Most Maharashtrian brides dress in a yellow saree with a golden border; hair tied in a bun and decorated with pearls and gajra on their big day. Apart from the attractive yellow saree, what sets a Maharashtrian bride apart are traditional ornaments she wears. Maharashtrians prefer incorporating pearl jewellery with gold, which has references in Marathi poetry and literature. Here are some traditional jewellery a Maharashtrian bride wears:
Mundavalya
This piece of jewellery is unisex. It is worn by the bride and groom. It entails a string (sometimes two) of pearls, tied across the forehead from the temple. Two lines of pearls drop from either side of the temple. The mundavalya is tied when the bride is set to walk to the mandap.
Kolhapuri saaz
The ornament originally hails from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. A married woman wears this to solidify her marital status. This ornament is gifted by the groom’s family. In a number of Maharashtrian communities, the Kolhapuri saaz is as important as the mangalsutra. Most women in the rural heart of Maharashtra wear it even today. It comprises gold beads (Jav mani), with a round pendant with a red stone in the centre.
Chooda
The chooda worn by Maharashtrian women is quite different from the red chooda. The glass bangles are in green – symbolising fertility, creativity and new life. Custom mandates that women wear these in odd numbers, and in different numbers in both hands.
Vaaki
The vaaki or armlet forms an essential part of a Maharashtrian bride’s trousseau. They are ideally worn one on each arm. However, there are some brides who only wear only one vaaki. A traditional design comes in flat, solid gold with precious stones in the middle.
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| Maharashtrian Bridal Jewellery |
Mundavalya
This piece of jewellery is unisex. It is worn by the bride and groom. It entails a string (sometimes two) of pearls, tied across the forehead from the temple. Two lines of pearls drop from either side of the temple. The mundavalya is tied when the bride is set to walk to the mandap.
Kolhapuri saaz
The ornament originally hails from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. A married woman wears this to solidify her marital status. This ornament is gifted by the groom’s family. In a number of Maharashtrian communities, the Kolhapuri saaz is as important as the mangalsutra. Most women in the rural heart of Maharashtra wear it even today. It comprises gold beads (Jav mani), with a round pendant with a red stone in the centre.
Chooda
The chooda worn by Maharashtrian women is quite different from the red chooda. The glass bangles are in green – symbolising fertility, creativity and new life. Custom mandates that women wear these in odd numbers, and in different numbers in both hands.
Vaaki
The vaaki or armlet forms an essential part of a Maharashtrian bride’s trousseau. They are ideally worn one on each arm. However, there are some brides who only wear only one vaaki. A traditional design comes in flat, solid gold with precious stones in the middle.
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