
Mangala sutram literally means "an auspicious thread" which is knotted around the bride's neck. It is usually a necklace with black beads strung from a black or yellow thread prepared with turmeric . Sometimes gold, white or red beads are also added to the mangala sutram, depending on regional variation. It is a symbol of marriage worn by women. In certain communities, the groom ties the first knot while his sister tie the rest of the knots. A mangala sutra (from Sanskrit mangala , meaning 'holy, auspicious', and sutra , meaning 'thread') is a necklace that the groom ties around the bride's neck in Indian and sub-Indian countries, in a ceremony called Mangalya Dharanam ( Sanskrit for "wearing the auspicious"), which identifies her as a married woman. This is a social practice widespread in India , Sri Lanka , and Nepal . This practice is also an integral part of a marriage ceremony as prescribed by...