The Bridal chooda is a timeless Indian bridal accessory. It is a very important tradition and a thing of beauty! Though it is primarily a Punjabi tradition, brides from other Indian communities are adopting the style. When the wrists of a newlywed is adorned with the choodas, it looks extremely beautiful and romantic – and why not? The chooda is meant to strengthen the bond between the bride and her husband. Today, we share with you the A to Z of the bridal chooda as an inherent part of the Indian culture and tradition as well as a splendid aspect of styling your bridal wardrobe.
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Significance of Chooda
The chooda is a set of 21 bangles, worn on each hand, that the maternal uncle or mama and aunt or mami gift the bride. Traditionally, the chooda comes in shades of red, maroon, white and ivory. Most importantly, the chooda signifies the marital status of the bride. Chooda-clad wrists signify a recent marriage.
Like every other important ceremony, the chooda ceremony holds special significance in a Punjabi wedding. It is a very important part of the Punjabi solah shringar. It signifies marital prosperity and fertility. It is also said that the chooda strengthens the bond between the husband and wife. The red chooda is considered extremely auspicious.
What Is It Made Up Of?
Traditional choodas are expensive sets of bangles made with ivory and showcasing inlay work. Although red, maroon and white choodas are more common, brides these days like to experiment with colors like pink, gold, green etc. The choodas are usually worn in a set of 21 bangles, one set each for both wrists. But these days, brides prefer to reduce the number to either 11, 9 or 7, for the sake of convenience! In old times, some brides would even wear a set of 51 bangles.
Chooda Chronicles: Customs
The tradition of chooda is primarily prevalent among Punjabis. They are usually worn by brides from Punjabi Hindu, Punjabi Sikh, Punjabi Jain or the Bhabra Community. The custom can also be seen in some parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
• Brides are supposed to wear choodas for a whole year after marriage but if she starts expecting a child before that, the chooda is taken off. This time span has now reduced to 40 days.
• Like the chooda ceremony, there is also a ritual that is performed by the in-laws at the time of the removal of the choodas. This usually falls on the day of sankranti after a year of marriage. In this ceremony, the choodas are replaced with glass bangles. Sweets are distributed and the bride receives a monetary gift or shagun. The choodas are usually kept away safely. In old times, some families would even set the choodas afloat in a river.
A Part of the Solah Shringar
The Solah Shringar is a concept in Hinduism. They refer to the sixteen types of accessories or ornaments that are necessary for a Hindu married woman to wear. Out of these 16 ornaments, some carry the significance of marital bliss. Like the mangalsutra, the chooda is also such a shringar.
The Chooda Ceremony
The chooda ceremony is usually held on the morning of the wedding. The chooda is selected by the maternal uncle or mama of the bride. He and his wife, the bride’s mami, give it to the bride during this ceremony. A puja or havan is organized in the presence of other family members. The chooda is purified with milk or kachi lassi. Sometimes rose water or rose petals are also used along with the milk.
A thread is tied to the chooda which is called gang. The gang is supposed to ward off all kinds of evil spirits. It is untied by the groom after the wedding rituals are over. The close relatives touch the set of bangles and bless it before it is slid on both wrists of the bride. The chooda ceremony is usually followed by the kalire ceremony. The kalires are the golden umbrella shaped hangings that are tied to the choodas.
Chooda Trivia #1
Did you know that in some parts of northern India, the bride cannot see the chooda till the time of the wedding? The bride’s eyes are covered while the chooda is slid into her wrists. Then the bride’s hands are covered with white cloth.
Chooda Counterparts across the Country
The traditional Punjabi chooda is usually red or maroon in color with studded stones or gold glitters. Bengali and sometimes Odia brides also wear a special kind of red and white bangle – shankha and pola. While chooda is made of ivory and nowadays, plastic, shankha which is white is made up of conch shell and pola, which is red, is made from coral. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, brides wear a set of 52 bangles called “hathi dant ki churi” translating to bangles made from ivory. This is usually gifted by the mother of the bride. The ritual of the saat phere or seven rounds around the holy fire cannot be performed unless the bride wears these bangles. The Maharashtrian bride wears a set of green bangles accompanied by solid gold bangles called patiyas and kadas or tode. They signify new life and fertility. They are worn in odd numbers.
Modern Vs Traditional Chooda Styles
• Traditional choodas always came in shade of red, ivory, maroon and white. Nowadays brides are going for more experimental colors like pink, orange, purple etc.
• Traditional designs refers to inlay work on the ivory, sometimes with stone studded design. Nowadays choodas come studded with glass stones and crystals. Moreover, brides go for embellishments that complement the wedding jewellery.
• Nowadays, you can get choodas in all kinds of styles and work – kundan, polki, diamond and other beautiful stones and gems are studded on them.
• Another trend among brides nowadays is getting the name of their grooms engraved with stones on the kadha style bangles.
Chooda Trivia #2
Call it folklore or history, some say that long ago, choodas and kalire were encrusted with carved coconut kernels, dry fruits and betel nuts. The bride would travel from her parent’s home to that of her in-laws. The journey from one village to another would be long and tiring. During that time, the bride could munch on the coconuts and dry fruits to keep hunger pangs at bay.
15 Bridal Chooda Designs to Amp up Your Bridal Look
Though choodas are available in all colors and styles these days, there is something about the brilliant dazzling red bangles of the traditional choodas that never fail to make the bridal look even more glam. In fact, traditional choodas allow a lot of creativity too! You can experiment with shapes and embellishments using metallic beads, threads, crystals and even semi-precious stones. Besides, the red, white and gold combination go well with every bridal look and attire. Let us look at 15 stunning choodas that you can grab for your wedding!
1. Royal Kundan Chooda
Deep red and gold form an immensely romantic look. Add to that intricate kundan droplet cut work and ivory pearls. Along with the sleek bangles, it gives a regal and vintage look.
2. Mirror Work with Kundan Details
Vermillion red bangles create a traditional look which is beautiful on the wrists of newlyweds. This set also flaunts mirror work and gold tone kundan work. The mirror work gives the piece an ethnic boho vibe.
3. Silver with Bright Red
If you are bored of the combination of red and gold, you can opt for a bright red and silver chooda set. This piece also showcases contemporary Indian floral cutwork in silver along with studded stone work on ivory tone bangles.
4. Floral Mughal Aesthetic
This magnificent chooda set consists of vermillion red bangles flaunting Mughal floral patterns. Silver Swarovski stones and dainty square gold tone kundan studs are set on it along with gold and silver stones.
5. Traditional Punjabi Chooda
These are classic Punjabi choodas. The deep red tone of the bangles, the green and red dotted work on the ivory bangles – all remind one of this sweet Punjabi tradition. The gold tone kangans are also studded with tiny pearls and square American diamonds. Swarovski bangles complete the look.
6. Leaf Cut Work Bridal Chooda
This true red bridal chooda set also flaunts cutwork design in foliage patterns. Sleek silver Swarovski, stones are studded on the gold bangles.
7. Exotic Mughal Jaali Work Chooda
This bright red chooda set is accompanied by gold tone kangans showcasing the rare Mughal jaali work. The patterns are intricate and exotic. Sleek Swarovski gold tone bangles are added. The look is royal and totally glam.
8. Floral Mughal Cutwork Details
The deep red bangles are accompanied by kangans that flaunt two very royal crafts – kundan work and Mughal cut work. Along with the gold Swarovski bangles, the look it creates has a strong Rajput-Mughal touch.
9. Crescent Moon Cutwork Chooda
This bright red bridal chooda flaunts a special kind of cutwork design – unique crescent moon shaped cutwork patterns are repeated on gold bangles. Silver Swarovski and more sleek stones have been used.
10. Traditional Patterns with Kundan Work
This one’s a classic red bridal chooda. This set comes with traditional ivory bangles patterned with dainty green and red circles. This is paired with kundan stone work. Emerald minakari work is also used in a droplet cutwork design.
11. Royal Rajput Chooda
This is a classic Rajput bridal chooda with bright red bangles and traditional kangans featuring teardrop kundan work and studded with tiny pearls. It gives out a royal Rajput bride vibe.
12. Floral Kundan Work Chooda
Here are traditional red bangles accompanied by exotic gold toned kangans showcasing phool cutwork kundan work. The jaali work is juxtaposed with sleek gold Swarovski and ivory bangles to create a pretty floral yet regal gharana look!
13. Hexagonal Kundan Work Chooda
Traditional deep red bangles have been paired with gold tone Swarovski bangles to create this traditional yet experimental look! The kundan work on the kangans are different from any you have seen before! The stones are in the shape of hexagons.
14. Foliage Work with Square Kundan Work
A traditional combination with exotic workmanship – this vermillion red chooda set comes with kangans showcasing gold and silver Swarovski stone work and kundan work with the special addition of square shaped studs in gold tone. Sleek stone studded bangles enhance the look.
15. Royal Mughal Chooda
Sometimes the most traditional and age-gold combinations steal the show! We have also saved such a piece for the last. Deep red bangles are paired with gold tone Swarovski bangles and traditional Mughal jaali work which define the intricacy of craftsmanship. The look is royal, glamorous and completely traditional!
Re-use Your Expensive Choodas
You should take that extra step of preserving your chooda, even after the removal ceremony at the end of the 40-day period post marriage. Why? A chooda is an auspicious accessory related to marriage! It signifies love. Plus it is a sweet memory that comes from the bride’s maternal side. It is also a symbol of the romantic bond between the bride and the groom. In various ways, you can re-use your expensive choodas later on, instead of keeping them locked up in your dresser!
Re-wear it on your anniversary every year. It will be a lovely reminder of your wedding day and all the fun and emotions you went through during that time!
Wear it on auspicious days like festivals and weddings in the family! A royal chooda will add that extra touch of grace to your overall ethnic look. The chooda looks good with all kinds of sarees, suits or lehengas. So it is very easy to team them up!
Moreover, you can combine the chooda bangles with other bangles of different types and colors. Use your creativity to create a set of bangles which would look good with any Indian ethnic outfit.
For beautiful and royal choodas you can visit our website. With GetEthnic, you can even let your preferences be known! Tell us what elements you are looking for in your bridal chooda and we will customize the one for you!
