The word Mangala sutra or Mangalsutra comes from two Sanskrit words, mangala meaning “auspicious” and sutra meaning “thread” -an auspicious thread. Knotted around bride’s neck 3 times at marriage. Three knots states 3 different aspects of a married woman – the first knot represents her obedience and respect to her husband, the second one to his parents and the third represents her respect to God. It is usually a yellow thread prepared with turmeric or a necklace with black beads strung from a black. In modern days people prefers gold, white or red beads are also added to the mangal sutra.
What is Mangalsutra?
It is a necklace of bond that a Hindu groom ties with three knots around the bride’s neck in a marriage ceremony. The practice is an integral part of a marriage ceremony as prescribed in Manusmriti, the traditional law governing Hindu marriage.
The sole purpose of this yellow thread was to protect from the evil eye. But presently it still exists in South India where the talli or Mangalsutra is a yellow chain with a gold pendant. Customary jewellery Mangalsutra in most Hindu households which signifies a married woman and earns her due respect. A typical mangalsutra has two strings of black beads and a pendant.
When was Mangalsutra invented ?
The origin of Mangalsutra dates back to the 6th Century AD as a sign of a married woman. A single thread of yellow was tied around the bride for protection from other men.
Mangalsutras From Different States of India
Bengali
Bengalis have no tradition to follow mangalsutra. Married Bengali women wear Shakha Paula bangles is only mandatorily. Shakha comes from Shankha, meaning conch while the Paula is made up of corals. One set of the bangle is worn on each hand by every woman after marriage.
Sikh
In sikh’s culture the bride’s family goes to the groom house with gifts like sweets, clothes and jewellery. The bride family gives the groom a gold ring, a Kada (Gents Bangle) and gold coins. Later, may be after marriage these coins are strung into a black thread and given to the bride. She wears it around her neck and it is akin to the mangalsutra worn by Hindu women. But among Sikhs, the bride wears this thread only during on ..special occasions. Chuda (wedding bangles) are a more important symbol of marriage for Sikhs than anything else.
Sindhi
For Sindhi, Mangalsutra is an important part of the marriage. Generally it is made of gold, they are worn with black and gold beaded chains. The mangalsutra is generally give from the groom’s side.
Marwari
The Marwaris do not have a tradition of following mangalsutra, but over time have accepted that into their customs. It’s not compulsory for a Marwari married woman to sport them. The important jewellery which is the identity of a newly married Marwari woman is the Chuda (wedding bangles) and the form of sacred thread tied to her wrist during the wedding ceremony.
Bihari
In Bihar traditions the married women wear Taagpaag which is a black beaded chain attached with gold pendant comparable to the mangalsutras. Apart from this, the toe ring forms an important symbol of the marriage culture for Biharis.
Kashmiri
Kashmiri Pandits have ‘dejhoor’ which is close resemblance to the mangalsutras of the Hindus. These are the beautifully shaped golden ornament, all most the size of an almond, suspended through both the ears either by a golden chain or colored thread up to chest from the day of the marriage. The “dejhoor” is suspended the ears to strike with the women’s chest for wishing the long life of her husband. This yantra, Dejhoor, is dangled from piercing the upper ear cartilage, always the left ear first and then second is right, and initially, on the day of Devgoan.
Mangalsutras of Tamilnadu – Thaali
In Tamilnadu, they called Thaali (pronounced Thaa-Lee) or Thirumangalyam (sometimes, just called Mangalyam) or Thaaly. They are in many shapes and forms (around 30). In Tamils, Thaali come in different shapes and designs and sizes and bear importance depending on the caste or sub-caste of the bride and the groom. Thaali is generally worn with a gold chain or “Manja Kayiru”, which is yellow thread. In most cases, the Thaali is a representative of the family gods and Goddess like Meenakshi, Lord Sundareshwara, Tulsi plant, Lord Shiva or one of the many symbols of Lord Shiva.
Types of Mangalsutra in Tamilnadu
- Meenakshi Sundareshwar Thaali – Lord Sundareshwara & Goddess Meenakshi
- Tulsi Sun Moon Thaali – Tulsi plant with Sun & Moon
- Bottu Thaali
- Shivlinga Thaali – Worshippers of Lord Shiva
- Thenkalai Naman Symbol Thaali – Worshippers of Lord Vishnu
- Vadukalai Naman Thaali with Conch & Chakra – Worshippers of Lord Vishnu with Sudarshan Chakra (famously called Shanku Chakra Naman or Sangu Chakra Naman)
- Annamlakshmi Thaali
Mangalsutras of Kerala – Minnu & Thaali
In Kerala, the Syrian Christians use Minnu as the auspicious wedding thread equivalent to mangalsutras. The Kerala Hindus use Thaali, is also called Ela Thaali. The same is also called Elagu Thaali sometimes. Ela meaning leaf, Ela Thaali stands for the Thaali in the shape of a leaf or bearing the design of a leaf. The Ela Thaali has also comprises of an Om symbol embossed or cut-out on the leaf-shaped gold sheet. The Muslims from North Kerala do not have any tradition of mangalsutras, whereas the Muslims of South Kerala use the Thaali as their mangalsutra.
Minnu is generally made of 13 gold beads arranged in the form of a cross on a heart shaped medal. It is hanged using the seven threads taken from the bride’s silk saree (Manthrakodi) gifted to her by the groom.
Mangalsutras of Andhra Pradesh
asutramu / Pustelu / Maangalyamu / Ramar Thaali / Bottu in Telugu, the Mangalsutras of Telugus are very almost like that of Tamil Nadu and remainder of Southern India. Generalising the Thaali of Andhra Pradesh , we will say that the Telugu mangalsutra consists of two discs (coins) made from gold separated by beads. Among the beads, you’d find corals, pearls, etc. It then seems like a bead necklace with two gold sovereigns hanging from it, each weighing 3 to six grams.
What is even more interesting is that one disc comes from the groom’s side while the opposite from bride’s side.The shape of Bottu is circular and is formed of gold, and should or might not have some design carvings. it’s worn with coral and pearl beads necklace or gold chains.
Mangalsutra of Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, the mangalsutras contains black beads with two bowl-shaped vatis on either side. The Maharashtrian Mangalsutra has two gold and black beads strung together during a double line and joined by the central vati pendant within the sort of two cups.
They have two types of the black beaded chain
- Nirgun – The whole chain is made of just black beads
- Shagun – Every 9 black beads are separated by 2 golden beads
Mangalsutra of Karnataka
The Kannadigas call it by the name of Maangalya-Sutra. it’s more or less almost like the Maharashtrian design consisting of two hollow vatis. it’s made from two round golden plates along side corals, freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones and black stones/beads.
Health Benefits of Wearing a Mangalsutra
While most of the people associate mangalsutra with a spiritual custom, there’s also a sound scientific justification behind it. Hindu culture emphasises on wearing a mangalsutra made from pure gold and it’s often advised that the mangalsutra should be hidden behind the inners. consistent with Ayurveda – the traditional Indian science pure gold features a number of healing properties, and therefore the most vital of them is improved heart health. Ayurveda reveals that wearing a mangalsutra on the brink of the guts (touching the skin) attracts cosmic waves from the environment and aids heart functioning. it’s also considered that these waves help in maintaining a cheerful , healthy relationship between the husband and wife.
The health benefits of wearing a mangalsutra
- Wearing a mangalsutra helps within the development of the system .
- It regularises blood flow and keeps her fresh and energetic.
- Regularises vital sign .
- Stimulates the Surya-nadi or the Sun-channel within the woman body and awakens the inherent energy in it.
- Apart from the health benefits, it’s also believed that a mangalsutra having mustard-sized black beads in it wards off the evil while upholding the sanctity of the wedding.
Mangalsutra in different languages
- English : Its nuptial chain
- Telugu : mangalasutramu (మంగళసూత్రము) or pustelu (పుస్తెలు)
- Hindi : (मंगलसूत्र) mangalasootr
- Tamil : thaali (தாலி), maangalyam (மாங்கல்யம்)
- Bengali : thella (තැල්ල) in Sinhala, mongolsutro (মঙ্গলসূত্র)
- Malayalam : thaali (താലി)
Scientific Reason of Mangalsutra:
- In between the mangalsutra there are two cups. The cups should be round and there should be no design on its front. This structure is related to the Energy of data .
- Round shape is related to zero, that is, with the Brahman consisting of void. the power to soak up and emit the waves of specific level as per the necessity of the person is more within the shape compared to the opposite shapes.
- Round shape is symbolic of Energy of data .
- Round shape is related to the Sattva-guna within the sort of Shiva-Shakti.
- The central point of the shape provides waves within the sort of striking Shakti (Energy) whereas the raised part is related to Brahman within the sort of Shiva.
- The waves of emotions are activated within the Anahat-chakra (heart) of the lady .
- The waves of Energy of data are attracted towards the circular figure of the voids of the cups of the mangalsutra.
- The waves of data assimilate the waves of the woman’s emotions.
- By this process the woman’s actions (karmas) become non-actions (akarmas), that is, the law of action-and-fruit isn’t applicable to the karmas done by the lady .
Mangalsutra Styles & the Modern Indian Woman
Today with so many women working and running their households, they are driven by the fast life. Office suits with blazers and trousers are taking over a woman’s wardrobe. And with this attire many prefer a sleek and subtle, designer mangalsutra to suit their professional persona. Diamond studded tanmaniyas that still maintain the original values and symbols have become every woman’s dream.
Can christian wear mangalsutra?
yes for sure. Already many Christians in the world started wearing.
when the yellow thread becomes brownish, its the time to change.
Conclusion:
In Traditions of India, womens spoke about her husband so fondly that when they stating her view on the mangalsutra is not just a piece of jewellery or a fashion accessory. It is a symbol of eternal trust, love, and respect that a husband and wife share. In womens point of view “A Mangalsutra, is a the only symbol of a married woman, just like as in the west ( foreign countries) they have a ring on the ring finger. Graceful and yet a commitment to the man they love. A piece of jewellery bought by a husband for her loving wife, the mangalsutra combines a woman and her man with love”
There may be lot of stories and reasons,but once you surprise your loved one with a beautiful mangalsutra a sacred thread, a symbol of the bond. Then post your story story on gifting Mangalsutra in comments
FAQs About Mangalsutra
- What is a mangalsutra?
The mangalsutra is a necklace worn by married Hindu women as a symbol of their marital status. It typically consists of gold or black beads strung together, often with a pendant in the center. - What materials are used to make a mangalsutra?
Traditionally, it’s made from gold and black beads, sometimes adorned with diamonds or other gemstones for added elegance and symbolism. - Is it necessary to wear the mangalsutra daily?
Traditionally, it’s meant to be worn every day as a sign of marital status and protection. However, many modern women choose to wear it only on special occasions. - What is the significance of black beads in a mangalsutra?
The black beads are believed to protect the wearer and her marriage from evil forces and bring prosperity to the family. - How long should a mangalsutra chain be?
Mangalsutra chains typically range between 16 and 30 inches in length, but the exact size can vary based on personal preference or regional customs. - Can I customize my mangalsutra design?
Yes, many jewelers offer customization services to help you choose the type of chain, pendant, and beads that match your style while keeping the traditional essence intact. - How should I care for my mangalsutra?
To maintain its beauty, store it separately in a jewelry box and clean it with mild soap and a soft cloth. Inspect the beads and clasps periodically for wear. - What are the regional variations in mangalsutra designs?
Each region in India has unique designs, like the vati style in Maharashtra or the more elaborate gold chains with temple motifs in South India.
