In the religious context, at marriage the bride and a married woman are considered the personification of the Hindu goddess of fortune Lakshmi, this transformation being achieved by the sixteen beautification processes known as Shodash Shringar.
The different components of Shodash (Solah) Shringar are;
Bindi
symbolising the bride's suhaag (resolve to the marital relationship). It is usually a circular red dot of vermillion powder, however, nowadays bindis are usually more elaborate and the self-adhesive variety.
Sindoor
vermillion powder symbolises suhaag and is applied in the parting of the hair.
Maangteeka
a pendulum like ornament generally made of gold; it is worn in the parting of the hair.
Anjana: kohl
the fourth step in Solah Shringar is the application of kaajal or kohl on the edges of the upper and lower eyelids.
**Nath
A nose ring/pin or stud is worn. It can be made of gold, pearl and diamond. Nose pins if worn are not usually removed by Hindus and they are a symbol of a married woman similar to mangal sutra, sindoor and bindi.
Mangal Sutra
the sacred marriage vows are thought to be imbibed in the wedding necklace (mangal sutra) made of gold. It may be embellished with diamonds, black pearls or stones.
Karn Phool
Karn phool or earrings
Mehendi-Henna
Mehndi is a very significant adornment of the bride. The application of mehndi to the bride’s hands and feet are a special pre-wedding ritual in the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
Choodiyan
Colourful choodiyan or bangles made of glass or gold adorn the wrists of the bride. Traditionally, red bangles are worn at the time of marriage.
Baajuband
armlets are worn on upper arms
Aarsi
a thumb ring
Keshapasharachana - beautiful hair arrangement
Cummerbund
Cummerbund adorns the waist of the bride, is generally made of gold and jewels.
Payal & Bichuas
Payal adorns the ankles. It is a thick chain of silver with many small bells attached to it. Composed of silver, bichuas or toe rings are worn on each foot.
Attar
anointing with perfume (attar of roses etc.)
Bridal dress
The adornment of the bride is a crucial part of the pre-wedding and wedding ceremonies. Her mother’s family along with the wedding bangles described earlier traditionally presents a new gold nose ornament or ‘nath’ to the bride. This would occur during the Grah Shanti (shantikarman/sainth) which is a ceremony conducted by a Hindu Priest to spiritually prepare the bride for marriage. At that point a sacred mantra from the oldest Hindu scripture, the Rigveda (Section 10, chapter 85 verse 33) is recited and beckons the assembled married women (suhaagans) to come forth and adorn the bride in the aforementioned method (Solah Shringar), thereby corroborating the religious sanction and antiquity of these practices. Moreover, during the wedding ceremony the bride’s hair parting is anointed with vermillion powder as described earlier and reminded by the Priest through the Vedic mantras he recites, that the wearing of the mangal sutra (marriage necklace, sindoor, nath, bangles etc.) ensures a harmonious marriage. There are countless references to these practices in the Hindu scriptures such as the Padma Puran, however, for brevity has not been listed in this testimony. It is wholly discretionary and not obligatory whether Hindu married women wish to heed this advice, just as some Christian married couples choose not wear wedding bands. One can assume that there is merit in these practices as Hindu women have observed them for several thousands of years.
Indeed, throughout the Middle East for many thousands of years, women have had their noses pierced and worn nose jewellery. This alludes to the benefit of this act as sanctioned in many religious texts and incorporated into the culture. There are even references to the wearing of nose jewellery in the Bible (Ezekiel 16:12).
Mrs Amrit Lalji along with millions of other Hindu women throughout the world has chosen to follow her religious beliefs by wearing a nose pin and as a result has been penalised for this. Clearly, a distinction must be drawn between Mrs Lalji’s wearing of a nose pin due to her religious conviction as opposed to cosmetic reasons.
Dr Raj Pandit Sharma
Executive Member – Hindu Ceremonies
Hindu Council UK
