My best friend called me to let me know that she’s getting married!! I was so happy that I immediately rushed to her place. We immediately immersed ourselves in bridal magazines, jewelry blogs, and whatnot. As we were discussing what kind of bridal getup she should adorn, her grandmother chimed in, “in olden days, the brides used to adorn themselves with Solah Shringar. You should also try to include all those embellishments along with your outfit.” Curiously, we asked her, what are these Solah Shringar and what’s the story behind it? So she told us the story of Rati, Kamadeva’s wife.
Rati was a common girl, not somebody one would call beautiful. As a result, men wouldn’t find her attractive. This caused her immense sadness. So she decided to please Goddess Laxmi. To please her, she performed intense austerities. Pleased by Rati’s devotion, Goddess Laxmi told her about Solah Shringar. That whoever adorns her body with Solah Shringar will enchant her man and will lead to prosperity in the household. With this blessing from the goddess, Rati adorns herself with Solah Shringar and becomes the wife of the most handsome man in the entire universe, Kamadeva.
Our culture is full of such stories which impart knowledge about our traditions. But not all traditions are based on superstition. Here’s the list of Solah Shringar, or sixteen embellishments, and the reasoning behind them.
The Sixteen Embellishments
- Sindoor/Vermillion- It is said that a bride should wear Sindoor as it is auspicious for the wellbeing of her husband. But the reason why Sindoor is put in the hair partition by the bride is that there are lots of brain nerves in that region. The turmeric, lime, and small amount of mercury in the vermillion relaxes those nerves and helps cool down the body.
- Bindi- It is said that Bindi is the symbol of luck and prosperity. The spot between our two eyes helps increase concentration. This point is also inclined to tension and unease. The act of application of Bindi massages this spot, relaxing the nerves and muscles, and setting a calming tone for our body.
- Kajal/Kohl- It is said that Kajal protects you from negativity or a bad eye. Kajal not just beautifies your eyes, but it also keeps them healthy. Kajal prepared from coal and copper has antibacterial properties, which prevent baggy under eyes.
- Mehndi/Henna- The richness of the color of mehndi has a lot of significance in our culture. It is said to symbolize fertility and prosperity. But henna not only decorates hands, it also helps cool down the body when it heats up due to hormonal changes.
- Hair Ornaments/Gajara- The tradition of wearing flowers in hair is not just for adornment, the smell of the flowers keeps the wearer fresh all day. The fragrance helps keep your mind calm and brings positivity.
- Maangtika- It was believed that maangtika would prevent the wearer from straying from the correct path. The metal in it helps regulate the body’s heat emission.
- Nose ring/Nath- It is a popular belief that wearing a nose ring leads to the husband’s healthy life. But piercing the nose on a particular point helps lessen the period pain and causes comparatively less pain during the delivery process.
- Earrings- It was believed that a woman should were big earrings so that she doesn’t listen to any negative talks. But the science behind it says that the outer part of our ear has various acupressure points and wearing earrings prevents kidney and bladder problems.
- Necklace/Mangalsutra- The Mangalsutra is usually a sign of a married woman. The beads of Mangalsutra regulate heart rate and blood pressure.
- Armband/ Bajuband- A woman wearing an armband was considered a sign of a prosperous family. The armband not only brings prosperity but also helps improve the wearer’s health. It prevents the collection of excessive fat in the arms and also helps prevent any kind of pain in the bones.
- Bangles/Kangan- The elders believed that the clanking of bangles is a sign of a wealthy household. Yes, the bangles are vibrant and beautiful, and they also help increase blood circulation in the hands.
- Rings- The reasoning behind wearing rings was that the person who wears rings is never empty-handed, they never face shortage of money. Scientifically, the rings pressurize the fingers, acting as acupuncture for the nerves that are connected to the heart and brain.
- Waistband/Kamarbandh- Kamarbandh was the indication that the wife is the mistress of the house and she has the final say in everything. But they act as a reminder from putting on weight around the belly and hips.
- Anklets/Payal- The sound of anklets is said to bring happiness into the home. But the qualities of silver in the anklets increase foot strength and give relief from the swelling of the ankles.
- Toe ring/Bichiya- Toe rings are said to be very auspicious for married women. The nerves of the toes are said to be connected to the uterus. Wearing toe rings helps regularize periods and enhance fertility.
- Scent- the brides were drenched in perfumes to add another dimension to her whole getup. The perfumes calm our nerves down, keeps odor away, and keep the wearer fresh.
The traditionalists make these assertions, none of which is backed by medical science. But after reading up on this, I thought, well, we women have never needed an excuse to wear jewels. If wearing them is going to be so beneficial for us, then let’s dress up girl!
