Why do married Bengali women wear shakha pola?

Shakha is pairs of conch shell the white bangle is made of the well-crafted & polished conch shell. Shakha & Pola are a symbol of a married woman in Bengali Hindu culture. This custom is most popular and accepted in the eastern part of India. In Bengali culture, the Shakha & Pola has a great meaning and significance. Before the actual bengali marriage day in the wee hours of very day, married women perform ceremony referred as Dodhi Mangal in which they soak bangles made with conch shells and pola (the red bangles) in turmeric mixed water. Seven married women put shankha pola (one red and one white bangle) into bride’s hands. It symbolizes as seven forms of Goddess. According to the Old folk stories in West Bengal, it is believed that this shankha pola custom belongs to poor fishermen since they can’t afford costly pieces of jewellery. The bride has to wear Pola (red bangle) between iron metal bangles or Shankha. It is also believed said that the iron bangle provides firmity and harmony to the new relation & helps to balance the negative & positive power.

The Bengali bride like any other bride looks surreal in her red wedding attire and traditional get up. There are many unique rituals that a Bengali bride adorns as a part of her traditions. Wearing shakha pola is a must do for Bengali bride, but these days married ladies wear only in weddings or some special occasions. For special occasions Bengali women love to wear gold-embedded red and white bangle or Shona bandhano Shakha-Pola. The pola bandhano are mainly gifted by in-laws. Without a Shakha Paula ceremony, a marriage ceremony cannot be complete. Also, it needs to ensure that the bangles don’t break during the first year of marriage as that indicates extremely bad luck for the bride.

Shakha Paula symbolizes good harmony, prosperity, and health. These should be worn by women on both their hands and on the traditional sense Paula must be worn between the lohabadhano which is an iron bangle. This is given by the husband (groom) and symbolizes the unity and strength of their marriage. The concept of shankha also means that there is no friction between the negative and positive energies since iron signifies the flow of positive energy.

In a married life the bride needs to make sure that she performs her responsibility without losing her sensitivity, morals and charm, accompanied with auspicious thinking. Sankha Pola isn’t mere a decor item but it's a proud for a Bengali married woman. Traditionally whenever a married female applied sindur (vermilion) on her forehead she also applies a little vermillion on the left shakha. Though nowadays Shakha & pola are quite expensive as it was before but still this unique Bengali culture abd tradition goes on without any hindrance.

Shakha and Pola are nature's blessing to the married ladies. It is a naturally made shell just needs to be carved with patience & care. Just like Shakha though seems to be firm may get brittle if handled not carefully, similarly in a married life the bride needs to fulfills her responsibility with auspicious thinking. All these are symbols of marriage for Hindu Bengali married women. Many believe that wearing these could ward off negativity and bad omens.

Make sure that you are dressed accurately and with a very traditionally when you are wearing these Shakha Paula since they look the best and charming with traditional Bengali brides’ attires.