The anklets are also known as नूपुरे in Sanskrit & Payal in Hindi. It is a metallic string, worn by the women around the ankle of the feet & sometimes it also adjoins to the toe. The anklets (नूपुरे) are made beautifully, & often meenakari (the colouring of the surface of metal) was done to make them more attractive, along with pearls, beads, small stones of different colours & small tinkling bells. These are gifted to a newly wed woman on her first arrival to her husband’s home. They are usually worn by married women, but it is not prohibited for unmarried girls & so they also wear it.
During Vedic period, the metal used in the anklets (नूपुरे) symbolised as the social status of the women. Females who wore gold belonged to the royal family, whereas silver represented the women from a rich family but less luxurious living standards. The women other than the wealthy families used anklets (नूपुरे) made in cheaper metals such as copper, brass, etc. In some cultures, it depicted the marital status of the women. The anklets (नूपुरे) are considered to be traditional & an auspicious gift for the new bride in Hinduism. Mostly the bride will even put a ring on her middle toe with a connecting piece to represent her marriage. As soon as the sound of the anklets (नूपुरे) were heard by the male members of the family, they would be alert that a married woman is arriving & they should be respectful. There are few anklets (नूपुरे) which are called as ghunghroos, made by many small bells attached, & they are mostly worn by the dancers. It has a lot of bells which make jiggling sounds when performing. The rhythmic stamping of the foot in its various positions generates a rich variety of charming synchronizations from the anklets (नूपुरे) & they are often matched with the sound of other musical instruments. These anklets (नूपुरे) have a high significance in different forms of Indian dances like Bharatnatyam, katthak, etc.
In western culture, bracelets are worn in feet merely for the purpose of adoring lower body with jewellery. It was not until the 20th century the silver anklets (नूपुरे) became popular in the western culture. But women have been wearing anklets (नूपुरे) in India for generations. The first piece of metal jewellery for the leg was found in the ruins of the earliest civilization on earth. Since the prehistoric times, silver anklets (नूपुरे) were essential part of the people in the Middle East & Egypt.
Most Hindu women wear anklets (नूपुरे) in their feet after marriage. There is traditional importance of wearing it but there is a scientific reason as well. When women wear anklets, (नूपुरे) positive energy is generated by the sound emanating from the bells of the anklets. In such a situation, these anklets (नूपुरे) eliminate the negative energy from the women. According to the Vedas, even the sounds emanating from the anklets (नूपुरे) are auspicious for the house. Usually anklets (नूपुरे) have small tinkling bells, which creates jingling sound when the women walk. This not only increases the positive energy of the house, but the divine powers also come to the house after being attracted by this voice. In this way, these anklets (नूपुरे) are beneficial for the progress of the house.
The anklets (नूपुरे) not only have cultural significance, but they also have health benefits too. The body produces huge amount of energy & most of the energy is released from ends i.e. from hands & feet. Silver is a highly reactive metal & it reverts back the energy to the body which brings in more positivity & zeal in the women.
Why gold ornaments are prohibited on the lower parts of the body?
Wearing jewellery is a big part of Hindu tradition. While many think the reason to wear jewellery is to enhance & compliment women's beauty, but many fails to see the underlying reasons behind our tradition & practices. One of the Hindu beliefs include not wearing gold ornaments below the waist. Despite encouraging women to wear gold jewelleries above the waist, our elders have always forbidden us from wearing gold anklets (नूपुरे) or toe rings. There is a reason behind doing so.
1. The most common answer is that, gold represents Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune & prosperity. Thus, wearing gold on the feet will be an act of disrespecting the goddess herself & it is considered irreligious to wear it on the feet.
2. Another reason behind this practice is that, the gold ornaments keep the body hot, meanwhile, silver ornament keeps the body cold. Thus, wearing gold above the waist & silver below the waist helps to balance the body temperature.
3. To get positive & divine vibrations gold ornaments are worn on the upper parts of the body. Wearing gold in the feet negatively charges the body & disturbs the mechanism resulting the person getting mentally disturbed.
4. According to scientific principles, silver reacts well with the Earth’s energy, while gold reacts well with the body’s energy & aura. Therefore, silver is worn as anklets (नूपुरे) & toe rings while gold is used to adorn the upper parts of the body.
5. Since women wears a lot of gold jewellery in any Hindu religion, a lot of electrical currents are produced in the body. To counter these currents & to keep the positive energy flowing in the body, the practice of wearing Silver anklets (नूपुरे) was established.
6. These silver anklets (नूपुरे) not only give a mesmerizing look to the feet, but also make one feel energetic & divine.
7. Silver’s strong antimicrobial properties help to fight infection, heal wounds, as well as prevent cold & flu. It also improves one’s energy level, creates a calming effect & helps to maintain the balance in the mood. Hence, our elders forbid us from wearing gold below the waist.
It is the anklets (नूपुरे) which gives a beautiful look for the women’s feet. Silver is the first choice when it comes to wearing the anklets (नूपुरे). Silver anklets (नूपुरे) are one of the traditional jewelleries that comes from ancient times. This is the reason we see women wearing gold ornaments on the upper part of the body & silver ornaments on the lower part of the body. The anklets (नूपुरे) are mostly made of silver but, nowadays women wear gold anklets (नूपुरे) also, but traditionally they are prohibited. We have also seen many women wearing other metal anklets (नूपुरे) or cheaper metal anklets (नूपुरे) which are more shinier & looks more attractive with the Indian attire but, that kind of anklets (नूपुरे) are also prohibited in Hinduism as they do not impart any benefits to the body & affects the body negatively.
Scientific reasons of wearing the anklets (नूपुरे) -
1. The feet & the hands emanates energy constantly. Precious metals prevent the release of this energy & protect the person from negative vibrations. So, by wearing anklets (नूपुरे), one’s energy is not wasted & reverted back to the body.
2. The anklets (नूपुरे) are usually made of silver which help to retain woman’s energy.
3. It also provides relief from joint pains.
4. The jingling sound of the anklets (नूपुरे) keeps the negative energy away.
5. The anklets (नूपुरे) signifies bravery & pride of the women wearing it.
6. The anklets (नूपुरे) also helps the married women to attract the attention of her husband.
7. The silver help to boost the immune system & overall health of the women.
8. After wearing it, the mind gets stable & thinks only in positive direction.
9. When the women wear the anklets (नूपुरे), it also makes her bones strong. In fact, when the anklets (नूपुरे) are repeatedly rubbed against the skin of the women's feet, they also make her bones strong.
10. Wearing the ankles (नूपुरे) keeps the blood pressure under control.
11. It also helps to keep the menstrual cycle regular.
12. According to the spiritual belief, wearing the anklets (नूपुरे) improves overall women's health.
13. It also increases the working capacity of the women.
14. The silver anklets work as the cooling effect to the body.
15. Wearing anklets (नूपुरे) also works as an acupressure. The anklets work to keep the nervous system & muscles stable.
16. Wearing these anklets (नूपुरे) helps to get a relief from the leg pain, leg swelling, tingling, numbness or weakness.
17. One can also get relief in sciatica after wearing the anklets (नूपुरे).
18. Wearing anklets (नूपुरे) can helps to regulate the blood circulation & thus aids in curing swollen heels.
19. Wearing the silver anklets (नूपुरे) activates lymph glands in the body & boosts immunity.
20. Wearing anklets (नूपुरे) is beneficial in curing of gynaecological disorders like menstrual diseases, infertility, hormonal imbalance & abnormal conditions of obstetrics.
21. It is proved by the acupressure that, the anklets (नूपुरे) on the feet apply pressure on a particular vein, which causes uniform blood circulation in the uterus. In this way, it gets easy for the women to conceive.
This basic jewellery has tremendous benefits other than the melodious sound they make & the beauty they provide to the feet. The anklets (नूपुरे) are the part of the 16 shringaar for Hindu married women. Wearing anklets is a sign of the marital status in many Hindu cultures & it is also considered to be a symbol of good luck to herself, her family & her husband. Thus, despite having scientific reasons behind each practice, our elders relate it to religion mostly. During ancient times, people were less interested in knowing the scientific reasons, but were more eager to uphold the tradition & practices that are linked to the religion. But today’s generation need more scientific reasoning for practicing the traditional customs & for knowing their own roots.
अधिक अश्विनः शुक्लपक्षे ५, २०७६