Mangalsutra, a sacred thread, beaded with black and gold beads attached with a golden or diamond pendant in the center. This is a must wear traditional ornament of a married woman in India. Mangalsutra has great significance in the lives of Hindu Women. It is tied around the neck of Indian bride by her husband on the wedding day after Saptapadi. The word Mangalsutra is a combination of two words, Mangal i.e. auspicious and Sutra which means the sacred thread. It is a sutra which symbolizes the promise or a vow which husband and wife take together that they will always be there for each other in the marital journey of life.
Mangalsutra is symbolic of Lord Shiva and deity Shakti, where gold signifies Shakti and black beads is in the form of Lord Shiva. Though the marriages are made in heaven, the heaven on earth is created by the two individuals called as Husband and Wife. Marriages in India are not only about celebration and fun it’s about the devotion, sacrifice, companionship, true love, care, sacredness, respect for one another. According to Hindu culture, five prominent jewelry pieces/ adornment which represents the marital status of a woman are Sindoor, Mangal Sutra, Toe ring, Nose ring, and Bangles.Though Bangles and Nose rings are also worn by an unmarried woman as a fashion statement it is only a beautiful married woman who gets the privilege to wear mangalsutra and apply sindoor.
Mangalsutra is not just the jewelry it’s a thread of love and longevity worn by a married woman.It is believed wearing Mangalsutra protect the marriage of a couple, and essentially the life of the Husband. Mangalsutra is considered as an auspicious thread and believed to have divine powers as it has blessings of Shiva and Shakti.The black beads in the thread are used as it keeps the evil eye away from the relation of husband and wife. While Gold beads is a sign of good fortune as Gold is considered as an auspicious metal. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help in maintaining youth.
Mangalsutra not only has spiritual significance but also has scientific reasons. Wearing Mangalsutra around the neck near to heart not only controls the Blood pressure of our body but also helps to get rid of heart diseases.Even in a modern era with revolutionary thinking, the married woman still loves to follow their traditional values and customs with pride for the sake of her beloved husband and for his long life. It’s not a mere tradition, it is a belief of an Indian woman to adorn every jewelry with religious significance and grace.