All that you need to know about Maharashtrian jewellery
Maharashtrian jewellery culture dates back to many centuries ago, several cultures have influenced it and with that, there is an extensive variety in designs and techniques too. From head to toe, there is something unique to boast about. Necklace, earrings, bangles, rings, anklets ...you name it and it's there and in varieties. It's truly an exhaustive heritage to take pride in. But amongst all, Kolhapur Saaj continues to rule the roost. Worn by married women folks, it is made with jav mani (golden beads) and 21 leaf-shaped pendants. Each pendant has a meaning to it. While 10 pendants are believed to symbolise the ten avatars or Lord Vishnu, two pendants have ruby and emerald stones embedded in them, eight pendants are for ashtamangal (ashta means eight and mangal means good happenings) and the last pendant is a taviz. Just like Saaj, even Mangalsutra with watimani and black-beaded string is an essential jewellery for married Marathi women since time immemor...