Indian women love and crazy for wearing especially gold ornaments, jewels.Besides, they too love wearing silver ornaments. Whatever they wear, whether it is nose pin, ear stud, bangles, toe-rings or mangalsutra, it has got its unique place, importance of its own and significance, meaning attached to it. Toe-rings and mangalsutra has got upper hand and predominance among all these ornaments.
Most of the people in general unaware about the chemistry or logic behind wearing toe-rings and Mangalsutra by most of the Indian women particularly by Hindu women. It is commonly under the notion or understood or believed that it is a tradition of wearing toe-rings or mangalsutra among Indian women and is a sign that the woman is married.
Then why Indian women wear toe-rings (Bicchiya):- There is a Science behind this. Most Indian women who are married wear a toe-ring. It’s not only a sign that the woman is married, it’s also science. Indian Vedas (Vedham or Vedam) say that by wearing this in both feet, it is believed, that their menstrual cycle course is regularized with even intervals. This gives good scope for conceiving to married women. Also it is said just because that particular nerve in the second finger from toe also connects the uterus and passes through heart. If you notice, the toe ring will always be on the second toe of the right and left leg. It will control the uterus and keep it healthy by producing evenly balanced blood pressure to the uterus…As Silver being a good conductor, it also absorbs the energy from the polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body, thus refreshing whole body system. In great Indian epic called ‘Ramayana’ toe ring plays a vital role. When Sita was abducted by Ravana, on the way, she threw her toe ring (kaniazhi) as the identification for lord Rama. This shows that toe ring is used from ancient time.
Why do Indian women wear mangalsutra?
A Hindu married woman is supposed to wear a lot of ornaments to symbolise that she is married. Earrings, toe rings, bangles, mangalsutra etc. are some of the ornaments which have to be worn by every Hindu married woman. Of all these, the Mangalsutra is the most essential ornament which is to be worn compulsorily and women are not supposed to take it off under any circumstance. The word Mangalsutra is derived from two words,’ Mangal’ which means auspicious and ‘Sutra’ which means thread. This sacred thread is tied around the neck of the bride by the groom at the time of marriage. By tying the Mangalsutra around her neck, the groom gives his bride the status of being his wife. After this the woman is supposed to wear the Mangalsutra as a sign of being married, love, goodwill of her husband and prosperity of the family she is married into.
The ceremony of tying the Mangalsutra is known as Mangalyadharanam which means wearing the auspicious.
This custom may sound a little strange but there are many religious and scientific implications of wearing the Mangalsutra. Let us find out why married women wear the Mangalsutra. Significance of Mangalsutra Mangalsutra is not an ordinary ornament. It is known as Thaali, Mangalyam, Pustelu and various other names in different parts of India. But the significance of this ornament remains the same everywhere. A Mangalsutra is a mark of respect, love and dignity which is presented to the wife by her husband. The Mangalsutra is a symbolic representation of the divine deities which is Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As per scripture of the Mangalsutra, the gold part represents Parvati and the black beads which hold the gold represents Lord Shiva. Gold is a symbol of prosperity and well-being. Hence, it is believed that if a woman wears the Mangalsutra, she brings happiness and prosperity in the family. According to scriptures, the Mangalsutra attracts a lot of positive and divine energy. In a Mangalsutra the two golden cups are hollow from one side and is raised on the other side. The Mangalsutra is worn with the hollow side facing the body so that the positive energies are attracted towards the void of the cups. This helps to keep the body and mind healthy. By wearing the Mangalsutra, the woman gains energy and power. It connects the body to the divine Shakti which resides in the body in the form of an element, fire. This gives the woman the energy to take care of the entire family and well-being of each member. So, Mangalsutra is not just an ornament or a symbol of being married. It is also a device which empowers Hindu married women to look after their family and staying healthy as well.
Shekar Moily
