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Why Do Bengali Brides Wear Sankha-Pola When They Get Married?
What makes a Bengali marriage a happening celebration is its numerous rituals. Among the many rituals observed in a Bengali marriage, the wearing of Sankha Pola and Loha from the hands of the purohit or the priest is especially significant. Today, in this article, we will try to understand –
What is Bengali shakha pola according to the Bengali culture
The significance of this ritual
The myths behind the ritual and
The science behind it as well.
Let’s begin with...
What is Sankha Pola?
The white conch shell bangle set is called the Sankha, and the red coral bangle set is called the Pola. A Bengali bride receives a set each of Sankha and the Pola from her family and from her husband's family as well.
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Both of her hands are accessorized with these Bengali bangles by the priest as an auspicious ornament that brings long life, and prosperity in the life of the groom. They are also the symbol of the bride’s commitment to her husband.
The Symbolic Practices Behind It
On the morning of the wedding, an auspicious ceremony is conducted in the bride’s house called the Dodhi Mangal. A pair of Sankha and Pola bangles are soaked in a bowl of water mixed with turmeric and kept aside.
Later on, it is taken out by seven married ladies and they help the bride to wear the pair of Sankha and Pola on her hands. The seven married ladies symbolise the seven goddesses from Hindu Mythology who come and bless the bride on the day of her marriage through this Sankha and Pola.
Sankha and Pola: The Myths and Legends
The Myth Involving the Fishermen Community
Bengali bangles shakha and Pola have been a part of Bengali tradition for centuries. There's a myth that poor fishermen who couldn't afford to buy their bride expensive jewellery during their wedding used to wear these instead.
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The fishermen decided as a group to use the corals and conch shells they collected as jewellery. Instead of the pricey gold jewellery that was customary for brides of the upper class, these bangles were worn by the fisherwomen.
The Rakshasa Wedding Ritual
According to another folklore, there are eight distinct types of Hindu marriage. Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapati, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paishacha are the names of these marriages. Many people believe that wearing the Shankha and Pala belongs to the Rakshasa wedding rituals.
Here, the girl is taken out of her home country and married off to another country. While kidnapping the girl, her kidnappers chained both her hands and feet and took her away. According to legends, the iron chain eventually turned into a conch shell or Sankha bangles and into red Pola or the red Bengali bangles that protected her from the evil deeds of her kidnappers.
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The Reasons and Science Behind Donning the Sankha-Pola
Improves Blood Circulation
According to medical science, the portion of the carpal shaft through which the central nerve passes in the forearm experiences an increase in blood flow from the pressure of the Sakha pola bangles on that area. This results in the permanent activation of this site which improves blood circulation in the body. Due to the improved circulation, the bride experiences increased vitality and energy in the body.
Improves The Haemoglobin Count in The Body
Apart from this, the Sankha Pola bangles have some additional health benefits. Pola has the special power to heal anaemia as it has the capacity to improve the haemoglobin quotient in the body.
Heals Menstrual Problems
It is believed to have the power to solve any kind of menstrual problems in women.
A Quick Look at the Importance of Wearing the Sankha-Pola
The white conch shell bangle represents the care and attention the bride will bring to her marriage. The coral bracelet represents the affection and comfort that is essential to any healthy relationship that the bride will provide to the marriage.
The Shankha bangles represent the innocence of the bride, while the coral bangle represents love in the life of the bride-groom.
It brings happiness and good omen in the married life of the couple.
The Sankha Pola also acts as a symbol for the newly married woman that she no longer belongs to her father’s clan and has joined her husband's family forever.
Finally, it is believed that the Bengali Sankha Pola bangles have the capacity to ward off evil spirits from the husband's life and give him a long and prosperous life.
