Since time immemorial, Indian brides-to-be have been taught the importance of ‘Solar Sringaar’. The sixteen pieces of adornment are not only the symbols of a bride’s marital status, but have deep-seated implications. Even Indian mythology has some interesting examples. Remember the episode from the epic Ramayana of the sage Valmiki when Anusuya gives her ornaments to Sita and tells her that a married woman should always be adorned with Solar Shringaar! We also find references to Shringaars in Jayadeva’s epic poem Geet Govind when Radha asks Lord Krishna to adorn her body with jewels, her hair with flowers, put a hindi on her forehead and earrings in her ears when it is time for her. leave. home. Sringaar pieces not only serve the purpose of honoring the woman, but are also important displays of her social status.
Popular culture wants us to believe that our heritage, our customs and rites have no logical basis. However, contrary to this, these rituals are a development of scientific study and research. Indian sages and seers were scholars of astrology, Ayurveda, and astronomy. Their research provides us with appropriate explanations behind the ornaments.
There are only sixteen elements of embellishment of a bride and neither more nor less. It is because the Solah Shringaar corresponds to the sixteen phases of the moon that are linked to a woman’s menstrual cycle. This has a negative effect on the physical and mental well-being of the woman. Our ancient sages believed that these effects could be nullified by using the sixteen items of cosmetics and jewelry. There are scientific reasons behind every Shringaar item that enhances a bride’s beauty. The reasons help make her more adept at her wifely duties.
Shringaars that add colors
Sindoor is the most important element of Solah Shringaars. It symbolizes not only the beginning of a woman’s marriage, but also the beginning of her sexual life. It is applied to the middle parting line of the bride’s hair, where the brahmarandra opening is located, which is the point of balance for the woman. The mercury present in the sindoor helps cool down the bride. After marriage, the free-spirited girl becomes a woman and has to take on the responsibilities that can weaken her. The sindoor is very important for a bride as it will help her maintain her serenity and peace.
to bindi, worn on the forehead between the eyebrows it beautifies the bride in an instant and makes her fair features even more beautiful. The bindi not only accentuates her features but activates the woman’s Ajna Chakra or brow chakra through the pressure that the weight of the bindi applies. Ajna, which translates as ‘command’, is believed to be the eye of intuition. This chakra acts as a gateway for all the spiritual energy coming from the environment. It also protects the chakra from surrounding negative energy. The bride is expected to fulfill her duties with ease, so her Ajna Chakra must be properly activated to enable her to maintain her mental balance in her new home and absorb the new energies.
mehndi, the most basic component of the Solah Shringaar, it not only gives color to the arms and feet of the bride, but also has medicinal properties. Weddings are serious business in India and can get very cumbersome. Therefore, the night before the wedding, mehendi or henna is applied to the arms and feet, at home to the nerve endings in our body, to de-stress and soothe them. Also, the mehendi heals minor cuts and bruises that the bride might have sustained during the preparations.
Kohl, used since the times of the Greek queen Cleopatra, it not only makes the bride’s eyes expressive and innocent, but is believed to purify the eyes of pollutants. It also protects the eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. Weddings tend to be exhausting for the bride, as there are many preparations that take months.
Hindu brides wear colored dresses like red, maroon and pink on their wedding day because these colors signify fertility and passion. Red and orange are associated with the rising sun, which connotes the beginning of a new life for the bride. Also in the Hindu tradition, the planet Mars, which is reddish in color, is related to marriage and therefore these colors are preferred by Hindu brides. These colors fill the bride with vitality and fire that are important to her married life.
Shrigaars that add rhythm
nat, It is not only a symbol of marriage but also has Ayurvedic meaning. Having a nose pierced on the left side is customary for Indian brides for good reason. The place to pierce the nose is related to the reproductive organs of a woman. It is said to relieve menstrual and labor pains. Not only this, the piercing also contributes to the general reproductive health of the bride, making her fertile enough to procreate. The nose piercing is also associated with the protection of the bride’s nasal passage, preventing her from any type of infection when she enters a new environment. The modern version of the nath is called a nose hoop/hoop, which is smaller than its earlier version and can be worn with any outfit.
the choodicur/chuda It looks divine in the hands of a bride. In addition to being a mark of her siihaag, the choodian and paval help the bride to maintain her energy levels throughout the day. Consumed while she performs household chores, her strength vibrates back to the body via sound waves produced by the choodian and papal. Also, a payal prevents inflammation of the soles of the feet and helps in the general blood circulation of the body. Hindus also believe that the crackling sound of the choodivan and papal helps ward off negative or evil energy. The modern bride prefers to wear bracelets and anklets that are much more elegant and modern.
Jeweler’s It is the most prominent element of a woman’s bridal attire. They adorn the bridal look like nothing else does. Ornaments made of gold and silver, such as mangalsutra, Kamarbandh, Bajubandh, Harm: Karnphool, Maangteeka and Bichua etc. they are worn by Indian brides. Gold is believed to have a warming effect and silver has cooling properties on the skin, helping to maintain body temperature. These metals are used in abundance in a bride’s trousseau as they have cancer warning properties. It is believed that Emperor Akbar gifted many unique pieces of navratan and kundari jewelry to his beloved Mumtaz Mahal.
Shringaars that add fragrance
Gajra It is a bouquet or string of flowers, usually jasmine, that the bride wears in her hair to highlight her hairstyle. Not only do they beautify her hair, but her scent gives a fresh and calm feeling to the bride on her wedding day when she is tense about leaving her parents and going to the bride’s house. husband of her
Itra (perfume) In addition to making the bride smell heavenly, it stimulates the bride’s senses. Itra made of fragrant ingredients like rose and sandalwood lifts the mood and mood of the bride on her wedding day. The aromas trigger the emotions of the bride and improve her mood the day she has to leave her parents.
significant ornament
On her wedding day, the bride is the center of attraction and must look divine. Therefore, the Solah Shringaars is of paramount importance for a bride. She is adorned from head to toe to forever capture the attention of her boyfriend and keep him from straying from her. Not just on their wedding day, all Solah Shringaars are worn by women even on festivals like Karvachauth and Teej as a sign of love for their husbands.
However, modern brides have put a modern twist on Shringaar garments. For example, the liquid Sindoor has replaced the traditional powder. The Gajra has been replaced by various hair accessories such as artificial flowers and metal hair clips. Nowadays, instead of Menendi which takes hours to apply, brides opt for Mehendi tattoos which are quicker to apply. The vermilion bindi has given way to those set with Kundan or Zircon stones that can be worn with both traditional and Indo-Western attire.
recover the charm
Indian brides, although not so mainstream anymore, have not forgotten the significance of these items and are still entrenched. Appearance is a gift from God, but beauty is what you can acquire, and the solar shringar will help you achieve it.
So brides-to-be and all other women take all their fine jewelry and cosmetics out of the confines of their lockers and put them on proud display, because now they know how beneficial Solah Shringaar is. You will not only benefit yourself but make your husband crazy for you by waking him up with the rhythmic sound of your choodian or papal and asking him to decorate your parting with sindoor and alluring hair with gajra. So adorn yourself more ‘significantly!’