Karwa Chauth dressing is often defined by the details: vermilion tracing the hair parting, the glint of gold against a silk saree and jasmine flowers tucked into a carefully arranged bun. These finishing touches come together in ‘solah shringar’, a traditional practice of adorning oneself with 16 elements associated with beauty, auspiciousness and married life in several Hindu communities.
The word ‘solah’ means sixteen, while ‘shringar’ refers to adornment. Although the precise list varies across regions and families, the ritual traditionally brings together cosmetics, jewellery, floral accents and fragrance. Today, heirloom ornaments can share the dressing table with fine jewellery and prestige beauty products, allowing the ritual to evolve without losing its cultural associations.
The Adornments and Their Modern Interpretations
Sindoor: A Mark of Marriage
Applied along the hair parting, sindoor holds marital significance in several Hindu traditions. Lakmé Forever Matte Sindoor, available in red and maroon shades, offers a contemporary liquid format with a sponge-tip applicator. Priced at approximately Rs 215, it brings a familiar ritual into a convenient beauty routine.
Bindi: A Forehead Accent
The bindi draws attention to the forehead and can bring a considered finish to festive makeup. Parul Garg Beauty’s Utsav Bindi Patta, priced at approximately Rs 190, offers decorative, self-adhesive bindis in multiple designs. A traditional red bindi remains an enduring choice, while embellished styles complement elaborate festive jewellery.
Maang Tikka: Jewellery for the Hair Parting
Suspended from the hair and resting at the centre of the forehead, the maang tikka frames the face and lends symmetry to a traditional ensemble. Tanishq’s Divine Descent Gold Maang Tikka, featuring 22-karat yellow gold, glass kundan stones and bead tassels, is a statement-making option. Its listed price is approximately Rs 3.14 lakh, subject to prevailing gold rates and product availability.
Kajal: Definition for the Eyes
Kajal has long been part of Indian beauty traditions, lending depth and definition to the eyes. CHANEL Stylo Yeux Waterproof longwear eyeliner and kohl pencil, available at Rs 3,000 (approx.) offers a precision-pencil format with a water-resistant formula, making it a useful choice for a long festive evening. A softly defined eye balances ornate jewellery and richly coloured clothing without competing with either.
Nath: A Traditional Nose Ornament
The nath is one of the most distinctive elements of traditional Indian bridal jewellery. Its forms range from delicate gold rings to elaborate ornaments accented with pearls. Bluestone’s Adina nose ring Diamond Nose Ring in 18Kt Yellow Gold (1.07 grams) with Diamonds (0.169 Ct), priced at approximately Rs 39,000 offers a starting point for those seeking traditional nose jewellery to complement a festive saree or lehenga. The choice can be understated or dramatic, depending on the scale of the other ornaments.
Earrings: Framing the Face
Earrings bring dimension to the face and help establish the mood of an ensemble. Mirari Fine Jewels’ Vivid Paisley Emerald Studs from the Mogra collection feature a paisley silhouette centred on a pear-shaped emerald, complemented by tiny round pearl beads and a pear-shaped pink sapphire at the top.
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Set in 18-karat yellow gold, the design lends a refined touch to traditional festive dressing. The price is available on request.
Mangalsutra or Necklace: An Ornament Close to the Heart
The mangalsutra carries marital significance in many Hindu communities, making it an important part of solah shringar. Hazoorilal Jewellers’ God Figurine Mangalsutra brings a devotional element to this traditional ornament, combining religious symbolism with the craftsmanship of fine jewellery. Priced at approximately Rs 5.07 lakh, the design offers a statement-making interpretation of an adornment that holds personal and cultural meaning.
Mehendi: Patterns of Celebration
Mehendi transforms the hands into a canvas of floral, paisley and geometric patterns. The ritual is closely associated with weddings and festive occasions, with designs ranging from fine jaali work to elaborate bridal compositions. Natural henna applied by a skilled artist gives the patterns time to develop into a deeper stain, making the preparation itself part of the occasion.
Choodiyan: The Sound of Festivity
Bangles introduce movement, colour and texture to the wrists. Amrapali Jewels’ Classic Navratna Openable Bangle in 18-karat gold, listed at Rs 3.7 lakh, features multicoloured gemstones that bring a vivid dimension to festive dressing. Worn alongside red or green glass bangles, a fine-jewellery piece can lend a contemporary edge to a traditional stack.
Bajuband: An Heirloom-Inspired Accent
Worn around the upper arm, the bajuband has a distinctive place in traditional bridal adornment. The Vintage Art Gold Bajuband crafted in 22-karat gold with kundan and pearls, is listed at Rs 77,364 lakh. Its ornate detailing works particularly well with sleeveless blouses and traditional lehengas, lending the silhouette an old-world sensibility.
Rings: Details That Carry Meaning
Rings can be personal keepsakes as well as decorative accents. Amrapali Jewels’ Empress Flame Ring in 18-karat gold, listed at Rs 1.51 lakh, features a pear-cut rubellite surrounded by diamonds. Its vivid centre stone adds a striking flash of colour to the hands, complementing the intricate patterns of mehendi.
Kamarband: Ornamenting the Waist
The kamarband highlights the waist while bringing definition to a saree or lehenga. Curio Cottage’s 18K Gold-Plated Green Drop Kundan Stone-Studded Kamarband, priced at Rs 4,400, features green drop accents and traditional kundan-style detailing. Its ornate design offers a festive finishing touch, complementing embroidered blouses and richly coloured ensembles without the investment associated with fine-jewellery waist belts.
Payal: A Finishing Touch for the Feet
The payal, or anklet, brings a delicate finishing touch to traditional festive dressing. BlueStone’s The Aaila Anklet, priced at approximately Rs 3.17 lakh, offers a contemporary interpretation of this classic adornment. Its design complements the movement of a saree or lehenga, adding a refined accent to a Karwa Chauth ensemble. Paired with open-toe footwear and understated toe rings, it allows the jewellery to draw attention to the feet without overwhelming the overall look.
Bichhiya: Traditional Toe Rings
Bichhiya, or toe rings, are associated with married women in several Indian communities and remain an important element of solah shringar. Jos Alukkas’ Captivating Designer Toe Ring, priced at approximately Rs 47,000, offers a fine-jewellery interpretation of this traditional adornment. Its intricate design brings a decorative touch to the feet, complementing an elaborate Karwa Chauth ensemble while preserving the cultural significance of the ornament.
Gajra: The Fragrance of Fresh Flowers
A gajra of jasmine introduces fragrance and softness to festive dressing. Wound around a bun or woven into a braid, the flowers provide a natural counterpoint to the gleam of gold and gemstones. For a jewellery-led interpretation, a pearl-accented gold juda pin can complement the flowers while adding a decorative element to the hairstyle.
Itra: The Invisible Adornment
The final adornment is fragrance, traditionally achieved through itra, a form of perfumery known for its concentrated aromatic oils. Contemporary perfumes offer a modern interpretation of this finishing touch, leaving a memorable trail long after the jewellery and clothing have been put away. CHANEL’s Coromandel Eau de Parfum, from the house’s Les Exclusifs de CHANEL collection, offers an opulent blend of amber, woody notes and vanilla, inspired by the lacquer screens that fascinated Gabrielle Chanel. Priced from Rs 21,950 on the brand’s Indian website, the fragrance lends a warm, sophisticated finish to a Karwa Chauth ensemble.
Tradition That Leaves Room for Personal Style
Solah shringar does not follow one universally fixed list. Its components and interpretations vary across regions, communities and families. Some versions incorporate the bridal garment, hair adornments or alta, while others count different pieces of jewellery separately.
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For Karwa Chauth, the appeal of these adornments lies in their personal associations as much as their visual splendour. A treasured mangalsutra, a pair of heirloom bangles, intricate mehendi or jasmine tucked into the hair can each become part of an individual ritual. Whether interpreted through traditional ornaments or contemporary fine jewellery, solah shringar brings together cultural memory, craftsmanship and personal expression.
