Bridal Costumes of India

Weddings are a great way to experience first-hand the culture, rituals, food habits, clothing, and lifestyles of any community. In India, a wedding is a celebration where everyone is invited to bless the bride and groom on their new journey.

Red is the predominant color of bridal customs in India. In our culture, it signifies new beginnings, passion, and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, symbolizing new beginnings and feminine power. In Indian culture, the woman is the one who leaves her house and goes to the man’s house to be with his family. It’s a far bigger change for the woman than the man, so it is appropriate that she be the one commanding the most attention and wearing a bold color like red that symbolizes new life.

The Indian bride usually wears a wedding sari or lehenga according to regional traditions. In Indian culture, the wedding dress of a bride comes from the groom’s side as a Shagun. While the saree is preferred as the bridal dress in South India, West and East India, traditional wear such as the mekhela sador is preferred in North-east India, and brides of the North of India prefer Lehenga, Gagra Choli, and Odni as bridal dresses.

The Kashmiri bride complements her looks with weaved sarees, which are remarkably jazzy due to their adorned work. The bride completes her wedding look with Tarang, Kalpush, Zoojhis, and matching dupatta. Their jewelry consists of heavy necklaces, bangles, payals, and a special ornament called Dejharoo, akin to a Mangalsutra in Indian culture.

Punjabi brides wear a Salwar Kameez, an extremely opulent pant suit, or lengha. The bride wears white and dark red bangles made of ivory known as ‘Chooda’. According to tradition, the bride must wear it for at least a year after her marriage. Chooda and Kaleeras are the real essentials of a Punjabi bride’s wedding day look.

The outfit of a Manipuri bride is colorful and has a distinct style which is hard to find in any other community. A traditional Manipuri bride dons a skirt called Raslila on her wedding occasion. The Chakmas brides also wear black and red sarongs which are also known as Pindhan in the local language. This entire outfit is teamed up with a blouse known as Silum. The Magh brides from the Manipuri community don the Thami sarong that covers almost the entire body and is coupled with a choli or a blouse which is full sleeved.

The Bengali bride wears a Banarasi saree, preferably in red embellished with gold details or embroidery to match the gold jewelry. The traditional Bengali bridal look comprises a beautiful red Banarasi saree, alta or red water color on the hands and feet, mathapatti, necklaces, mukut, and red and white bangles with gold.

The Marathi bride during the wedding puts on a beautiful yellow or green Paithani saree with a golden border, hair tied in a neat bun, decorated with pearl ornaments and Gajra. The Paithani saree can either be woven in Kanjeevaram silk or even Banarasi silk. Mundavalya is the red and white beaded string-like ornament that the bride wears across their forehead during their wedding ceremony. Two beaded strings also fall from the string on either side of the forehead. Kolhapuri Saaz is the mangalsutra of Marathi brides.

The Gujarati bridal saree is called a Panetar. Gujarati brides prefer to wear the traditional cream/white and red saree for the wedding rituals. Many brides also choose Panetar style wedding lehenga choli made in white/cream and red colors. Kundan necklace, heavy Jadau earrings or Jhumkas, rings, Nathani or nose ring, armlets, hand ornaments, anklets, bangles, hair ornaments, and Maang tikka or the forehead jewelry comprise the entire array of jewels the bride adorns herself with. Gujarati brides also wear fine Bandhani sarees during their wedding ceremonies. One such glorious Bandhani saree is called a Gharchola, traditionally made in the colors of red/maroon and green with Bandhani work and metallic and thread embroidery.

Tamilian brides dignify their wedding look with a Kanchipuram Saree or Madurai Silk. A typical Tamil bride usually wears a Kanjeevaram Saree in bright colors with contrasting borders that have gold threads woven into beautiful patterns. Tamil brides are adorned with gorgeous-looking heavy gold jewelry, passed on from one generation to the next. A few prominent jewelry pieces that adorn a Tamil bride are Metti (Toe Ring), Kolusu (Anklet), Oddiyanam (HipBelt), Vanki (Armlets), Maanga Malai (Mango-shaped necklace), Nose Ring or Nose Stud, Earrings, Thalaisamaan (on the forehead), Jadanagam (decorated braid). No Tamil marriage is complete without wearing flowers on the women’s head.

The Malayali bride wears a white saree with a golden border known as ‘kasavu saree’. The Kerala bride has started pairing her traditional white and gold saree with a shiny red silk blouse, layered gold jewelry, and lots of flowers in her hair. Her minimal jewelry and makeup, matching bangles, and that oh-so-pretty Kamar Bandh are enough to make her look like a perfect Kerala bride.

The Department of Posts is pleased to issue two sets of Souvenir Sheet with commemorative postage stamps Bridal Costumes of India and celebrates the vibrant colors and spirit of Indian weddings.