The Role of Kada Payal in Marwari Traditions
A kada payal is a silver jewellery item which is generally worn by the individuals especially in the Marwari community. It combines the elements of a kada (bangle or bracelet) and payal (an anklet). Both kada and payal are worn separately but the kada payal is worn in the foot and ankles as a beautiful silver jewellery item.
Historical Significance of Kada Payal in Marwari Culture -
In the marwari culture, first ever the culture of designing and making the heavier & ornate payal designs developed. The primary reason was the rich silver mining areas & the abundance of rich & royal families in Rajasthan. In these families the trend of gold & gemstone based kada payal was popular.
Heavy silver kada payal was also famous in tribal communities of Rajasthan. The intricate designs and craftsmanship can also be seen in kada payal coming from the Mughal era which also had a significant impact on Rajasthani jewellery & arts. In some mughal folk practices the kada payal were enchanted with both sufi chants and vedic mantras to trap the negative energy.
In some temple sanctums, women were asked to remove their kada payal to avoid the tinkling sound in the temple so that there should be no distraction in performing aarti or daily worship. Mughal hakims also prescribed silver kada payal for women to maintain their reproductive health and maintain the energy cycle into their feet regularly.
In the late mughal era, muslim families also gifted enameled silver kada payal to newly married brides often carrying the Quranic calligraphy for protection & fertility. In some families, kada payal was given as a portable dowry.
Materials Used in Making Kada Payal in Marwari Culture -
The design and construction of kada payal varies from one to another area or region. Here is a complete breakdown of different components and materials used in making kada payal -
Gold -
Gold kada payal is generally used for weddings and special ceremonies. They are made from very high-quality gold metal. Gold kada payal is a very highly prized jewellery item.
Silver -
Silver kada payal are very common which are worn for religious and small family functions. They are affordable, durable & easy to maintain.
Brass or Mixed Metals -
These kada payal have a more rustic and antique look. It is a daily wearable item and budget-friendly in nature. Generally people from rural areas prefer this option.
Gemstones & Beads -
The kada payal made of gemstones & beads are used for aesthetic and symbolic purposes. Generally, gemstones like - red coral, turquoise, pearls are preferred.
Thread & Fabric -
These kada payal are wrapped in colourful threads or also have tassels. These variants of kada payal are very famous in folk & tribal variants of Rajasthani culture.
Connection of Kada Payal with Different Marwari Rituals -
Here are many rituals which are deeply connected with kada payal in our marwari culture -
- When a bride is about to leave for her sasural, she has to walk on the wet mud or grain after wearing a solid kada payal to get the blessings of Bhu Devi (The earth goddess). This is known as the Dharti Laagan ritual.
- Families of the bride and groom exchange silver kada payal after dipping it into clarified butter as a sign of accepted alliance. How much does the kada payal shine after exchange? - shows the wealth’s durability in the bride's life. It is also known as Payal Paak Vidhi in Marwari culture.
- On the sixth day of child birth the maternal grandmother places a tiny kada payal beside a diya and prays to Chhathi mata for the strong legs and prosperity in the child’s life. It is known as the Chhathi Bhog ritual.
- It is customary to rub the kada payal with salt and turmeric paste before the first wear of the bride in sasural. It ensures the past cleansing of family life and a new life beginning for the new daughter-in-law. It is also known as the Loon Lagai ritual in marwari culture.
- The marwari girls who are manglik, are asked to wear double-stacked kada payal to perform mangal shanti pooja before their wedding. The double weight is considered a symbol to ground this astrological dosha through earth grounding.
- Before gifting the kada payal to the newly wed bride, a red and yellow moli thread is tied to its edge and later on removed in secret. It is done to safeguard the daughter-in-law & her kada payal to save from the nazar of jealous relatives.
Kada Payal in Modern Marwari Homes -
In today’s fast-paced marwari homes where the western jewellery is dominating the bridal jewellery box, the kada payal is being rediscovered to get a cultural comeback. There are many custom artisans are reviving in cities like - Jodhpur & Jaipur who now offer to “decode and replicate” heirloom kada payal.
These artisans design your favorite kada payal in many patterns which once had many different meanings. Some of these important designs are -
- Crescent moon engraving - fertility & lunar sync.
- Wavy line border - nazar protection & safeguarding from malefic influence.
- Morse-like dots - coded messages of love.
- Four-petal flower - four stages of life.
- Red enamel inlay - blessings by ancestors.
- Fish scale patterns - prosperity in drought zones.
- Sheaf-of-grain motif - prosperity in harvest & womb.
- Peacock feather engravings - soul's return in rebirth.
Another reviving tradition for kada payal is the first sound in the house. When a newly-wed bride enters into her sasural producing sound with her kada payal, it is the indicator of her first and new entrance in her new home and the starting of new life.
There is also a new trend growing of wearing noiseless kada payal especially in urban marwari culture. These payal are made with discreet ghungroo slots which are fully functional for home and office wear also. Some kada payal are designed with small compartments which can be filled with turmeric strands to safeguard the wearer from daily stress and energy drains.
In some modern marwari homes, elders and other family members sit with the new bride and tell the struggle, story and symbols of the kada payal worn before her in their family. These are not any formal events but the emotional evenings so that the bride can feel connected with the new family.
Another famous trend in modern marwari homes is to wear kada payal in only one foot layered with modern charms or astrological beads. This solo styling is closely attached to the feeling of independence and the symbolic weight of tradition.
Conclusion -
In marwari culture, kada payal is not just a piece of silver jewellery. It is a living indicator of culture, identity & timeless elegance. A kada payal is capable of representing grace and feminism in this deeply rooted community.
A kada payal reflects marital status, prosperity, strength, family honor, and aesthetics. Its beauty is undeniable but the real significance of the kada payal lies in the values it upholds. It also has a spiritual and emotional meaning that goes far beyond its physical form. In today’s fast fashion world, traditional jewellery like kada payal reminds the glory of authenticity and legacy.
Whether you wear kada payal in the golden sand of Rajasthan or in a metropolitan city of India, it carries the soul of Marwari culture with it. This is a celebration of timeless elegance that defines Rajasthani and Indian tradition.