Maang Tikka....... The Chakra Ornament

The Maang Tikka is another head ornament for women worn in many parts of India. 

When in Ancient India various kingdoms were at war, the victorious King returned home and as proof of his valour, victory and survival; he smeared the centre of the forehead of the queen spreading it to the middle parting in her hair with the blood of the enemy. 

Thus was born the tradition of sindoor the vermillion powder worn by Indian married women in the middle of their hair parting to bear witness to the fact that their husbands were alive.

From this tradition was born the ornament called Maang Tikka. 

The maang Tikka is a bejewelled slender bracelet hooked on to the back of the head and extended to the forehead with a round, flat, gem encrusted disc lying in the centre of the forehead. This piece of jewellery is a head ornament covering the 'maang' or central hair parting of a woman. 

During a traditional Indian Wedding; with the chanting of sacred mantras, the groom smears the bride's middle parting of hair with sindoor carrying on the ancient assurance giving practice of his existence. As long as the bride's 'maang' carries the vermillion powder; it is a sign that her husband is alive. 

The Maang Tikka is lifted for this ceremony when the groom fills the 'maang' and then placed back as a shield over the sindoor; symbolising the young bride's sindoor being protected from the evil eye. 

There is also a spiritual derivative to the Maang Tikka. 

This gorgeous piece of jewellery when worn is so designed that the point where the round disc rests flat on the centre of the forehead, a droplet of Ruby or Emerald or Pearl drops touching the area between the eyebrows This area between the eyebrows (or the sixth chakra known as the 'Agna') is the seat of concealed wisdom; And is believed to be the ajna chakra, which in Sanskrit means "to know or perceive". The chakra is represented by two petals signifying the holy union of male and female on a spiritual, physical and emotional level.

The activation of the energies of the Ajna chakra ensures that the woman will now be a complete Ardhangini to her husband. 

Ardha meaning half 

Anga meaning body

Put together the other half of a single union. 

In western terms "his better- half"

This makes it a symbol of perfect union, without imbalance or compromise. By extension, the Maang Tikka is a representation of this symbolism, where the ornament decorating the headpiece is a physical symbol of the ajna chakra, and the union that it represents.

A Maang Tikka is a piece of jewellery par excellence. Over the centuries it has changed its form in several ways to make it more beautiful and decorative. The side chains of the Bhorla have been sometimes added to enhance the Maang Tikka. When more than one or two chains on either sides of the Maang Tikka are attached, it is then called the Dauni; making it a more elaborate piece of jewellery. 

Most Maang Tikkas are part of the Bridal Jewellery ensemble. They can be in kundun, jarao, diamonds polkis, rubies, emeralds or any other precious gem to compliment the bridal set. 

 The Maang Tikka is intricately crafted with an array of jewels set in exotic ancient or modern designs. Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires and Diamonds are commonly used in the making of the Maang Tikka, while pearls are used as a peripheral border to complete the piece. 

The Maang Tikka in contemporary Indian Jewellery has travelled to the West. 

Many a times it is found to adorn the heads of famous models walking the ramps of Paris to showcase the collection of renowned Haute Couturier fashion houses.

Hollywood Actresses also have a penchant for this intriguing head ornament.  

The Maang Tikka is the Indian version of the magnificent glory of the Royal Crown worn by Queens of other cultures!