Bridal fashion is much more than a white wedding dress for many. Cultures and religions across the world have quite varying ideas of what brides should be dressed in, and about what it means to look “bridal”.

Hindu bridal attire is one category of wedding fashion which is particularly interesting. Included in this, is the Solah Shringar – 16 ornaments which are mandatory for the bride to wear. Each item is significant for a different reason:

1. Bindi

A bride is adorned with a bindi which sits between her eyebrows. A round bindi is a symbol of married life. It also has religious implications.

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2. Sindoor

This is a red coloured powder which completes the look of a bride and is applied to the parting of the hair. The colour symbolises marriage and the well-being of the groom.

The groom uses his thumb to apply the powder to his wife’s hair parting towards the end of the ceremony.

According to tradition, the wife should reapply this every morning for the rest of her married life.

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3. Maang Tikka 

The maang tikka is an ornament which is said to highlight the charm of a bride. Commonly made using gold and gems, it is worn on the head – on the central hair parting – and extends to the forehead. The item hangs over the “anja chakra”, which is the home of the body’s mind and intellect.

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4. Kajal 

Also known as Kohl, thid is applied on the edges of eyelids and is similar to eyeliner.

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5. Nath 

An accessory worn on the nose, the nath is another symbol of marriage. In some regions, this item is meant only for married women, who should wear it daily.

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6. Haar

This necklace symbolises prosperity. At times, women replace a heavy piece of jewellery with a gift from her husband to be. This is called a Mangalsutra.

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7. Karn Phool 

These earrings are mandatory for the bride. They are often quite large and heavy and thus are supported using the brides hair.

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8. Mendhi 

Women apply mendhi or henna to their hands. The designs are symbolic of celebrations, and the colour (maroon) is believed to be auspicious and to signify a variety of things from the love between the pair getting married to wealth and fertility.

Some say that the darker the mendhi the stronger the love is from the groom to the bride.

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9. Choodiyan 

Bangles are also compulsory for the bride. They symbolise prosperity and a long life for the groom. Designs vary between communities, however they are most commonly red and made using gold, glass, or metal.

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10. Baajuband 

Worn on the upper arm, the armlet is made using gold or silver and may be decorated with pearls or gems. This item is believed to fight away evil spirits.

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11. Aarsi and Haathphool 

The aarsi is a thumb ring which has a mirror set on it. This allows the bride to get a glimpse of her soon-to-be husband, since tradition states that the bride should not see her groom before and for a large part of the ceremony.

Haathphool is a set of 8 rings which are worn on both hands.

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12. Keshapasharachana

A hair accessory, consisting of gold ornaments and flowers, which is commonly used to decorate a braid or bun.

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13. Kamarband 

This item is a gold waistband which is used to highlight the shape of the brides silhouette and to assist with keeping the dress or sari in place.

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14.  Payal

Said to signify the Goddess Lakshmi, these anklets look beautiful and create a melodious sound. It is commonly a chain tied around the ankle which has little bells attached to it.

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15. Itar 

While not a physical item, the perfume complements the Solah Shringar.

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16. Shaadi ka Joda 

The bridal dress is commonly a bright colour such as red, maroon, green, or gold and is embroidered from head to toe. The dress itself can be a sari, a lehnga, or salwaar kameez, depending on the region of India where the bride’s family is from.

Lehnga: 

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Sari: 

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Salwaar Kameez: 

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