Traditional jewelries for a modern look!

If you’ve heard the melodious song of Rajamati, then you’ll know how lads of her days fell for her. It wasn’t just her beauty that got people fell head over heels for her, the tale has it that as beautiful as she was, the ornaments that she used, especially her ‘bijakani’, the ear piece, was equally beautiful and accentuated her splendor.

Needless to say, women have always used ornaments to add that extra sparkle to their look. And over the years, the culture of wearing jewelry has evolved. While jewelries are a must in the wardrobe of married women, there are still a lot of others that we can include in our look.

Taya:

It is a traditional neckpiece made of gold, and a pendant in the shape of snake, or shesh nagas. In the Newar culture, snakes are considered important gods, and having them with you is considered lucky and works as a charm. Also, it's an important jewelry piece worn by the Kumari, the living/virgin goddess. Wearing it by ordinary folks started only later. Besides carrying cultural significance, it's also an exquisite piece of jewelry. These days, however, many women wear a simpler version of it: With a silver or gold chain, and a small pendant with snakes, or without it.

Asharfi Mala

Showing off your wealth and class is normal, but having strands of coins made of gold or silver around your neck shows a different kind of affluence. It's believed that money attracts money, and what better way to support that than by wearing it? Traditionally, people of different ethnicities wear it. However, it was first seen being worn in the Rana regime, by the Rana people. The letters inscribed are in Urdu. These days, as well, it's popular in the form of rings and in minimalist chains. So, won't you attract money by donning money?

Navaratna

navaratna-

Navaratna, or nine gems, is a popular and exotic jewelry item, worn not only by women but men as well. Each gem in the setting represents a different planet of the solar system: The ruby is for the Sun, pearl for Moon, coral for Mars, emerald for Mercury, yellow sapphire for Jupiter, diamond for Venus, blue sapphire for Saturn, hessonite for Rahu, and cat's eye for Ketu. In the olden days, people believed that wearing this in the form of a ring, locket, necklace or bracelet would protect a person from getting sick, and also help an individual prosper in life. So, how can you exclude this out of the world of beauty?

Makasi earrings

Makasi earrings are traditionally worn by the Newar people, and especially Jyapu women. They are the typically made of gold alloy but can be found in silver and are shaped like a bucket and are hollow inside to give a light shape, so that they can be convenient for daily use. These earrings are unique for their shape and look, and can be of any size. These beauties have found a place in the modern look as well, with many girls and women opting for it to complete their look. Many jewelry stores these days are found to be selling a modified look, making it friendlier to the modern look.

Kalli

These are traditional ornaments which are gifted during the rice feeding ceremony of a child, and are believed to help the child walk properly. However, even women wear kallis with intricate patterns. One can assume that such a beautiful and complicated anklet would complement the traditional Newari wear of haku patasi, which is always worn above the ankles.

Panchadhatu
Chura (bangle)

Traditionally, in Newar culture, parents assemble a set of jewelries for their daughters that would be used for a series of ceremonies throughout their life. The panchadhatu chura is one of them. It's made with gold, silver, iron, copper, and zinc, believing that these represent the five elements of nature. Each end of the bracelet has gold finishing in the shape of a lion. Ancient texts even have it that Lord Krishna asked Arjun to wear the Panchdhatu bracelet to perform well in the battle of Mahabharat. It's still a popular jewelry to adorn that will go well with your traditional and casual look equally.