All there is to Know about the Mangalsutra

The Mangalsutra or the Mangala Sutra is worn all over India and neighboring countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka. This gold ornament is a chain worn around the neck and traditional gold Mangalsutra designs are quite conspicuous for the combination of a resplendent gold pendent hanging from a gold chain that also features black beads. Wearing the Mangalsutra is a practice that is predominant among Hindu women however many Christian women in multiple regions of India also wear the Mangalsutra. This traditional pendant set has been worn by women all over India for centuries hence it’s only fair that we probe further into the symbolic significance and variations of this ornament.

Significance
Literally translated as “auspicious thread”, the Mangalsutra is not only an indication of marital status but also worn for the long life of husbands. The Mangalsutra is first put around the bride’s neck by the groom during the wedding ritual as dictated by Manusmriti and a married woman wears this ornament for the remainder of a marriage. Unlike other ornaments that are taken off at some point or the other. A woman will often wear the Mangalsutra, taking it off very seldom for cleaning or repairing. A married woman is generally careful not to be seen without the Mangalsutra and will only take it off for a negligible amount of time.

Various Traditional Mangalsutra Designs
There are various traditional Mangalsutra designs and they often vary according to different regions of India. The most common variation of the Mangalsutra is the Lakshmi Thaali which is worn all over the country. The pustelu Mangalsutra is worn by Telegus of Andhra Pradesh, Malayalees are known to wear the Ela Thaali or the Minnu while the Kumbha Thaali is worn by the Tamils. These are just few prominent examples of Mangalsutra variations. There are definitely more.

The Most Popular Gold Pendant Set Designs

Women all over India adorn themselves with gold, almost on a daily basis. Gold jewelry is definitely not limited to weddings and festivals but is worn almost every day because this precious metal is closely associated with wealth and prosperity which are undoubtedly good attributes. Gold jewelry is of many forms and the most common among them is the gold pendant. In India jewelry designs are often fusion of modern and traditional elements and that is clearly apparent in many of the gold pendant set designs we see today however strictly traditional or undoubtedly modern pendent designs are also quite common.

Traditional Gold Pendants
By definition, a pendant is a piece of jewelry that is worn around the neck and is attached to a chain. The complete gold pendant set comprises of the chain and the pendent and as mentioned before these sets are available in a wide range of designs. Traditional gold pendant set designs borrow heavily from ethnic motifs and often feature decorative interpretations of animals and birds, flora and fauna and religious iconography. These designs are widely popular and the craftsmanship involved is of the highest level. Smaller gold pendant sets featuring traditional designs may be worn on an everyday basis but larger elaborate pieces are often set aside for special occasions like weddings and festivals.

Modern Design Elements
Like anything else, gold jewelry is evolving with the times; which is why we are bound to notice that modern designs for gold pendant sets are being embraced in a big way. These sets are specially made to accessorize western wear or fusion garments. Gold pendant set designs with an emphasis on contemporary elements rely heavily on shine and sheen with a bias towards sharp cuts and geometric patterns.