With the growing numbers of Indo-Western weddings, people from different corners of the world are getting to know more about the imperial Indian wedding culture, and Mangalsutra has been one of the essential jewellery items for brides since long ago. But, there are many more things that most people don’t know, especially about the different types of Mangalsutra, which change along with the provinces of India, Mangalsutra designs, rituals regarding it, etc.

Let’s get into a little introduction to Mangalsutra and what it means in reality. For 5000 years, almost from the time of the Indus Civilization, this Mangalsutra has been an emblem of women’s marital status. Literally, ‘Mangal’ means ‘auspicious’, and ‘Sutra’ means ‘thread’, so the meaning combines into ‘auspicious thread’ which is presented to the bride, somewhere by her parents, somewhere by the groom. Earlier, a thread, made from finely spun cotton, dipped in turmeric, and decorated with beautiful beads, was presented to the bride. There are numerous styles of Mangalsutra in different provinces of India and following them are the rituals.

As gold is believed to be one of the most auspicious metals for occasions, the best Mangalsutra designs are set either in gold or gold and diamond, regardless of region, culture, and ritual. Some discussions and thoughts are definitely there before doing this once-in-a-lifetime investment, as a Mangalsutra is probably the most sacred jewellery piece, a bride will ever have. This physical signature of the eternal knot between a bride and a groom also remains the most priority for the bride always.

Karthamani Pathak- the Traditional Coorgi/Kodava Mangalsutra

From the very rich tradition of Coorg, Karnataka, the name of Karthamani Pathak Mangalsutra design comes. This very old Kodava/Coorgi gold Mangalsutra design may be a bit rare nowadays but it still remains an amazing embodiment of our Indian cultures and rituals. The word ‘Pathak’ represents a pendant with a gold coin at the center, having the goddess Laxmi or Queen Victoria engraved on it, and the ‘Karthamani’ represents the Mangalsutra chain with gold and black beads. Nowadays, the pendant also comes with beautiful decorations like colorful stones embossed at the edges of it.

Deejhor- the Stunning Mangalsutra of the Mesmerising Kashmir

In the very north of India, the Mangalsutra design from Kashmir is known as Dijhor or Deejhor, presented to the bride by her parents. This specific Mangalsutra design is way more different from the same from other provinces as this is not just a simple pendant but also a pair of earrings. It comes to the bride with a red thread at first from her parents, which is later changed with a gold chain by the groom’s parents.

Vati or Wati- the Significant Maharashtrian Mangalsutra Design

For centuries, Mangalsutra has been the epitome of the eternal bond between a married woman and her life partner, and Vati or Wati- the Maharashtrian gold Mangalsutra design is a genuine emblem of the unity of a couple. It has two watis or vessel-shaped pendants which actually represent the union of two families as well as the eternal dualism of a wedding. To match the contemporary styling trends, these Mangalsutra designs are also coming with diamonds embossed on them.

Thali- the Distinct Mangalsutra from the Southern States

Keeping the rich heritage of Tamil weddings as a symbol, this specific gold Mangalsutra design is getting updated from time to time, adding essence to it from modern-era gold and diamond jewellery. As per the rituals, this ‘Thali’ or ‘Ela Thali’ combines two separate gold pendants with the same design, one is presented by the bride’s side, another by the groom’s. Later those two pendants are assembled and set with a suitable gold and black beaded chain that can surely complement the statement piece of the bride.

Things to Know Before Buying Mangalsutra

These have been some of the most popular Mangalsutra designs from different provinces of India. But, as this is a very sacred piece of jewellery for every Indian bride, several rituals are also attached to it regarding the process of wearing it, maintaining it, etc. So, after getting to know some of the popular types, we will now dive deeper and discuss the things you have to remember regarding Mangalsutra.

Choose Mangalsutra Design Wisely

A bride should have enough knowledge about gold Mangalsutra designs as well as diamond mangalsutra designs while choosing the suitable one for herself as this is a lifetime investment and no regret is felt any while in the future. There are numerous designs of every type of mangalsutra available in the market, but it is better you use the feature of the internet at your fingertips and search for designs on the websites of popular online jewellery merchants and choose a few mangalsutra designs as per your requirements. Actually, it often makes it easy to choose any jewellery if you go to your nearby jeweler and look for mangalsutra there after a bit of scrolling over the internet.

Discuss the Rituals with Seniors

Following the imperial age-old traditions of Indian weddings, rituals are very much prevalent today, and so, it is better for the bride to discuss their family rituals with her parents, aunt, and grandparents as well as with the groom’s family, before buying or choosing any mangalsutra design. This discussion is also very much important before those regal weddings where the bride and the groom belong from different provinces, thus having different formalities.

Importance of Mangalsutra Chains

Before buying a Mangalsutra, choosing a mangalsutra design is not the only thing you’ve to take care of, you have to be very precise while looking for mangalsutra chains also. Though the mangalsutra chain may look like a simple gold and black beaded chain, there are numerous varieties of those two beads which as well change the chain’s design. At least 2-3 kinds of black beads are available in the market that is different in sizes and their chains also gradually get thickened. Mangalsutra chains often come with a design having a plate of gold with intricate designs in between two patches of gold and black beaded chain. After all these, a simple single-line mangalsutra chain is sufficient for most light mangalsutra designs, though you have to choose a bit heavier chains for other lustrous or heavy mengalsutra pendants, so that the chain suits the pendant.

Taking Care of your Mangalsutra

A mangalsutra is such an important jewellery piece for every married woman that she is merely seen without wearing it, but in the long run, it is very important for her to know how to take care of the jewellery. In daily wear, a mangalsutra chain catches the dirt and looks pale more easily than that of the pendant hanging from it, because of sweat, dust, etc. But you can wash it easily at home following some simple steps- take a cup of boiling hot water in a bowl and dip your mangalsutra into it for a while, like 5-6 minutes. And then take a brush (toothbrushes are fine) with soft bristles, rub the complete mangalsutra (upside down also) for a while, and now rinse it with normal water. The mangalsutra will once again shine after you dry it with a soft towel or any kind of drier (hair dryer at low heat).

Giving a Modern Touch to your Mangalsutra

Nowadays, every kind of jewellery is getting updated in all the aspects like design, trends, modern culture, etc. and it is very important to customize handcrafted jewellery in 2023 at least so that you will not have any regret in the future if jewellery design looks very old-fashioned. Though the mangalsutra is a physical emblem of the love and union of a couple, thus two families, a bride should always take care of her mangalsutra design to be very much contemporary and at the same time it is genuinely carrying her ancestral traditions also. A mangalsutra can easily be fabricated with diamonds and as diamonds are forever, a diamond mangalsutra design never fails to impress people anytime, anywhere.

After this prolonged discussion, we think we’ve cleared out all your doubts as well as questions regarding the mangalsutra designs, wearing rituals, types, etc. so that no bride-to-be faces any trouble while thinking of buying the mangalsutra before her wedding. For more minimalistic gold and diamond jewellery, please visit lamarquem.com and order your favorite jewellery to get it delivered safely to your doorstep.