Rajasthani Women and Jewelry for Women and Men

While strolling the cities of Rajasthan, I found myself admiring the people of Rajasthan too. Especially the women and the traditional Rajasthani jewelry that they wore. They wear bright outfits, colors like brilliant red, vibrant yellows and oranges, lively greens and dazzling blues.

Rajasthani Women and Jewelry

Most women keep their face covered and are shy to speak. Not all were willing to pose for me; yet I managed to get some reasonably good shots.
Rajasthani Women and Jewelry

Tribal Jewelry with Animal Bones

Earlier those chudas, broad white bangles were made of ivory or camel bones, embellished with gold, precious and semiprecious stones. Now they are made of plastic.

Rajasthani Women and Jewelry

Rajasthani Silver Jewelry

They are known for their love for silver jewelry. The ornaments signify their marital status. Women adorn colorful chunky and weighty jewelry, many of them decorated with coins, beads and shells. I saw this lady close to a public water tap. She was with a pot; obviously it meant she had come to collect water. I picked up courage to converse with her.

Initially she was shy but soon she was chattering away and sounded more curious about me than I was of her. She wore finger rings and bangles made of gold and anklets made of silver. She seemed to be from a financially well off family. Then how come she doesn’t have water tap at home? I wondered silently.

Exquisite designs in their jewelry are a rage not only for the Indian ladies but also for foreign lady tourists. I too picked up some pieces of ornaments. 🙂

Lac Jewelry of Rajasthan

Lac is the common base used in many forms of jewels. Enamel work with gold, silver, precious and semi precious stones, beads and small mirrors of different shapes are studded on hot lac bangles and other jewelry forms to create such stunning colorful designs. Depending on the material used the prices vary. You will find all married women wearing dozens of them. Their wrists are covered fully, especially the new brides.

Lac bangles from Rajasthan

Lac bangles from Rajasthan

Most famous Jewellery of Rajasthan

Sadly I missed clicking Rakhdi/Borla, the most famous jewellery of Rajasthan. Rakhdi/Borla is the traditional Rajasthani head jewellery. Locally it is called Maang tikka. Elsewhere in India you will find this to be a flat piece but in Rajasthan it is spherical or bell-like in shape. Most of the women were in veils, not sure if they worn one or not.

Nath or Nathni (nose ring and chain) is another popular jewellery styles worn by Rajasthani women. I didn’t find the local women wearing that. It is a popular jewelry piece worn by Bollywood heroines in movies.

Kanthi or Aad necklace is a unique design very typical of Rajasthan. Very gorgeous style, Rajputi necklace, they are worn by the rich today in weddings and were worn by Maharanis (queens) in the past.

Rajasthani Men and Jewelry

Men of Rajasthan too wear jewellery, mostly in their ears. Rajas and Maharajas of Rajasthan have adorned jewels in the form of rings, brooches, chains around neck and more. Today civilians don’t wear such bling anymore but they do sport minimal jewelry pieces. You can see many of them wearing big thick bangles called kadas. Some wear simple ear rings.

I found their pagris (turbans) very interesting. Practically their head gear serves the purpose of protecting their head from the scorching heat. It is also the most important part of their attire. The color of the turban and the style of tying it indicate his caste and the region to which he belongs.

Tying the turban is a specialized art. There are professional tiers who make roaring business during the marriage season and festival times just by tying pagaris.


This little boy very willingly posed for me, struggling to tuck his pagdi in, the right way. He was chattering happily and was eager to know from which part of the country I came. When I asked him, “Do you go to school?”, “Jata hoon na (Yes I do go)” he replied emphatically.

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Rajasthani Women and Jewelry

(This post was first written on Nov 6th, 2008.)

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