Kalyan Wiki
Bengali Shaka Pola
Bengali Weddings are grandiose with immense decorations and colours that flow with deep and meaningful rituals and traditions. It hosts a visual treat that leaves the spectators mesmerized and at the same time firmly sticks with the roots of culture. It is a celebration of colours and companionship. Ornaments are used, not only as décor but also to indicate implicit virtuousness.
Shakha and Pola; pairs of white and red bangles are essential elements of Hindu Weddings in Eastern and some parts of Northern India. On the wedding eve, a ceremony is performed called “Dhodi Mangal” where shaka bangles are soaked in turmeric water by espoused women as a wedding bliss to the bride. The bride should wear the shakha pola bangles on both the hands
Shaka; the white bangles are made out of crafted and polished conch shells and pola; the red bangles are made of ruby stone. The red colour is fascinating for Bengalis, and the red and white colour combination can be seen in their attire and accessories for most rituals. The bangles need to be worn throughout the year right after the wedding.
In Bengali custom, some of the must-wear elements for married women are Shaka Pola, Loha, Vermillion and Sindoor. Pola bangles should ideally be worn in between the loha or iron bangles gifted by the groom’s family. The bangles are not merely an embellishment but a symbol of pride for married women.
