Bangles are worn by Indian women, married or spinsters. Also known as Kangan in Hindi, this is an important ornament when donning traditional India attire. Since time immemorial, the bangles are available in various metals; common among them are conch, wax, ivory and glass. Though this ornament is part of everyday dressing of Indian women, during the Indian weddings, the bride wears specific bangle types.
In a Punjabi or Sikh wedding, the bride dresses in resplendent lehenga or salwar kameez. Her both hands are covered with ivory bangles, mostly red and white. Known as the chuda in these communities, the bride wears the set of chuda in a special ritual. These ivory bangles are available in simple designs or studded with colored stones. Some ivory bangles have names of the groom etched too. It is expected that the bride will wear these for one and a half months. In some families, the brides wear it for more than one year. These bangles suggest that the woman is a newly married.
The Hindu communities from the state of Uttar Pradesh usually wear lehenga or red saris. The bride also wears red bangles as it is considered auspicious. Red is the symbol of marriage and longevity according to Hindu traditions. Many Hindu brides also wear gold bangles to match with their bridal outfit. In states like Karnataka, Maharashtra and various Muslim communities, wearing of green glass bangles by the bride at the time of the nuptials has special meaning. Green signifies growth and lost lasting relationship.
Even in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the bride’s mother presents the bride with a pair of ivory bangles. It is necessary to wear these ivory bangles by the bride. Certain wedding rituals can be performed like the 'saptapati' only on wearing these bangles. The saptapati is an important ritual in Gujarati and Rajput weddings where the couple takes seven steps around the holy fire.
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