The Indian women’s jewellery box has long been ornamented with temple jewellery, one of the handcrafted treasures of the country for decades. Ask Deepika Padukone, who chose wonderfully this heritage classic jewelry for her Konkani wedding ceremony last year. It is claimed that a south Indian woman is not fully adorned until she adds a cherished piece of temple jewellery to her outfit. Traditional and ethnic temple jewellery designs are expertly and meticulously created from precious metals and stones, drawing inspiration from ancient buildings and deity art. In South India, during the rule of the Chola and Pandya kings in the ninth century A.D., temple jewelry is thought to have first appeared. Temple jewellery set was once reserved and limited to use by deities and members of royal families, but through time it has come to be a staple of every bride’s trousseau.
As it is said to bring luck, blessings, and prosperity, it is also adorned on auspicious occasions and festivals. Let’s know more about this with a brief guide on temple jewelry.
What is Temple Jewellery
The cultural legacy of the southern Indian states is greatly influenced by temple jewellery, which is among the most artistic jewellery designs. These subtle-yet-artful pieces of work, which are sculpted from gold and silver and embossed with representations of gods and goddesses from south India's temples, have been coming back to the fashion world. The modern update to this jewelry style now includes diamonds, gemstones, and filigree work as well to highlight individual pieces and make them look heavier and more gorgeous. It is generally available as temple jewellery necklace sets, earrings, bangles, rings, temple choker necklace, kamarbandhs, etc.
Emeralds, diamonds, pearls, rubies, and other valuable and semi-precious stones are used to decorate traditional temple jewellery, which is created from pure gold. Most of the designs and patterns are influenced by flowers, peacocks, elephants, and Hindu gods and goddesses such as Lord Shiva, Ganapathi, and Goddess Lakshmi. Brides adore to include temple jewellery in their bridal jewellery because of its exquisite craftsmanship and timelessness. South Indian brides adore accessorizing their wedding day with priceless and antique temple jewellery set for marriage. The Lakshmi haram is a perennial favorite among brides. It is a lengthy necklace with elaborate designs and Lakshmi-themed motifs that are set with precious stones and diamonds.
History and Origin of Temple Jewellery
The Chola and Pandya empires are credited with creating temple jewellery. This type of jewellery originally created using precious metal doted to the temples in South India and was intended to be worn by deities and royalty. Traditional jewelers took inspiration from temple architecture, history, and the beauty of deities as temple dancers and devotees began to use copies of such jewellery in their daily routines. Temple jewellery developed through time into a piece that convey religious sentiments and as result, became a crucial heirloom as a bridal jewellery set in every south Indian bride’s trousseau.
Types of Temple Jewellery
The jewelry sold in South India includes Kasina Sara (coin chains), Kadagas (bracelets), Kankanas (wristlets), armlets, talis, waistbands, and numerous headpieces (Kirita-Mukntas). Some of the jewels worn on various regions of the body are Masks, Karnapatra, Chandra-Bottu, Abhaya, Varada Hastas, and Padtnapithas. These jewels were occasionally donated by kings and queens and are currently displayed at many Indian temples.
Temple jewellery comes in a number of types, and because Indian classical dancers use it so frequently, it is also commonly referred to as Bharatanatyam jewellery or dance jewelry. It is mostly separated into two categories. The first kind is referred to as occasional temple jewellery and is typically worn by ladies at formal occasions including weddings, baby showers, and traditional festivals. On these occasions, jewellery like earrings, bangles, chains, bracelets, necklaces, temple choker set, rings, toe rings, etc. is frequently worn.
The second type of temple jewellery is known as temple bridal jewellery, and it is particularly worn by brides on their wedding day or by classical dancers as well who wear them during dance performances. Anklets, armlets, hair accessories, waistbands, hip chains, nose rings, and even temple jewellery mangalsutra are some pieces of temple jewellery that are frequently worn on these occasions.
Designs and Motifs Used in Temple Jewellery
By definition, temple jewellery draws its design inspirations from deities, temple tops, and primitive representations of divine figures. The most popular motifs utilized by jewelers are the goddess Lakshmi and other female goddesses. In addition to that, the temple jewellery collection also features other repeating designs like bells, coins, leaves, trees, and so on.
Temple jewellery is made by skilled jewelers and creative craftsmen. The jewelry may occasionally take up to a year to deliver due to the skill involved in its creation. Kemp stones and Kundan jewellery stones are the types of stones used in Indian temple jewellery. They are valuable and semi-precious stones that are uncut and polished. The stones are used in temple choker necklace sets, nose rings, hip chains, earrings, and necklaces, among other accessories.
The majority of the traditional motifs and designs were kept by South Indian goldsmiths. A common traditional theme is a double-headed eagle, or Gandabherunda, which served as the Hoysala Kings' royal emblem in the past. This specific motif can be seen in all South Indian jewellery up till the Nayaka era. The lotus flower, the Kallippu, and the Nerinchippu are among the indigenous flowers and birds whose names are based on the temple jewelry of South India. Some of the jewelry is also given animal or bird names, such as Kokku (crane), Tavalai (frog), Amai (turtle), and Makara (crocodile).
Temple jewellery Collection Includes:
Temple necklaces and temple Choker set pieces are significant items of jewellery used by ladies to enhance the beauty of their necks and bring honor to special occasions. The necklaces and chokers have luster thanks to the use of different precious and semi-precious gemstones and pearls. These jewels also represent Goddess Lakshmi, who in Hindu mythology is the embodiment of riches.
Temple jewelry earrings are the most popular with bell-shaped patterns. It is offered in both plain gold and a decorated version with several gemstones carved into it. The main stones used to create the pattern are kemp stones, kundans, or rubies, and a swirl of tiny pearls hangs from the end. Both the plain temple jewellery gold earrings and the decorated version are exquisite.
Temple design armlets have become a status symbol and are very traditional when the bride wears temple armlets on her wedding day. It comes with strings to tie around the arms or as classic armlets that attach. These armlets are made in the style of a temple sanctum, keeping in mind their historical significance. Mostly, Goddess Lakshmi is positioned in the center to give the design an exquisite and divine appearance.
The most important pieces of jewellery for a married woman are her bracelets and bangles, and everyone dreams of having a set of temple jewellery bangles. These bracelets and bangles come in a wide range of styles and designs, from heavy bracelets for ladies to sophisticated dangling ones. People love to wear hanging bell bracelets that have been tied to them during weddings and other festive occasions.
Temple rings and toe rings come in a wide range of styles and designs and are embellished with both precious and semi-precious stones. The use of figurines of gods or goddesses as centerpieces has increased significantly during the past few decades. These rings are skillfully created to give the jewellery design a gorgeous look and make it more appealing. As the name suggests, toe rings are worn on the toes by women. Toe rings are typically made of silver and embellished with stones and crystals.
Most temple anklets are made of silver as the base metal and are covered in gold to give them a dazzling look. These are the main highlights of a classical dancer, who wears heavy anklets with trinkets on their feet. Even today they are worn by the ladies during specific occasions and festivals.
Since ancient times, traditional nose rings have been a crucial piece of Indian jewelry worn by women all across the country. However, on some special occasions, brides, classical dancers, and other females tend to wear temple nose rings made of gold which are embellished with pearls and kundan stones.
The most popular and well-liked temple jewellery is temple chains, which are primarily embellished to enhance a woman’s beauty. These chains come in both long and short lengths depending on the wearer’s choice and the look that goes best with their outfit. The shine of the temple chains is enhanced by the usage of several precious gemstones, including kundans, kemps, pearls, rubies, etc. In south India, long chains are referred to as harams, and patterns such as strings of gold coins, flowers, rudraksha stones, and statues of Hindu deities are sometimes used to enhance their beauty.
In order to enhance their attractiveness and them a divine look, Indian brides and classical dancers typically wear this temple jewellery. Temple waistbands or Kamarbandh and hip chains are made of gold or gold-glazed silver embellished with small bells or trinkets to contribute to their magnificent appearance.
Temple dancers are given a traditional attractiveness and exceptional grace by wearing hair accessories made of gold-plated silver embellished with kundan, kemp stones, pearls, beads, crystals, semi-precious stones, etc. Indian brides also wear it in order to give themselves a divine charm. These temple hair decorations are beautifully fixed from the top of the forehead to the end of the plait.
Temple Jewellery For Brides
Because of its divine design, temple jewellery makes you feel as though the divine is present in your life each time you wear it. Even in today’s scenario, brides are still trying to add a touch of tradition into their bridal look on their wedding day. The ideal traditional finishing touch for a modern bridal outfit is temple jewellery for bridal attire. Even more so than diamonds, as this type of jewellery is made from substantial amounts of gold, it is a wise investment for the bridal trousseau. If you are not tight on your budget, you simply go for designer artificial temple jewellery online which comes in a wide range of stunning options and fits any budget easily.
Temple jewellery is a kind of jewellery that is classic and timeless, therefore buying these items is always a wise investment. It may be worn with both Indian as well as Western attire, instantly adding ethnic charm to any outfit. At Miss Highness browse the trendiest designs of stunning temple jewellery online of premium quality.
