16 ornaments interestingly cover a woman from head to toe.

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Solah Shringar & Lunar Effects

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Many scientific and historical studies established a coherent relation between lunar and menstrual cycle, which was contradicted in 1996. The beliefs are ongoing in Hindu rituals that the 16 phases of the moon have a negative effect on the woman’s menstrual cycle. In traditions, the 16 adornments are considered to correspond to the 16 phases of the moon and are donned to nullify the negative effects.

Shringar incorporates ‘Shri’ in it, which is another name of ‘Laxmi’, the goddess of wealth, luck and beauty. The bride and newly married woman are considered and called Laxmi who brings prosperity with her.

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The wedding day is also believed to celebrate the divinity and beauty of the bride as she transits to womanhood, so the bride is given a divine emergence by 16 adornments. 

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Pre-Shringar: Ceremonial Bath 

This divine bath incorporates two steps.

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Hair Wash

The aroma oils are applied to the bride’s hair and then a mixture of herbs are used to wash hair. This mixture consists of Brahmi, Amla, Shikakai, Bhringraj and Aloe Vera.  

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Organic Scrub (Ubtan)

The secret to the radiant skin of bride is Ubtan that is applied to bride’s face, hands, arms and legs. This organic scrub is made of a mixture of various powders (sandalwood, turmeric, and gram flour), liquids (milk, oil) and some fragmented herbs. 

Needless to say, the bride looks graceful and oh-so-glowing after taking a bath.

What is Solah Shringar?

Solah Shringar alludes to the ritual whereby the Indian bride is embellished from the top of the head to the toe in sixteen kinds of adornments, covering almost every part of the body. It is a symbol of femininity and fertility as linked with the Goddess Lakshmi, who is the goddess of beauty, fertility and prosperity in the Hindu culture. Take a glimpse at the accessories and jewels which Solah Shringar encompasses.

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16 Adornments ( Solah Shringar) 

1. Bridal Dress (Shadi Kaa Joda)

It is an outfit that is the most important for a bride. A bride's shringar begins from the moment she selects her wedding dress, be it a lehenga or a saree. Only after this, other adornments follow accordingly matching the outfit. Traditionally a bride's outfit has to be in bright and vibrant colours like red and gold.

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Puranic :  

Red is considered an auspicious color and most commonly seen in wedding dress (fully or in combination with other bright colors). A veil covers the bride’s face, which symbolizes youth, modesty and virginity.

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2. Hairstyle

Traditionally known as keshapasharachana, the kesh or the hair is tied in an arrangement that is in sync with her wedding attire. It is then adorned with gajra (flower arrangement) and Jewellery on the forehead known as maang tikka.

Puranic :  

The three parts of hairs in a plate symbolize:

Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati-the three holy rivers of India

Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh- the trinity of Hindu Gods

The families of bride’s father, in-laws and her own that unites both of the families

One Purana says that the bride’s open hair may enchant the groom, so they are tied up.

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3. Hair Accessories

This accessory is made of precious stones, gold or silver and worn in the center parting of hairs; it ends till forehead. To highlight the allure of bride, one other accessory mandoria is worn; it is a strand of pearls. This is tied across the forehead on either side.

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Puranic : 

This symbolizes the third eye and is said to empower the spiritual energies and intuitive power.

As this prime accessory is placed on the sixth chakra (ajnachakra) of the forehead, it represents the power of soul and signifies concentration, control and preservation. 

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4 Bindi : Sacred Mark on Forehead

The sacred symbol of a married woman, Bindi is donned on the centre of the forehead. It is a circular red dot of vermilion powder. A bride decorates red and white bindies along the eyebrows as well.

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Puranic: 

It is believed that a mystical eye rests at this place, which enables bride to see the future. It sensitizes her about if something bad is destined in future.

This spot (agna) is considered to be a house where wisdom lies and experiences gather in concentration. While meditation, kundalini or energy rises from the base of spine to this spot, so this is said to be a ‘command centre’.

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5. Vermillion (Sindoor)

During the wedding rituals, this sign of wedlock is applied by the groom to the bride’s central parting of the hair. Its red color represents the fertility power of a woman and is believed to be auspicious.

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Puranic: 

This sacred mark symbolizes the energy of Parvati and Sati. It is believed that if a woman wears sindoor, goddess Parvati wards off evil spirits and safeguards her husband, bestowing a longer life.

It attracts cosmic energy and bestows prosperity, good fortune and good health.

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6. Kohl (Anjana or Kajal)

Traditional kohl is made of soot of earthen lamps (diya or deepak) and applied on the upper and lower rims of the eyelids.

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Puranic: 

It is believed that the bride may be afflicted by the bad eyes as she looks dramatically beautiful, so kohl is applied to ward off the evil eyes and safeguard the bride.

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7. Nose Ring (Nath)

A nose ring is made of pearls, gems and diamonds and worn in left nostril. Some nose rings are extended till left ear by a chain that is hooked across the cheek and tucked to the hair.

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Puranic : 

Nose ring symbolizes spirituality, royalty, bravery and rite of passage

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8. Ear Rings (Karn Phool or Jhoomars)

Ear rings are worn after ear piercing and comes in various designs with embedded gems, stones and diamonds.Jhoomar is an ear ring with hanging design and made of gold.

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Puranic : 

The temple design of jhoomar is considered to be auspicious

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9. Chain & Necklace 

(haar and MangalSutra) 

A chain (often of gold) is worn by the bride and a necklace of black beads is put by groom during the marriage rituals. This black-beaded necklace is called Mangal-sutra and embellished with gems, stones and diamonds.

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Puranic: 

As it symbolizes the marriage, a bride wears it lifelong

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10. Armbands or Armlets (Baajuband)

Armbands are worn on the upper arm, often on the sleeves of blouse and made of gold, pearls, diamond or silver. Mugal, Jaipuri or Rajasthani are the most popular designs of armlets.

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Puranic :

It is said the armbands protect from the evils by keeping them away

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11. Henna (Mehndi)

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The day before the marriage, henna paste is applied in various intricate designs and patters to hands and feet of both bride and groom. When washed off, the henna leaves an orange-red color.

Sacred Red Ink Made of Plants (Aalta or Mahur or Mahavar)

In some parts of India (for example Bengal and tribal areas) a red-colored ink called aalta is applied to the outer border of feet.   

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Puranic: 

It is said that the darker is the color of mehandi, the deeper will be the love of your soul mate.

Henna is believed to keep the misery, diseases, and death away, by protecting from evil effects. Henna signifies the essence of love, strength of the bond and connection between the bride and groom.

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12. Bangles and Bracelets

(Choodiyaan & Kangan)

Bangles are another sign of marriage and worn in the wrists of the hands. These are made of glass, iron, metal, ivory, ceramic and gold.

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Hanging String (Kalira)

Some brides (like Punjabi and Sikh) add bright and attractive kaliras to bangles.

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Puranic: 

There is a tradition that a newly married woman shouldn't perform the chores until her wedding bangles are not removed.

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13. Thumb Ring (Arsi)

Along with the other rings, a bride also wears the thumb rings; the ring incorporates small mirrors.

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Puranic:

As the bride carries a veil, the embedded small mirrors help her taking the glimpse of her life-partner and herself.

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14. Waistband (Kardhani or Kamarband)

Waistband is a beautiful belt that is tied around the waist. It is embellished by the gems and precious stones. This ornament not only enhances the beauty, but also helps keeping the sari or dress in place.

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Puranic:

The waistband is made of gold, which portrays a sign of future success. Some people connect it with the health of the couple's future child

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15. Anklets & Toe Rings

(Payal or Pajeb and Bicchuaas)

Anklet is a chain made of silver and worn in feet. This beautiful accessory owns tiny bells on its edges, which make rhythmic sound when a bride walks or moves.

Toe rings are donned in the second toes of the feet, which symbolize marriage.

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Puranic:

Anklets are worn by a bride to draw the attention of her presence and announce her entry to her groom’s house and life.

These anklets are made of silver, not gold because gold is respected as the God. It is considered that wearing them in the lowest part of the body (feet) is disrespectful and a bad omen. 

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16. Scent (Itra or Itar)

This is applied to bride for keeping her smell nice; it keeps her fresh during the lengthy rituals of the wedding.

Puranic: 

The long-lasting sweet fragrance of scent signifies the positive and pleasant aura, which is believed to keep the atmosphere auspicious and welcoming.

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From rich to poor and metro cities to villages, almost all the Indian families believe in these traditions and follow them whether they know the implications or not. However, Indian weddings are full of colors and brightness. 

Needless to say, some modern twists are given to them, but still, they are dramatic and worth watching. 

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