Significance Of Bangles In Indian Culture

Bangles are type of ornaments worn by women in Indian. Also called Kangan or Chudi in Hindi, Valayal in Tamil ], Gaaju in Telugu, Bale in Kannada. Bangles are part of traditional Indian jewelry. In India, bangles are very popular and with growing fashion trends, have become a highly popular in their various designs and forms. They are usually worn in pairs by women, one or more on each arm. Most Indian women prefer wearing either gold or glass bangles or combination of both. Inexpensive bangles made from plastic are slowing replacing those made by glass, but the ones made by glass are still preferred at traditional occasion such as marriages and on festivals. Bangles hold great value in Hinduism and tradition. It is considered in inauspicious for a women to have bare arms. Traditionally, married Hindu women always weary bangles around their wrists. Today, the modern day women may not wear bangles with their daily attire, but only on occasion and festivals. This is because to them, bangles have a very sentimental value. In fact, to the Hindu women, bangle is not only an ornament, but also an important part of womanhood and honour.

A single bangle worn by man is called Kada or Kara(steel or iron bangle). Kada  is  circular  shaped bangle having religious significance to Sikhs, and is made of iron, white metal or gold.

-Prateet