The Thread That Binds: Marriages and Mangalsutras

Mangalsutras are also differently designed in different communities.

For example, the Tamilians wear the taali, an extraordinarily crafted pendant, the Maharashtrians swear by the black and gold beads with the double ‘vati’ pendant, one ‘vati’ standing for the bride’s parents’ home and the other for her husband’s. The Kannadigas add corals while the Gujaratis and Marwaris often go for a diamond pendant. The Kashmiri Pandits wear an unusual mangalsutra that goes through the ears!

Historically, the custom of tying a ‘mangalsutra’, the auspicious emblem or cord, on the wedding day, appears to have become popular only after the 6th century AD.

Before this, a yellow protective cord known as ‘kankanabandhana’ was tied around the wrists of the br Read more

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