Grooms Turban

Groom’s Turban

Call it the pagdi, the turban or the safa – the groom’s headgear in an Indian wedding is all about tradition, legacy and history. The groom’s turban is essentially a piece of cloth wrapped around his head in a particular fashion. Turbans vary is shape, size and color. The style of turban varies according to the community the groom comes from.

Sikh grooms have a particular way of tying the turban or the dastaar. The Rajasthani pagadi is most colorful as leheriya and bandhani fabrics are used! The Bihari paag has a very simple and uncomplicated tying procedure. The Maharashtrian pheta is quite similar to the Mysore-style turban that hails from the traditional turbans worn by the Wodeyar kings. Even Ladakhi grooms wear a particular type of headgear called tibi. However, these styles have mingled together and resulted in the modern-day groom’s turban that can be aptly paired with the royal sherwanis that Indian grooms wear.   

Turbans traditionally are a symbol of respectability, prosperity and a powerful personality. So, adding it to the groom’s wedding ensemble is imperative. In older times, groom’s turbans would come only in colors like saffron or red and in limited styles like bandhani or leheriya. But in case of most cultures, there is no particular rule for the same. Nowadays, turbans come in every shade, style and fabric. They are designed to match the groom’s outfit or they can also be co-ordinated with the bride’s attire.

The turban also comes with accessories which make the look even more royal. The sarpech is a Mughal ornament with peacock feathers attached to it. It is usually worn in the centre of the turban. Like the sarpech, the kalgi or kalangi is a brooch-like ornament studded with precious and semi-precious stones. Sometimes the sarpech or kalgi have chunky chains or pearl malasattached, that extend from the centre of the turban to the sides.  

The length of the turban fabric also varies with the style in which it is to be tied. But tying a turban is a hassle. Nowadays, not everyone is acquainted with the proper way of tying a turban. Tied clumsily by amateur hands, it may end up destroying the whole look of the groom. So, it is always a good idea to go for pre-stitched and pre-tied turbans that can be easily worn and taken off. At Getethnic groom’s turbans are available in every possible style –studded with gems and beads, flaunting zardoziwork, in gorgeous brocades or rich silks, with crystal and stone work, pearl string attachments or ornate kalangis.