Home Culture When women wear green, red and yellow bangles
August 4, 2019

When women wear green, red and yellow bangles

  • HB Kham
Hands with green bangles
Hands with green bangles

All women whether rich or poor, married or unmarried run here and there excitedly in search of new red, yellow and green bangles in the market during the month of Shrawan, which is the beginning of July and the end of June.

The vendors are surrounded by unmarried or married girls all the time to choose the different types of bangles in the market. Green bangles are associated with nature as well.

They put henna on their hands by drawing various beautiful artistic designs and adorning themselves in new attires to celebrate the significant month of Shrawan by fasting on every Monday. They are seen exchanging red, yellow or green bangles with their well-known friends.

Especially, unmarried girls like to wear green bangles and married women wear red bangles throughout the months of Shrawan.

Married women usually wish for longevity of their families and husband’s life and unmarried woman wish that they are blessed with a good husband of their choice, who will be devoted and committed to them like Lord Shiva, who had gone mad after the death of his first wife. The women visit various temples of Lord Shiva to pray and ask for blessings from Shiva.

According to the ancient Vedic calendar, the star Srawan rules the sky during this period. So, it is also known as “Srawan mas”. This month is so auspicious that various festivals and rituals are performed during this month.

Hands decorated with hena
Hands decorated with henna

Legend has it that during this month was the ancient “Samudra Manthan or churning of the ocean accomplished.” The churning of the water of the ocean was done to settle a dispute between the gods and demons, in which both groups had agreed to abide by the rules set for the settlement of the dispute.

The churning of the ocean had caused 14 rubies to appear on the surface of the water which was distributed among the demons.  But when poison oozed out of the ocean and water animals started dying, no one could do anything to save the world from the disastrous effect of the poison. Everywhere there was panic.

At this juncture, Lord Shiva emerged and agreed to drink all poisoned water of the ocean. Then only the entire world and animals were saved from this great calamity. Lord Shiva’s throat while drinking poison had turned blue. So, the devotees of Shiva offer water of Ganga to Lord Shiva during the month of Shrawan to earn good deed. This month is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

At the beginning of this Shrawan month, the people throw the burning woods out of their doors in the late evening to get rid of all signs of epidemics and calamities that may befall the people.

Needless to say, despite being the least developed country, Nepal exhibits multi-ethnic cultures and festivals. Over hundreds of festivals according to various 125 ethnic communities are observed at the various place within Nepal. There is no single month that passes without observation of a particular festival in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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