Ideally, a Mangalasutra means auspicious thread and it symbolizes the essence of union and inseparable bond between Husband and wife in Hindu culture.
A woman is expected to wear it around her neck till her husband dies. Also, there are few scientific and realistic reasons why a Mangalasutra has to be worn around the neck in the ancient texts.
However, with each passing day, the Indian woman seems to be breaking the barriers of not just her identity but also her traditions.
Lately, it is being noticed that many ladies are not showing interest in wearing Mangalasutra. Some of them say “It is too much of a chain to be worn in the neck while going to office or in parties. It is more like an additional baggage.”
Another group says “No specific reason but we simply don’t like wearing Mangalasutra.” And then there is a rebellious version which goes “I don’t like wearing managalasutra. Why should a woman keep wearing all things compulsory? Why not man? He should also be asked to wear a chain from now on.”
While the penchant of women to be on par with men and sidelining certain key values of our tradition can be understood, it must be said that not much has been working on the practical side too. With women taking off their Mangalasutra, some are tagged as ‘married but available’ and others are seen as persons who don’t have values in life. From a woman’s perspective, some of them feel that Mangalasutra is just an ornament.
Unfortunately, there is a lot which goes behind this ornament. Anyways, with the whims of women touching the sky and they unable to realize the line between fashion, attitude and culture, it has become the norm for men to either compromise or stand by the decision. That’s why, a woman who is seen with her Mangalasutra is given immense respect and stands as a true example of an ideal Indian culture.
