Traditional Jewellery of Tulunadu

At the time of wedding as well as numerous other occasions, a Bunt woman is gifted jewelry by her parents and relatives. Jewellery is considered auspicious and a status symbol. The traraditional jewellery of Tulunadu is what makes the Bunt weddings so rich and unique in their own manner.

The traditional gold jewellery is passed on for generations and families hold jewellery made many decades ago. The different jewellery includes armlets, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, earrings, fingerings, toe rings, nose rings, anklets, pendants and waistbands. Tulunadu follow their unique designs and they have unique names too!

1. V shape eternity ring which is the wedding ring for a Bunt woman - vadungeela. (The ungila / ring that the groom slips into the vadu / bride's finger)
2. Finger ring – Ungila
3. A five ring connected gold jewellery for all the fingers in a hand - Panchaungila
4. Bangle - Bale
5. Thick bangle - Kadaga
6. Armlet, an upper arm ornament - Vanki
7. Short chain - Sara
8. Long chains till the chest or waist - Mala
9. Necklace - Kanti Sara
10. Pendant - Padaka
11. Talisman - Urku , a charm worn by toddlers and young children to avert evil and bring good fortune.
12. A pipal leaf shaped pendant the groom ties on the bride on their wedding day – Thaali.
13. Mangalsutra / chain of black beads which depicts the marital status of a woman - Kariyamani da sara
14. Earring - Kebita
15. Ear studs - Bendole
16. Small studs worn by men – Vonti
17. Dangling earrings – Lolak, ole
18. Support for earrings and is made of gold or pearls & is hooked to the earring & then attached to the hair above the ear – Thang
19. An earring or stud worn on the upper half of the ear - Koppu
20. Traditional bell shape earrings which are long and bulky with detailed designing - Jhumkis
21. Crown - Kirita
22. A small tinsel forehead ornament - Bottu
23. Tassels tied to plait ends - Tareta gonde
24. Hair ornament with hair pin is attached to the top of the braid or in buns to hold them in place - Tareta poo
25. Chain used to adorn the centre forehead parting of the women / Indian maang tika - Mundole ( Munda = forehead, ole = hanging)
26. Nose stud - a small stud let into the flesh of the nostril on one side, generally of diamond - Moonkutti.
27. A very small gold tinsel nose ornament - Moonkuda bottu.
28. Dangling nose ring usually made of gold, pearls and stones - Nath.
29. A bull ring usually pushed ( rarely pierced ) on the dividing wall between the nostrils - Bulak
30. Waistband (known as Kamarband in Hindi) which is worn tightly around the waist & is made of gold and is studded with precious stones. Pendant of sitting Goddess Laxmi in the center is most popular – Bangarada Patti
31. Waist chain - sonta da noolu
32. Flexible anklets made by joining rings of metal, usually silver – Padasara
33. Immovable anklets, usually in silver which are made like bangles with a gap to fit into the ankle – Kada.
34. Pair of toe rings which is a symbol of a married woman and usually made of silver - Kaar ungila
35. Diamond – Vajjira
36. Coral – Pakala
37. Pearl - Muttu
38. Dancing Bells/ Ghungroo - Gejje

39. Mallimuggu Sara: Jasmine bud necklace inspired by the beauty and fragrance of jasmine buds.
40. Kukkumudi Sara: Mango Mala is a necklace of small golden mangoes, our favourite tropical fruit, sometimes extending down to the waist. Each gold mango is crafted in three dimensions and set with stones sometimes. The back of the mangoes are finished with a smooth texture to make it comfortable to wear.
41. Pavan Sara: A necklace of gold coins is strung on an intricately patterned gold chain.
42. Misiri Mala: Light weight small gold disc on which the image of Goddess Laxmi is printed and strung on gold thread.
43. Navarathna Sara: A necklace with nine precious gems, a ruby, diamond, natural pearl, red coral, hessonite, blue sapphire, cat's eye, yellow sapphire and emerald together are known as the Navarathna.
44. Gili Ole: Traditional pearl earrings with the design of parrot head, 3 small bell shape jumkas dangle from the centerpiece and it has and a few rubies/ corals also.
45. Kajipukai Sara: A chain with small gold vegetables and fruits. Usually lac is filled inside these.
46. Gejjetic Kantasara/ Gejje Addige Sara: Thick herringbone band of necklace on which round bells are fixed at the bottom.
47. Beduru Bale: Bamboo design bangle
48. Teru Bale: This bangle has the repeated design of a canopy of a chariot.
49. Ashtalaxmi Mala: A long chain with eight pendants depicting the Goddess Laxmi in diff
50. Gundu Sara: The chain is made from small hollow gold beads that are strung on a gold chain.
51. Godhi Sara: This wheat chain is crafted with small and dainty whole wheat charms.
52. Nanya : Handmade old gold coins.
53. Mohun Mala : A long necklace made of large gold beads, with an interval of gold twisted thread between each bead.

54. Decorative key chain ( usually in silver & sometimes even gold ) for a woman’s household keys. They have hooks to hang from the sari at the waist and a key ring for the keys. An ornate design covers the keys so that they are not visible. An elegant artistically designed trinket: Tharkol da Gonchil.
55. Chain Buttons are Cuff- links -style kurta buttons in Gold or silver which are joined by chain (which are detachable actually): Manila da Gubbi

56. A female's ornament worn in the tip of the ear - bugudi