A pagdi becomes royal the moment you add a serpech or a kalangi. These two head ornaments are especially useful in winter, when a mukut may not sit well over a woollen cap.
Serpech vs kalangi
- Serpech (also sarpech or sirpech): a flat, jewelled ornament worn on the front of the pagdi. It is broad and decorative, often with a central stone and a hanging drop. Shop serpech.
- Kalangi (also kilangi or kalgi): an upright plume, often feather-shaped, that adds height. Shop kalangi.
They are often worn together: the serpech sits flat on the front, and the kalangi rises just behind or beside it.
Choosing the size
- Measure the front of the pagdi or cap from side to side.
- A serpech should cover about a third to half of that width.
- A kalangi should rise no more than the height of Thakur ji's face, so it doesn't overpower the darshan.
Most of our pieces come in small, medium and large sizes. Check the listing and our size chart.
How to pin them securely
- On a pagdi: slide the serpech's hook or pin into the folds at the front. Tuck the kalangi's stem behind it so the serpech holds it upright.
- On a woollen cap: pin through the knit gently, or stitch a small loop of thread on the cap to hold the pin.
- Never glue ornaments to the idol or to a pagdi you want to reuse.
Matching the look
Match the stones in the serpech to the haar or kundal, and keep the metal finish the same. A pearl-drop serpech with a pearl haar, or a ruby serpech with a gold haar, always looks finished. See our pagdi guide for choosing the turban itself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a serpech without a pagdi?
Yes. Many devotees pin a small serpech on the front of a woollen topi in winter, or on a cloth headband.
Is a kalangi the same as a morpankh?
Not exactly. A morpankh is a peacock feather. A kalangi is a jewelled plume, which may be feather-shaped but is usually made of metal and stones.
Laddu Gopal Ji Set
Mukut
Haar
Choker
Kalangi
Bansi
