The Traditional & Scientific Significance of Mangalsutras
The Mangalsutra, commonly known as taali in South India, is a chain tied around the bride’s neck by the groom during the wedding. It gives the bride the social identity of being a married woman. The word ‘Mangalsutra’ literally translates to mean an auspicious thread. Of all the ornaments donned by a married Hindu woman, like earrings, toe rings, sindhur, bindi etc, the mangalsutra is considered to be the most significant. Wearing of this mangalsutra has numerous reasons, both religious and scientific. Read on to know more! Traditional Significance The Mangalsutra is worn by the wife in order to ensure the long life and continuing happiness of her husband and family. A typical Mangalsutra consists of black beads roped together with a simple/ gold thread infused with turmeric, along with a gold part at the bottom. It is considered to be symbolic of the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati; the gold part is a mark of Parvati, and is worn as the woman is thought to be the source of prosper fo