Every south Indian bride knows that her wedding attire is incomplete without adding a touch of temple jewelry! Usually paired with the ever-green Kanjeevaram sarees, these prized traceries have survived the test of time to dish out as the ultimate option for a modern-day bride.
What Is Temple Jewelry?
Temple jewelry represents India’s rich culture and history in the form of an intricately designed and handcrafted accessory. It is one of the most artful jewelry kinds engraved with a depiction of Gods and Goddesses from the south Indian temples.
These simple yet ornate jewelry pieces are carved from gold and silver, available in necklaces, bangles, kamarbandhs, chokers, rings and earrings. A modern twist to these traditional ornaments includes a fusion of gemstones, diamonds and lacework to give the pieces a heavy look – that’s quite a comeback!
History of Temple Jewelry
This heirloom of today’s south Indian bride’s jewelry collection was originated somewhere in the 9th century during the reign of the Pandya and Chola dynasty. Temple jewelry was constructed from metal donations that were made to the south Indian temples. These jewelry pieces were reserved for adorning the royals and deities.
Later, the devotees and dancers started imitating such jewelry in their routine practices by getting inspired by temple history and architecture. Due to this, temple jewelry started gaining attraction and became a statement piece of religious sentiment.
How Is the Temple Jewelry Crafted?
The most basic form of this jewelry is handcrafted from either gold or silver, drawing inspiration from the illustrations, sculptures and carvings of the south Indian temples.
The original process of making temple jewelry starts with dyes and moulds of god idols, leaves and more motifs. The moulds are then filled with molten gold, beaten metal or gold foils. However, even silver is used to craft temple jewelry which is then coated with gold foil.
Once the molten gold is set, it is sent to solder and polished to keep the jewelry undamaged. It may take days or months to make, depending on the intricacy of the jewelry.
Types of Temple Jewelry
Temples jewelry can be moulded into various types of ornaments for bridal collection. Here are some of the most popular bridal jewelry forms:
- Hair Accessories
Studded with pearls, stones and other precious metals, temple jewelry hair accessories are silver with gold plating. These accessories are tied from the top of your forehead to the end of the plait.
- Harams
In south India, long chains are known as harams. They are designed to enhance the bride’s beauty by including a string of flowers, rudraksha stones, Hindu deity figures and gold coins.
- Chokers and Necklaces
Precious gemstones and pearls in Indian choker amplify the beauty of a bride’s neck and glorify the festive occasion. They also symbolise Goddess Lakshmi – an incarnation of wealth.
- Kamarbandhs/Waist Bands
Made from gold or gold-plated silver, classical dancers and brides primarily wear these ornaments for achieving a divine look.
- Armlets
These status symbols are attachable and are given the shape of a temple sanctum. The sculpture of Goddess Lakshmi is placed in the middle to provide the design with an exquisite look.
- Toe Rings
With the silver used as a base metal, toe rings are crafted with precious gemstones and semi-precious gemstones.
Common Motifs Used for Temple Jewelry
Temple jewelry seeks inspiration from deities, temple structures and divine figures for their basic form. Hence, the most common motifs you can see in temple jewelry are female deities in addition to elements such as gold leaves, coins, bells, trees, and more.
Evolution of Temple Jewelry
As technology evolved, the crafting of temple jewelry has shifted from being completely handcrafted to opting for the help of machinery for finishing and polishing. This evolution has created a positive result by reducing the time taken for crafting each jewelry piece.
Cultural Significance of Temple Jewelry for Brides
The notion of temple evokes a divine feeling every time you wear this piece of jewelry. Brides that look to add an essence of tradition on their special day, choose temple jewelry. Since these are made from gold, it is also considered a great investment for a bridal array – even more than diamonds!
Wrapping Up
Temple jewelry is a wonderful addition to your bridal accessory collection because it adds a traditional touch to your wedding scenes.
Author Bio:
Niyati Shah is a content specialist with Aurus Jewels, where she helps the digital team in developing unique, engaging, and informative lifestyle content. She covers the latest trends and topics pertaining to fine Indian jewelry, be it modern, traditional, or antique. She also writes on topics that help define and guide women, especially brides. With her experience in design and fashion, along with her passion for jewelry, she offers insightful value to her readers.
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