Solah Shringar - The 16 Adornments of a Hindu Bride

HUBPAGES
By Anamika S

Hindu Bride Image with Solah Shringar

INDIA - Every Bride wants to look like a princess on her Wedding Day. Solah Shringar refers to the sixteen adornments of a Bride (Woman) for beautification. Solah Shringar is especially important for an Indian bride on the most significant day of her life. Different kinds of beauty rituals are associated with the wedding day. In India, the beautification of the bride consists of sixteen parts and covers almost every part of the body right from the head to the toe. The Solah Shringar ritual is said to correspond to the sixteen phases of the moon which has a negative effect on the woman’s menstrual cycle. Solah Shringar is said to nullify this effect. The term shringar is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who is a model wife and the representation of female beauty, good luck, prosperity and fertility. [link]

AOA Summary:

1. Red colored wedding sari (wedding dress)
2. Brides hair is then styled and adorned with flowers and jewelry.
3. The eyes are highlighted with Kajal or kohl to make it more attractive and appealing.
4. Bindi is put on the bride’s forehead and decorated with red and white dots around it and along the eyebrows.
5. Maangtika is worn on the central parting of the hair of the bride mostly made out of gold.
6. Nose Ring is worn on the left nostril and is supported by a gold chain, which extends just behind left ear.
7. Ear rings adorn the ears of the bride. Since the ear rings worn by bride are quite heavy they are normally supported by a gold chain passing over the crown of the head.
8. Mangalsutra necklace is worn around the neck is tied by the groom during the wedding rituals.
9. Baajuband or armlets are worn on the upper arms of the bride over the sari blouse.
10. Mehendi is another significant shringar of the bride which is applied on the bride's hands and feet.
11. Bangles or bracelets made of gold, glass or other metals depending upon the custom.
12. Eight rings in both her hands, which are attached with a central flower or medallion that covers the upper part of the hand called hathphulor.
13. Kamarband is a beautifully designed gold or silver belt is worn around the waist of the bride.
14. Silver anklets are worn on the ankles of the bride and toes are adorned with toe rings made of silver. The feet are also decorated.
15. Itar or fragrance is applied on to the bride to keep her fresh and smelling good.
16. Sindoor is applied on the central parting of the hair during the wedding ceremony.