Ornaments for the neck |
Style
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 The mangalsutra is the most important necklace for any Hindu bride. Mangalsutras are available in plain gold, black beads or onyx chains with gold or diamond pendants. The necklace is a tribute to the bridal beauty. In wedding necklaces, traditional designs in gold are still popular, be they the dalliers (long necklaces) or chokars (worn tight around the neck).
 Today for formal occasions, huge necklaces which have more metal than gemstones studded in them are out. Also gone are the designs with simple floral and vineyard creeper designs where the stones are scattered to give the ornament a good surface area. The girl of today does not believe in snobbish and bulky jewellery. Sleek, trim and suitably studded necklaces clinging to the collar-bone are the most wanted ones.
During ancient times a heavy string of gold beads, a kind of collar, called kantha or kanthi, was generally worn. The large necklaces called lalantika (dalliers, or bewitching garlands) are now more usually worn. Manka or lacha, a necklace of gold beads, is worn tight around the neck like a collar.
 Chandanhar is a sandal rosary. Champakali is made of separated rings, each intended to represent the unblown flower of champak, numbering from forty to eighty, or more, strung together. It is worn loosely so that it reaches halfway down the bosom. The mounting is of gold or silver, according to the means of the wearer. The rings of flower beads are either crystals set in foils, chiefly white, or precious stones of one colour throughout the ornament, or wholly composed of gold.
 Do-lari, tin-lari, char-lari, panch-lari, chai-lari, and sat-lari are necklaces from two to seven strings. Hansli is a solid collar of pure gold or silver easily put on or taken off. It is square in front for several inches, tapering off gradually, and terminating at the end with a small knob.
Tawiz is a silver or gold case, enclosing a formula of mysticism or magic, written with some animal or vegetable substance, which is strung over a black silk thread and worn, superstitiously, around the neck to repel disease and ward off evil.
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