All Indian Wedding Jewelry Worn by an Indian Bride

Indian Bridal Jewelry Worn on the Face and the Head

Maang Tika is a traditional Indian wedding jewelry that is worn in the middle part of the hair. There is a clip at the back, which attaches it to the bride’s hair. The front of the Maang Tika is a decorative piece, which rests on the forehead.
For the Tikka can be made of gold with precious gems embedded in it (like the Kundan style of jewelry) or can be an image of a deity in gold. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jain Jain brides were a “Maang Tika” at their wedding. Kashmiri and Himachal brides wear a large ornament on their forehead called “Dekhdaman”. Indian Christian Brides sometimes wear a Tiara.
Maang Tikka is also known as “Mangtika”, “Mathapatti”, “Papidi Billa” or “Papidi Tilikam” (In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), “Netti Bottu” (Karnataka), “Nettichutti” (Kerala), “Nethi Chutty” or “Vagupu Chutti” (Tamil nadu and Chettiar), “Mundale” (Kondan and Malabar region), “Tikoly” (West Bengal), “Borla” (Rajasthan where the Maang Tika ends in a spherical jewel, rather than in a flat pendant)

“Shringar Patti” is a bridal ornament that is placed along the bride’s hairline, forehead and hair. The “Shringar patti” is usually worn with a “Maang Tika”.
“Shringar Patti” is also known as “Bandhi” (Gujarat), “Thale Bottu” (Karnataka), “Rakhdi” (Rajput) and“Tikoly” (West Bengal).

Jhumar or Jhoomar or Jhoomer, is a bridal ornament that is worn in the hair, usually on the left side. Jhoomer has a clip that attaches it to the bride’s hair.
Jhoomar is made of gold, silver, pearls, precious stones, crystals.
Jhoomar or Jhoomer is usually worn by North Indian brides and is popular among Muslim and Pakistani brides. Tamil Brides wear two round jewels on their hair; one in the shape of a sun (“Surya Pirai”) and the other in the shape of the moon (“Chandra Pirai”).
Jhoomar in called “Passa” in English.

Hair “Chotli” or “Jidai Billai” is a long bridal jewelry that covers the bride’s hair plaits. All hair braids are covered with this ornament.
One form of the “Billai” or “Jidai Billai” is 9 round jewels of decreasing size, with the largest worn on top of the hair plait/braid and the smallest at the bottom. This is also called “Naga Jidai” or “Naga Jada”, if the jewels depict cobras. Cobras symbolize fertility.
“Jidai Billai”/”Chotli” is usually worn by brides from South India. Tamil brides tie “Kandasaram” and “Kechaparam”on their hair braids. “Paranda” is decorative thread around plaits and is popular in North India, especially among Punjabis.
For brides that prefer to roll their hair into a bun, rather than in plaits, they have the option of wearing a “Juda” (hair bun) pin or “Rakodi”. In Tamil Nadu it is known as “Rakkadi”. Tamil Brides also wear a “Thirugupoo” which is a round ornament on the back of their head.
In addition to jewels on their hair, Indian Brides also prefer to put fragrant flowers in their hair. This is called “Gajra” or “Veni”.

Popular earrings designs for Indian brides include “Jhumkas” (bell shaped long hanging earrings), Chandelier earrings (long hanging earrings), “Sahara Chain” (earning is supported by a chain that goes over the ear and clips to the hair).
Bridal earnings worn in different parts of India are “Bali” (Punjabi and Sikh wedding), “Butti” (usually Kundan) (Marwari, Rajput), “Jhimiki” or “Jhumki” or “Jimikki” or “Thodu” or “Olai” (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala), “Buttalu” (Andhra), “Durcan” (Kashmir) and “Kaan Jhumuka” (West Bengal).

Bridal nose rings are usually worn on the left nose and they can be either clipped to the nose or screwed in a hole in the nose stead or nostril. Many Indian bridal nose rings extend from the nose to the hair, where it is clipped over the left ear.
Brides from Maharashtra wear an “Ambi Nath” made of made of gold and pearls in “Ambi” (Paisley) design. Tamil brides wear various types of noses rings called “Mookuthi”/ “Mukkuthi”, “Besari”, “Bullakku”. “Nath” is the name for the nose ring worn by Punjabi brides, Gujarati brides, Marwari/Marwadi brides and Rajput brides.