5 Most Famous Maharashtrian Jewellery Styles For Neck

Maharashtra has a rich diverse culture and heritage and is a birthplace of great warriors. Maharashtra is known for its unique jewellery, attire, grand traditions and exquisite designs and crafting. It is divided into various regions each having its own cultural identity in the form of different dialect, folk songs, food, and ethnicity. Another beauty of this state is the traditional attire of the people and their exquisite jewellery.

The beautiful ornaments worn by Maharashtrian brides are truly captivating. Maharashtrian jewellery has a very royal feel to it as the designs have been passed on by the Marathas and Peshwas. Maharashtrian traditional jewellery is particularly made of gold which has always been a prominent aspect in Maharashtrian women’s attire. Maharashtra jewellery along with the traditional Paithani saree and the Chandrakor bindi make a stunning combination.

Maharashtra jewellery is unique in terms of its designs, patterns and craftsmanship and each piece of jewellery has a significant value associated with it. Maharashtrian necklaces are a very authentic and popular piece of jewellery as they are made in vibrant colour combinations and are hand-carved in ethnic designs. Here are some of the most famous Maharashtrian traditional jewellery styles to adorn the neck.

Tanmani: Tanmani necklace is also known as Peshwai Haar as it was crafted in the era of Peshwas. It is a choker style necklace made with pearl strands that can vary in numbers. The jewellery may even have precious stones embedded as a pendant or just spread across the choker.

Mohan Maala: This elegant jewellery piece comprises of round gold beads stringed beautifully in two or three layers. Mohan malas can have beads with cutwork designs on every string. Mohan malas are most commonly worn with Zari silk sarees on various religious occasions. This simple and classic designed necklace is a stunning neckpiece having a rich royal look.

Thushi: Thushi is a 22-carat gold choker style neckpiece that originated in Kolhapur. It is worn by a Maharashtrian bride at her wedding. It is crafted with gold beads joined together through an underlying mesh of strings and comes with an adjustable dori or thread. Each bead is adorned with intricate shapes and designs and has jowar gold seeds in it which indicate that the bride’s new home will always be blessed with food. The lower end can extend to form an inbuilt pendant that could be embedded with precious stones.

Putli haar: The Putli haar is an integral part of the Maharashtrian bridal jewellery and is made up of little gold coins woven closely together on a silk braided patwa cord. Each of these coins is carved with motifs of Goddess Lakshmi or Goddess Sita, which signifies wealth and fortune. Putli Haar comes in various lengths and each style looks equally elegant.

Kolhapuri Saaj: The Kolhapuri Saaj depicts 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu. This traditional Maharashtrian jewellery is a long necklace that has 21 leaves carved. Out of the 21 pendants, 10 pendants represent the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, 2 pendants have ruby & emerald stone, 8 pendants depict ashtamangal (‘ashta’ means eight & ‘mangal’ means good happenings) and the last pendant is taviz. Kolhapuri Saaj is predominantly famous in Kolhapur, Belgaum, and the southern belt of Maharashtra.

Other traditional dress of Maharashtra includes Nath (nose-pin), Bugdi (earring), Tode and Chooda (bangles), Ambada or Veni Phool (hair accessory), Jodvi (toe ring), Kudya (pearl earring), Vaki (armlet), Mundavlya etc. All these jewellery are an inherent part of the Marathi bridal ensemble.