Mangalsutra Types Across India

Mangalsutra Types Across India

Mangalsutras, the sacred thread or chain that Indian married women wear, are unique across every state and community in India. While Mangalsutras are predominant in North India, the tradition related to Mangalsutra has, in fact, sprawled across all parts of India. From south to north and from east to west, it’s called by different names, namely Thaali, Thirumangalyam, Dehjoor, Minnu, etc.

Want to know more? We have compiled the list of various types of Mangalsutras that are predominantly worn by women across India.

1. Mangalsutras of Delhi & Punjab

Similar to what we see in Bollywood movies and soaps, the Mangalsutras worn by women of North, especially in Delhi, are sets of black beads threaded on to a chain attached to a gold pendant called Tanmaniya.

Traditionally made of plain gold, these pendants come in varied designs. Mostly, the brides are free to choose the design of the pendants and the length of the Mangalsutra chain.

2. Mangalsutras of Gujarat & Rajasthan

Some communities, like Gujarati and Marwari, go for diamond pendant instead of the gold Tanmaniyas. These diamond studded Mangalsutras not only fulfills the requirement as wedding jewelry, but they are also a trendy accessory for married women. Some women pair their Mangalsutra with matching earrings as well.

3. Mangalsutras of Bihar

The Bihari married women wear Taagpaag. This is close to a black beaded Mangalsutra chain with a gold pendant. They also wear a toe ring as an important symbol of their marital status.

4. Mangalsutras of Goa

Most Konkanis and Goans wear the Mangalsutra that is known as Kasithaali. This is typically a gold chain speckled with coral and/or gold beads accompanied by either a religious motif of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, or a Tanmaniya bead pendant.

5. Mangalsutras of Tamil Nadu

Married women in Tamil Nadu, especially Hindu women, call the Mangalsutra as Thaali or Thirumangalyam. Contrary to the other Mangalsutras, this is either a thick yellow cord or a thick gold chain, which is attached to an extraordinarily designed pendant. The religious design on the pendant varies from community to community and at times, from one family to another.

Apart from the basic pendant, some Tamil communities add a few extra religious elements like motifs, black beads, gold beads, etc. to the Thaali.

6. Mangalsutra of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, & Telangana

The Telugu and Kannadiga brides from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana wear a Mangalsutra that is an amalgamation of both their North and South Indian counterparts. They wear a gold, semi-circular pendant on a gold chain that is strung with black and gold beads.

7. Mangalsutras of Kerala

Kerala brides, especially the Christians, wear a Minnu to depict their marital status. This form of Mangalsutra more or less looks like a gold chain, and it has a tiny triangular pendant.

Other forms of Mangalsutras

While these are the predominant types of Mangalsutras, in states like Bengal and Kashmir, the jewelry pieces, which depict the marital status of a woman, are completely different. For example, Kashmiri Pandit community women wear a piece of jewelry on their neck known as the Dejhoor. It is an almond-sized gold ornament suspended from one’s ear till her chest by a colored rope of gold chain.

The Bengali brides, on the other hand, wear bangles instead of Mangalsutras. These bangles are known as Shakha Paula. The Shakha and Paula are two bangles that are presented to the bride by her mother.

Apart from the conventional Mangalsutras like these, more and more women prefer to wear stylish and unique Mangalsutras that accentuate their modern outfit. These can be as simple as a gold chain with a few gold beads or a trendy fusion Mangalsutra with a heavy pendant.

Now that you are aware of the various types of Mangalsutra, go ahead and shop for a Mangalsutra that will be apt for your community as well as accentuate your style.