Rajasthan jewellery and traditional dress reflect the rich culture and age-old customs of Rajasthan.
Scroll down to have a look at mesmerizing pieces of jewellery and Rajsthan costume.
Traditional Dress of Rajasthan
The traditional dress of Rajasthan for ladies is vibrant and elaborate. Rajasthani women dress in ghaghra, choli and odhni.
Ghaghra is a long skirt with pleats which comes in many colours, embroidery designs and fabrics, such as cotton, silk or georgette.
The choli also called kanchli or kurti covers the upper body. Both ghaghra and choli are embellished with mirror-work and sequins giving an ethnic touch to it.
The traditional dress of Rajasthan also includes a long veil called odhni or chunar, which features beautiful embroidery or mirror-work and is made of light fabric.
Traditional Jewellery of Rajasthan:
Borla
Borla is a Rajasthani Maang tikka and is round unlike the usual Maang tikka found in other Indian jewellery. Traditional Borla is made of pure gold and embellished with pearls and Kundan. Borla is the most peculiar traditional Rajasthani jewellery.
Nath
Nath is a gold nose ring in a hoop-like shape attached to the ear with a gold chain. Usually worn on the left nose, this Rajasthan jewellery is a mark of married women in Rajasthan.
Aad
A famous Rajasthan jewellery for the neck that is also referred to as Timaniya. It is a rectangular choker that is gifted to the bride by the bridegroom’s family. This neckpiece is studded with kundan and other precious stone giving a regal look to the bride.
Bangadi
Bangadi is a special pair of bangles worn by brides. Traditional Bangadi has a thick red lining around it which is covered with gold protrusions making it a heavy set of bangles.
Haath Phool
One of the most gorgeous Rajasthan Jewellery, haath phool is worn as a bangle on the wrist which is attached to a ring by a single or multiple chains. It is called hath phool as the ring is in a flower shape. They are made of gold, kundan or meenakari.
Kamarband
Another must-have Rajasthan jewellery, Kamrband is a waist chain of various designs crafted in either kundan or gold polki.
Bajuband
Bajubandh is an armlet worn to decorate the upper arm. Traditionally, it is embedded with meenakari work in red and green with studded stones. It adds elegance to the traditional dress of Rajasthan.
Raani Haar
Ranni haar is the longest neckpiece of Rajasthan jewellery that reaches till the naval. As the name suggests this necklace gives a grand and royal feel to a bride. This necklace is crafted in heavy kundan or polki work.
Lac bangles
The Rajasthani bridal ensemble is incomplete without lac bangles. This jewellery of Rajasthan was made of ivory but is now replaced with plastic.
These bangles run from the forearms up till the elbow of the bride and hold the religious bearing.
Surliya
Surliya that are hoop earrings have an ancient Mughal essence and give a majestic feel.
They are elegant, simple and attractive earring adorned by many Rajasthani women on various occasions.
Bichuwa
Bichuwa is a toe ring worn usually in the second toe of the feet and is gifted to the bride by parents. It is the most unique piece of Rajasthan jewellery that is made of floral designs and goes very well with the traditional dress of Rajasthan.
Jadau
Jadau jewellery is a combination of Polki and Kundan. It is one of the most excessive styles which includes so many handcrafted enamellings. In this technique, precious stones are embedded in gold. This piece of Rajasthan jewellery adds an ancient charm to any traditional apparel.
Meenakari
Meenakari is one of the most ancient jewellery styles which alludes allure. The technique of making involves colouring of a metal surface with the glass into outlines of various flowers. The coloured enamel is called Meena. It requires intricate work only a skilled artisan can do. It is the most demanded Rajasthan Jewellery and should be a part of your jewellery collection if you like nature-inspired colourful ornaments.
Thewa jewellery
Thewa is a combination of gold and glass in which gold is enamelled on the glass surface. Motifs that are designed on the jewellery, present the culture of Rajasthan. They are lightweight so can be carried easily with any style of outfit. The general designs are the peacock, royal procession, elephant, etc
Tribal Jewellery
Tribal jewellery is very popular among the Rajasthani women. This jewellery has broad hollow bells of silver that are worn by the Banjara tribal people of Rajasthan. Upper armlet, neck ring or hansuli and mandliya string neckband, along with a single waist chain and toe rings in “Gajre” outlines are some of the tribal jewellery that is exceptionally famous.
