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Importance of nettle in Indian wedding tradition: In Indian marriage tradition, nettle is an important part of the bride’s makeup and is considered a sacred symbol of the wedding. In Rajasthan and North India, after the completion of the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom wear toe rings. It not only symbolizes new responsibilities in marital life and relationships, but from Ayurvedic point of view it is also considered beneficial for hormonal balance and reproductive health of women. The traditional designs of Bichhiya are still popular in rural areas and the new generation brides adopt them proudly.
In Indian wedding traditions, the bride’s makeup is not just a symbol of beauty but also an important part of rituals and faith. One of these is the toe ring, which is worn on the toes and is considered the most sacred symbol of the wedding. Not only in Rajasthan, this tradition has been going on for centuries in entire North India. As soon as the wedding ceremony is over, the groom makes his bride wear a betel leaf, which shows that the bride has now joined the new responsibilities and relationship of married life.
Solah Shringaar has special significance in the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. It is believed that when the bride is adorned with these 16 adornments on the occasion of marriage, her beauty and radiance increases even more. Among these, like Maang-Tika, Nath, Bajuband, Kangan, Anklet, Mehndi and Sindoor, Bichiya is also an essential part. According to traditional belief, wearing a toe ring not only protects the married woman, but it also marks the woman’s marriage.
There are both religious and Ayurvedic reasons behind wearing Bichhiya. In marriage rituals, it is considered a symbol of love and loyalty between husband and wife. At the same time, it is believed in Ayurveda that wearing a silver ring on the second toe has a positive effect on the hormonal balance of women and improves reproductive health. For this reason, there has been a tradition of wearing Bichiya only in silver.
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Even today, traditional workmanship can be seen in the designs of Bichhiya in the rural areas of Rajasthan. Brides choose matching toe rings with their lehenga, anklets and other jewellery. In many places, it is considered auspicious to show a toe ring during the ‘Pag Pher’ ritual on the next day of marriage.
With time, there has been modernity in the attire and jewelery of brides, but the tradition of Bichiya is still as strong as it was before. The new generation brides also adopt this wedding symbol with pride. This is the reason why the place of Bichiya in the 16 Shringaar tradition of Rajasthan is equally important even today.
The toe ring is not only an ornament, but also a rite of initiation of married life, a symbol of the wedding ceremony and a heritage of age-old tradition, which resides at the feet of every bride. Even today, along with marriage ceremonies, women are sent to their in-laws’ house wearing this special jewellery.
