| Bangles hold great value in Hinduism and tradition. It is | | | | wrists. Once the ceremony is completed, the woman |
| considered inauspicious for a woman to have bare | | | | goes to her mother's residence. There, she will deliver |
| arms. Traditionally, married Hindu women always | | | | her child. |
| weary bangles around their wrists. Nowadays, | | | | Bengalese woman wear 'lohas' to symbolize their |
| women may not wear bangles on a daily basis with | | | | marriage; they are bangles that are alternately known |
| regular attire. Bangles are more reserved for | | | | as the iron 'kada.' Brides are also presented with |
| occasions and festivals, because they still hold | | | | beautifully crafted, white conch bangles and red lac |
| sentimental value. Indeed to the Hindu woman, the | | | | bangles. |
| bangle is not simply a beautiful ornament; it also | | | | In Gujarat and Rajasthan, the bride's mother will gift |
| symbolizes her womanhood and honor. | | | | a pair of ivory bangles. With these ivory bangles, a |
| Vzag, an area in India, holds a special relationship in | | | | young couple performs the 'Saptapati;' without these |
| regards to bangles. The streets of Makavanipalem, a | | | | ornaments, the ritual cannot occur. (The Saptapati |
| small village near Narsipatam, once bustled with the | | | | consists of seven steps around the fire. Without this |
| craft of bangle making. The village drew skilled | | | | ritual, a Hindu marriage is considered incomplete) |
| workers from across India. This business stalled for | | | | Bangles today are made from a variety of materials. |
| some time. Today, however, the bangle industry is | | | | They also widely range in color, design and shape. |
| booming in all shops in Vizag. Business is conducted | | | | They can be plastic, glass, kundan, lac or composed |
| daily, dealing with a variety of bangles. | | | | of beads. In semi-precious or precious metal form, |
| Ultimately, August and September equate to a very | | | | bangles are often black metal, silver and even gold. |
| important time in the Hindu calendar. Called | | | | The most durable of bangles are gold, of course. |
| Shravanamasam, it is the Hindu month in which the | | | | Glass bangles are the least durable, and may break |
| highest density of festivities occurs. This time of the | | | | with carelessness. Because of this, many women |
| year sees the most sales of bangles in India. So, it is | | | | prefer gold bangles for everyday wear, and reserve |
| evident that bangles are still important in the lives of | | | | glass bangles for special occasions. |
| Hindu women. For them, it represents pride and | | | | For centuries, women throughout India and Pakistan |
| tradition, as well as femininity. | | | | have been wearing bangles as decorative ornaments. |
| In India, many traditional ceremonies connect with | | | | Consequently, bangles have come to hold great |
| bangles. The South Indian ceremony called Valaikaapu | | | | cultural, religious and historical significance. Its |
| occurs during the seventh month of a woman's | | | | glorification in literature resulted in bangles |
| pregnancy. The family celebrates, and bangles of all | | | | representing feminine grace. |
| colors and designs are stacked on the woman's | | | | |