KNOWING - SOLAH SHRINGAAR

Since time immemorial, a bride's book has pages filled with facts about solah shringaar. The sixteen pieces of adornment are not only symbols of a bride's marital status but have deep-rooted implications. Even Indian mythology has some exciting instances. Remember the episode in the epic Ramayana by sage Valmiki when Anusuya gives her ornaments to Sita and tells her that a married woman must always illuminate herself with solah shringaar.

Read the epic poem Geet Govind by Jayadeva and you are bound to find sweet references of shringaar when Radha asks Lord Krishna to adorn her body with jewellery, her hair with flowers, put a bindi on her forehead and earrings on her ears when it is time for her to go home. The pieces of shringaar not only serve the purpose of gracing the woman but are essential tokens of her social status and virtue as the torch bearer. Popular culture would have us believe that our heritage, customs and rituals have no logical base. However, contrary to this, these rituals are a development of scientific study and research. Indian sages and seers were scholars of astrology, ayurveda and astronomy. Even with evolving times like ours, their research provides us with appropriate explanations behind the adornments.

There are only sixteen items of a bride's beautification and not more or less. It is because the solah shringaar corresponds to the sixteen phases of the moon, presumably linked to a woman's menstrual cycle, leading to negative effects on a woman's mental and physical wellness. Our ancient sages believed these effects can be repealed by wearing the sixteen items of cosmetics and jewellery. There are scientific reasons behind each element of shringaar which enhances a bride's beauty. The reasons help in making her more adept at her wifely duties.

The Colours Of Shringaar

Sindoor is the most significant element of the solah shringaar. It symbolises the beginning of a woman's marriage and the commencement of her sexual life. It is applied in the middle parting line of the bride's hair, where the brahmarandra aperture is a woman's point of balance. The mercury present in the sindoor helps in cooling down the bride. After marriage, the free-spirited girl transforms into a woman and has to shoulder the responsibilities which can devitalise her.