Deity shringaar has its own vocabulary, and the same item is often spelt three different ways. This glossary explains the most common names you will see when shopping for Laddu Gopal, Radha Krishna, Shrinathji and Mata Rani jewellery, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Head and face
- Mukut – the crown. Sized by diameter to fit the idol's head. Shop mukut.
- Mor mukut – a mukut decorated with peacock-feather (mor) motifs, associated with Shri Krishna.
- Chandrika – the peacock-feather crest worn on the forehead or fixed to the mukut. Shop chandrika.
- Morpankh – a peacock feather or feather-shaped ornament, tucked into the mukut or pagdi. See morpankh.
- Paag / pagdi – the turban, worn by Thakur ji especially in Braj and Pushti seva. See paag.
- Kalangi (also kilangi, kalgi) – the upright jewelled plume pinned to the front of a pagdi. See kalangi.
- Sarpech (also serpech, sirpech) – the flat jewelled ornament on the front of a turban. See sarpech.
- Shishful (also sheeshphool, sisful) – a head ornament that sits at the hairline or front of the paag. See shishful.
- Maang teeka – a pendant that hangs from the parting onto the forehead, mostly for Radha Rani and Mata Rani. Shop maang teeka.
- Mathapatti (matha patti) – a band of jewellery across the forehead and hairline.
- Tilak / bindi – a small ornament for the forehead. Shop tilak and bindi.
- Besar – a small drop-style nose ornament. See besar.
- Nath – a nose ring, usually larger than a besar. Shop nath and besar.
- Kundal / makar kundal – earrings; makar kundal are the fish-shaped earrings associated with Krishna and Vishnu. Shop earrings.
- Jhumki / jhumka – bell-shaped hanging earrings.
Neck and body
- Choker – a short necklace that sits close to the neck, sized by neck diameter. Shop chokers.
- Haar / mala – a longer necklace or garland, in one or more layers. Shop haar.
- Kanthi – a close-fitting necklace, often of pearls or tulsi beads, popular in Pushti shringaar.
- Vaijanti mala – the long garland associated with Shri Krishna.
- Kamarband (kamar belt, waist belt) – a decorative belt for the waist. Shop kamarband.
Hands and feet
- Bangles / kada / chudi – wrist ornaments, sized by diameter. Shop bangles.
- Bajuband (armband) – an ornament worn on the upper arm.
- Payal / pajeb / nupur – anklets. Shop payal.
- Charan – ornaments for the feet. Shop charan.
Things the deity holds
- Bansi – Krishna's flute. Shop bansi.
- Lakuti – a small stick, as carried by Krishna as a cowherd.
- Dhanush baan – bow and arrow, held by Shri Ram. See dhanush baan.
- Trishul, gada, shankh – the trident, mace and conch associated with Shiv ji, Hanuman ji and Vishnu.
Materials you will see
- AD (American diamond) – sparkling cubic-zirconia style stones.
- Kundan – a traditional flat-set stone style.
- Meena / meenakari – coloured enamel work.
- Semi-precious pearl – used widely in Pushti shringaar.
- Gold polish / silver polish – the plated finish of the metal.
Read more in AD vs kundan vs pearl deity jewellery.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a kalangi and a sarpech?
A kalangi (kilangi, kalgi) is the upright plume pinned to the front of a pagdi; a sarpech is the flat ornament that sits on the front of the turban. They are often worn together.
What is the difference between a besar and a nath?
A besar is a small drop-style nose ornament; a nath is usually a larger nose ring.
What is a chandrika?
A chandrika is the peacock-feather crest worn on Krishna's or Laddu Gopal's forehead or fixed to the mukut.