The Heritage of Bengali Traditional Bangles and their Rich Culture

Bangles are available in a special dazzle like nothing else. Meant for every occasion, one can grace any event by wearing different varieties of bangles. However did one ever think what is so special about them? No wonder, bangles hold a special place in every women's wardrobe. But these bangles have a huge cultural significance as well.

History -

Bangles are circular, rigid ornaments, worn around the wrist. Their origin dates back to 2600 BC. Retrieved from the ancient Mohenjo-Daro excavations, these bangles have their first evidence among these archeological sites. one of the most useful inventions, when a precious statue of the "Dancing Girl" was found depicted in the nude, one of her hands was covered in bangles. This is how one hailed bangles as essential accessories for human use. However, their significance varies from region to region. For Hindu Bengali women, bengali traditional bangles are a symbol of marriage. Shankha and Pola bangles make up the shola-shringaar of every Bengali woman and they have been in existence for centuries.

Significance-

Shankha is conch bangles made up of white shells. Pola bangles are made up of red corals. When a newlywed bride wears them, she is automatically bedecked with glamour and elegance. They are also held very auspicious and should be handled with care so that it does not break. The Bengali wedding ceremony also has a separate ritual of wearing Loha bangles in between the Shankha and Pola ones. This bangle is made up of iron and worn in the left hand.

Shankha symbolizes familial prosperity and good health. The husband gives the Loha bangle to his own wife as a means of strengthening their bond with firmity and affection. The Loha bangles are meant to create a balance between the positive and negative energies so that one can ward off all evils.

The ritual-

The long 4-day Bengali wedding ceremony begins with pomp and grandeur. On the day before the wedding, the bride has the last meal from her parent's house, also known as Ai Buro Bhaat. At the dawn of the wedding day, the relatives smear the bride with turmeric paste as a part of the Gaye Holud ceremony. All the female members make merry and have fun at this event. The bride is also fed Dodhi Mangal which is natural yogurt. She then has to fast till her wedding is over. On the wee hours of the marriage day, one soaks the Shankha and Pola bangles in a mixture of turmeric and water. This is one of the most notable Bengali rituals. Seven married women adorn the wrist of the to-be-bride with these bangles.

Changing trends-

With revolutionary changes taking place in the fashion industry, brides are nowadays opting for a variety of kolkata bangles online. Almost every online jewellary store have a wide variety of bangle collection available to their customers. As a result, one can buy any style and trend as per their individual choice. Instead of going for the plain gold platted traditional bangles, Bengali brides are choosing intricately crafted designer works. Some prefer a sleek look, others love bold and intricate carvings. Pola bangles are also available in a wide collection with varying designs and patterns which fully radiate the beauty of these bangles.

One can buy beautiful Bengali bangles online from "Quality Fashion" within an affordable price range.

What is the Significance of Punjabi Wedding Bangles in Indian Culture

Within the Hindu tradition, weddings are followed by cultural and religious implications. Among all the sweet and memorable moments, there is a belief that wedding rituals are of paramount importance in determining a good life for the two soulmates who are tied together in a bond. 

 

For a long time, women have continued to adorn their hands with bangles. Also an important part of the wedding culture in India, bangles are a customary wedding ornament to be worn by the bride. In the Punjabi weddings, a ‘chooda’ and ‘kalire’ ceremony is conducted which is hailed auspicious for the bride-to-be. These rituals are held on the morning of the wedding day, at her place. 
 

The Magnificent Choodas

A set of 12 bangles, these Punjabi wedding bangles are available in red and maroon, ivory and white and is bought by the maternal uncle of the bride. He then gifts it to the bride during her wedding day. However, with the changing trends and styles, more and more brides are opting for multicoloured choodas like pink, orange. But red still continues to hold a ritualistic connotation when it comes to wedding occasions. 
 

The Ritual-

During this ceremony, a puja is conducted where the bangles are first purified by washing them with milk. Before the bride puts them on, every relative has to touch these bangles as a mark of blessing. The choodas are then covered with a white cloth so that the bride cannot see them before her wedding day.

When it comes to the shola shringaar of the bride, choodas are an evident impression. It is also known to bring good luck to the couple by strengthening their bond. Worn for a maximum of 40-45 days, choodas bring fertility and prosperity in the life of the newly-weds.

The Elegant Kalire

Kalires usually hang from the bride’s chooda making a unique combination. This signifies well-being and showers happiness upon the newly-weds. These are also known to bring about an eternal love between the couple. Mostly golden in colour, they bless the bride with good wishes. Also, the specific coconut shape of the kalire symbolizes that she never falls short of food to eat in her new home, while the metallic element signifies wealth and accomplishment. 
 

The kalires are usually carved with intricate patterns of dried beetle nuts, coconut or other kinds of nut. These designs are encrusted on the surface and make it look beautiful and attractive. 
 

The Ritual-

On her wedding day, the bride shakes the chooda and kalire over the unmarried girls present in the ceremony. It is believed that if the leaf of a kalire falls on someone, it is her turn to marry next. 
 

On the next day, the kalire is left in a temple shrine where the priest bestows blessings upon it and is then preserved by the bride as a memoir from her parent’s house. 

 

To buy some of the most innovatively designed bridal bangles for a Punjabi wedding ceremony, one can visit the online store of ‘Quality Fashion’ and select from a wide array of choices.

What are the Different Types of Bengali Traditional Bangles Available Online?

Online bangle shopping for different occasions can be an exhilarating process. Choosing from a wide collection of items available is often a challenging task and therefore requires careful consideration. Today, more and more online stores are stocking up their shelves with different designer artificial bangles. To buy from Bengali artificial bangles, one can choose from the following mentioned designs and enjoy a hassle-free shopping time. 
 

The different types of Bengali traditional bangles available online are-

1. Shankha- Also known as conch shell bangles, these are milky white in colour that encircles the wrist of Bengali married women. Hailed as an important cultural symbol, shakha bangles are representative of a woman’s marital status. A lot of precaution is taken when these bangles are worn. It is ensured that these bangles do not break or else it is hailed as inauspicious. Wearing these bangles, therefore, means supporting the tradition and culture of the Bengalis wholeheartedly.

Shankhas are made from conch shells, crafted and polished by the artisans before they are sold in the market. Bengali marriage rituals kickstart with the bride wearing a shankha which she shows off with pride. However, with the changing fashion scenario, brides are now opting designer shankha bangles as gold plated and minakari ones to bring in a touch of uniqueness.

2. Pola- Another significant ornament for the married women, they are considered precious for the Bengali culture. Also believed to be nature’s blessings, these bangles are worn along with the shankha on both the hands on the wee hours of the marriage day. To buy quality artificial jewellary stores online, one can choose from a diverse collection of pola bangles and live in terms with the traditions and customs.

3. Loha- This bangle is also a customary jewellary piece to be worn by a married Bengali woman. These bangles are strong and unbreakable, made from original iron (as the name suggests) and is given to the new bride by her mother-in-law as a gesture of welcome. It is worn on the left hand and may also be gold plated.

These bangles are symbolic of rendering stability to the relationship between a bride and groom. They are also meant to balance out the positive and the negative forces in the life of a newly-wed.

One can always visit the online store of ‘Quality Fashion’ which sells some of the most creative designer artificial bangles and also offers attractive discounts and freebies. A one-stop shop for all fashion lovers, it keeps the customers updated with the latest jewellary items, thus gradually becoming a trend-driven, online destination for exclusive fashion ornaments.