Bangles (Chudi/Kangan) and bracelets (Kada/Bazuband) in Indian culture are far more than just decorative items. They are deeply intertwined with mythology, spirituality, and social customs, each type carrying a unique story and significance.
Here's a mythical story that intertwines the essence of bangles and bracelets, drawing from various Hindu mythological concepts:
The Cosmic Thread of Creation and the Blessings of the Earth-Goddess
In the primordial dance of creation, when Lord Brahma began to weave the fabric of the universe, there was a profound need for stability, protection, and continuous energy. From the endless cosmic thread of creation, the divine artisan, Vishwakarma, fashioned the first bangles and bracelets.
These weren't rigid circles but shimmering spirals of pure energy, imbued with the life-force of the cosmos. The bangles (chudi) were designed as continuous circles, symbolizing eternity, unbroken cycles of life, and the protection of the family unit. The bracelets (kada/bazuband), often thicker and more adorned, represented strength, authority, and the channeling of cosmic power.
The first to wear these divine adornments were the celestial deities themselves.
* Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of prosperity and abundance, wore golden bangles that chimed with the sound of wealth and good fortune. Each delicate clang was said to bring blessings and dispel poverty. Her bracelets on her upper arms (bazuband) radiated strength and the ability to bestow boundless riches.
* Goddess Parvati, the divine mother and consort of Shiva, adorned herself with bangles that pulsed with the energy of creation and nurturing. Her bangles, often made of various materials, represented her multifaceted nature – from the vibrant energy of lac bangles to the serene purity of shell bangles. It is said that during her wedding to Lord Shiva, the Lakhera community of bangle makers crafted special lac bangles for her, which Shiva lovingly gifted as a mark of their sacred union. This myth is often cited as the origin of the significance of lac bangles in marriage.
* Lord Krishna, the divine charmer and protector, is frequently depicted wearing intricate bracelets (kada) on his wrists and armlets (keyura) on his upper arms. These weren't just for beauty; they symbolized his immense strength, his ability to wield divine weapons, and his role as the protector of the innocent. His bracelets were said to channel the cosmic energy necessary for his divine लीला (leela - divine play).
The Descent to Earth and the Earth-Goddess's Boon:
As life flourished on Earth, the divine beings observed that humanity, while striving for goodness, was susceptible to vulnerabilities. Women, as nurturers and creators of life, needed a special connection to the Earth's protective energies.
Moved by their devotion, the Bhumi Devi (Earth Goddess), in conjunction with the celestial powers, blessed the bangles and bracelets, imbuing them with specific properties:
* Protection and Auspiciousness: The continuous circle of the bangle symbolizes an unbroken flow of energy, warding off evil spirits and negative influences. It creates a protective aura around the wearer, especially married women, signifying their suhag (marital bliss) and ensuring the longevity and well-being of their husbands. The sound of clinking bangles is believed to attract positive vibrations and ward off ill omens.
* Fertility and Nurturing: Certain types of bangles, like those made from shell (shankha) or lac, are deeply connected to fertility and new beginnings. The legend of the Bengali Shakha Pola (white conch shell and red coral bangles) often traces back to ancient coastal communities where conch shells, symbolizing purity and the bounty of the ocean, were used to create bangles for married women, representing their connection to life-giving forces.
* Channelling Energy: The circular shape of bangles is also believed to channel and retain the body's positive energy, preventing it from escaping. This continuous circulation is said to promote physical and mental well-being.
* Symbol of Strength and Status: For men, a single heavy bracelet or kada often symbolizes strength, valor, and commitment to one's faith (as seen in the Sikh tradition of wearing a Kara). In ancient times, elaborately jeweled armlets (bazuband) worn by kings and warriors indicated their power and status.
Thus, when an Indian woman adorns her wrists with bangles or a man wears a bracelet, they are not simply wearing ornaments. They are participating in a timeless ritual, connecting to the cosmic threads of creation, invoking the blessings of the Earth-Goddess and celestial deities, and carrying forward a mythical legacy of protection, prosperity, and continuous life. Each piece is a whispered prayer, a sacred shield, and a testament to the enduring power of adornment in Indian culture.

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Kashmiri bangles

Kashmiri bangles