Types of Mangalasutras

Mangalasutra or Thaali

Mangalasutra literally means “an auspicious thread” which is knotted around the bride’s neck 3 times. Three knots symbolize three different aspects of a married woman – the first knot represents her obedience to her husband, the second to his parents and the third represents her respect for God.

Introduction

It is usually a yellow thread prepared with turmeric. Sometimes gold, white or red beads are also added to the mangalasutra, depending on regional variation. It is a symbol of marriage but is only applicable to women, while men are exempt from this tradition. In certain communities, the groom ties the first of the three knots while his sisters tie the rest.

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Significance

The significance of the mangalasutra was re-iterated by Adi shankara in his famous book Soundarya Lahari. According to Hindu tradition, the mangala sutra is worn for the long life of the husband. Dictated by religious customs and social expectations, married women have to wear mangalasutra throughout their life as it is believed that it enhances the well-being of her husband. It is also believed that the mangalasutra protects the marriage from any evil eye. However, if the husband dies it is removed from her neck as a part of widowhood rituals.

Apart from the mangalasutra, the toe rings (mettelu), kumkuma, bangles, nalla pusalu (black pearls) and nose ring form six symbols that may indicate that a woman is married. While there are local variations with respect to the others, the mangalasutra is nevertheless a custom that most married women have to adhere to almost all over India.

Regional variations

In this Managalasutras, it varies from one region to another region. It is based on the system that they follow.
In many places maximum of Two sutras are found in which one is from groom and another one is from bride families. But in some places we can have Three sutras are found in which two are from as same as bride and groom family and the other one is from bride’s Maternal uncle(mena mama) so that the groom ties 2 sutars where the other one was tied by groom’s Mother Or Sister it depends on the tradition that follows from the past years.

Designs:

Mangala sutras are made in a variety of designs.The design is chosen by the groom’s and bride’s family according to prevalent customs.The common ones are the Lakshmi taali, pustelu worn by the Telugu people.Ela thaali or minnu worn by the Malayalees and the kumbha thaali worn by the Tamils.Gujaratis and Marwaris often use a diamond pendant in a gold chain, Maharashtrians wear a pendant of two vati ornaments.The managala sutra of Kannadas are similar to that of Maharashtrians.