Traditional Clothing Traditional Hindu clothing for women consists mainly of the sari (saree) and the salwarkameez.
The sari is a brightly coloured material that is wound and pleated around the waist so that it covers the legs, with an underskirt or petticoat beneath it of a matching colour/pattern. A short, tight blouse (choli), with or without sleeves, is worn with the ends of the sari draped over the shoulders, often leaving the midriff bare. The salwar kameez is a tunic (kameez) that is long enough to partially conceal loose fitting trousers (salwar). |
Make-Up & AccessoriesThe Bhindi
Mentioned in the earliest Sanskrit texts, the bhindi/bindi is traditionally a red dot of make-up between the eyes on the forehead. Originally worn as a sign of married women, the red dot became popular among young and unmarried women, often changing the colour to match their outfit for the day. Widowed women would also sometimes wear a black dot. The bindi has also been called the "third eye" in Hinduism, known to ward off bad luck. For special occasions, the bindi may be accompanied or replaced by a jeweled stick-on dot. The shape, size, and importance of the bindi changes based on region, and is practiced most commonly in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Bangles
Bangles, too, were originally worn as a symbol of a married woman but became popular among young and unmarried Hindu women. The tradition of wearing bangles dates back to the beginning of the Hindu religion, and one of the earliest artifacts found in India was of a dancing girl figurine wearing bangles. All of the goddesses in Hindu legend have been depicted as wearing bangles as well. The designs of the bangles could range from simple bands to ornately carved, and royalty was known to wear bangles studded with jewels. Henna Body Art
Henna body art (mehndi) is traditionally worn by Hindu women on special occasions. The intricate lines are drawn on the hands, arms, and feet with a special paste using fine brushes or feathers. Henna is especially popular for Hindu weddings. Modernized henna is now available in markers, pens, or pastes due to its popularity. |
Hindu Women's Dress Code The dress code of Hindu women isn't very elaborate. Most young women today can wear whatever they want, and while the saris are still popular in India, jeans and t-shirts are perfectly acceptable in most areas, especially for Hindus living in Western society. A more popular style now is an Indian-style tunic paired with Western bottoms, such as jeans or leggings.
Going to the Temple Going to a temple, most women would probably be wearing a sari or salwar kameez, though there aren't any actual dress codes. The main idea is to dress modestly, and your main concern in wearing Western clothing would simply be that you would stand out. Combining the Western style bottoms and Indian-style top is advisable in this situation. Long skirts are also preferred by women, and must be loose enough to enable them to sit cross-legged on the floor. Some women also choose to wear headscarves to worship or on special occasions. Shoes worn with an outfit should be easily removable, as they will be taken off either outside the temple or just inside the door. The last rule is ahimsa: because of the Hindu believe in non-violence, it is frowned upon to wear animal skins or leather. |