It is said that a South Indian bride is not entirely dressed until she adds the prized piece of temple jewellery to complete her look. That is what Deepika Padukone did, who wore exquisite heritage pieces for her Konkani wedding. Usually worn with a stunning Kanjeevaram saree and some brocades, the classic allure of temple jewellery has stood the time, serving as a modern-day mainstay.

Here is everything you need to know about the history and cultural significance of traditional temple jewellery.

What is it?

It is the most artful of jewellery types and plays an essential role in the cultural heritage of the Southern states in India. Embossed with depictions of gods and goddesses from the South Indian temples, these simple and artful ornaments are gold and silver. They have been making a fashion comeback in the form of necklaces, bangles, earrings, rings, chokers, and kamarbandhs. These are always available in online jewellery stores.

The next update to these jewellery pieces includes gemstones, diamonds, and filigree work to accentuate the individual pieces and make them look heavy.

What is the history and origin of this jewellery?

Temple jewellery originated in the Chola and Pandya dynasties. This ornament was made of precious metal donations made to the South Indian temples in the early days. The temple dancers and devotees started using the replicas on these jewellery pieces in their daily practices. The jewellers drew inspiration from the temple architecture, history, and the deity’s beauty.

Over time, temple jewellery started becoming a piece that evoked religious sentiments and became an essential heirloom in every South Indian bride’s jewellery collection.

What are the typical motifs used in the jewellery pieces?

The very meaning of temple jewellery means the pieces seek inspiration from deities, temple tops, and religious figurines in their basic form. Goddess Lakshmi and other female deities are most used as motifs by jewellers. Additionally to the recurring choices, temple jewellery also includes elements such as leaves, trees, coins, bells, and so forth. These are commonly found when you do online jewellery shopping.

How has the art of temple jewellery evolved over the years?

Initially, every jewellery piece was crafted entirely by hand, right from moulding to the filling to the finishing. However, with advancement in technology, modern jewellery calls for specific elements of the process, such as the finishing and polishing, done by the machine. This massively reduces the time taken for crafting the temple jewellery.

What is the cultural significance of this jewellery?

The nature of the jewellery invokes a sense of divine presence in your life when you wear it. Even today, brides are looking to add a small part of the tradition to their big day. It serves as the perfect traditional touch to the contemporary ensemble. Since such jewellery pieces are crafted from vast quantities, it also makes a significant investment in the bridal trousseau, more so with the diamonds.