The Stunning Sikh Bride Doll

Ideal for: 

• Premium Home Décor (Especially Punjabi Sikh themed room)
• Ideal Wedding gift for Sikh Bride
• Housewarming gift item for Sikh Couple
• Wedding Anniversary Gift for Sikh Wife or Parents
• Valentine’s Day gift for Sikh Girlfriend/ Wife/ fiancée
• Gifting option for people with roots in Punjab or Sikh Heritage
• Doll Collectors/ Plangonologists interested in Collectible Dolls
• Birthday gift for Punjabi Sikh child/ Girl/ Lady/ Woman
• Sikh/Punjabi Souvenir for Tourists/ Indophiles

Description of the Ensemble of the Sikh Dulhan (Bride)

If you want to witness the most joyous and fun marriage ceremonies in the mind-bogglingly diverse nation of India, then attend a Punjabi wedding!  Punjabis wear their hearts on their sleeves and their wedding traditions and rituals are a portrait of their syncretic culture, song, dance, cuisine, and sartorial choices that have evolved over centuries. 

Sikhs are native to the Punjab (literally meaning ‘The land of five rivers) region of the Indian sub-continent. The main wedding ceremony is the Anand Karaj (“joyous ceremony”) held at a Gurudwara (Sikh place of worship). 

Let’s have a look at the bridal ensemble of our seriously stunning Sikh bride doll:  

Attire: 

Lehenga

Sikhs view the act of marriage as embarking on a new spiritual journey to connect with God. Hence, the bride is supposed to look her best, including wearing makeup, heavy jewellery and embellished attire.

The Sikh bride may wear a salwar kameez, lehenga- choli or Sharara for her main wedding ceremony. Our Sikh bride is wearing a heavily embellished lehenga (skirt) and choli (blouse).  

Dupatta (Wedding Veil)

During the Anand Karaj ceremony, everyone attending is expected to display respect to the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book of the Sikhs) by covering their heads. A bride always covers her head and shoulders with a draped dupatta (stole) during the ceremony.

Ornaments

Tikka

The ‘Tikka’ is the ornamental pendant that rests on the centre of the bride’s forehead. The Tikka worn by Sikh brides are usually larger and more ornamental than those worn by Hindu brides. 

Passa/ Jhoomar

Passa means one-sided. It is an elegant traditional head jewellery that originated during the Mughal era and is pinned to typically one-side of the head (usually left-side). Passas add a very healthy dose of glamour to the Sikh bride. 

Nath 

The most prominent ornament on a Sikh bride’s face is her huge ornate and embellished nose ring. This nose ring is connected to her hair with an embellished gold or gemstone chain.   

Chooda

The Chooda are signature set of Punjabi red and ivory bangles worn by the bride on her wedding day. She will continue to wear it for at least a month or a year post the marriage. Most Hindu brides use the Mangalsutra necklace or Sindoor (vermilion) or both to visually indicate their marital status. There is no concept of Mangalsutra or Sindoor in Sikh wedding customs. Instead, these striking Chooda bangles serve as a visual marker of a Sikh bride’s newly married status.  The Chooda are associated with fertility, prosperity and good luck. 

Gold Bangles

To add a dash of flamboyance to their Chooda loaded forearms, Sikh brides may also wear a pair of heavy gold bangles. The gold bangles are usually the first pair of bangles on the bride’s arms.  

Angoothi (Rings)

The Sikh bride’s fingers will be adorned with her ornate engagement ring as well as any additional rings she wishes to wear for the wedding ceremony.

Kalire

Nothing screams “Punjabi” as loudly as the over-the-top Kalire tied to the bride’s bangles. The Kalire are dome-shaped ornaments that dangle from the bride’s wrists. Dry fruits and nuts may be embedded to the chains dangling from the dome. The half-coconut shaped dome is symbolic of the blessing that she may never ever run out food in her new home. The metallic nature of the dome symbolizes health and prosperity. The Kalire involves a fun ritual where the bride shakes her wrists over the heads of all her unmarried female relatives and friends. If any part of the Kalire falls on a girl’s head, then it is believed that she will get married soon.  

Bali 

Ethnic Punjabi dangler earrings are called ‘Bali’. They are either round or crescent moon in shape and are heavily embellished with gemstones. 

Mehndi 

The Punjabi bride’s forearms and feet are heavily decorated with henna patterns a couple of days prior to her wedding during the ‘Mehndi’ ceremony. 

Kundan Choker

Unlike brides of the South who wear multiple necklaces, Sikh brides usually wear a single statement choker (sometimes accompanied by a singular long necklace).  The gemstone encrusted choker favoured by Sikh brides make them look like a regal princess. 

Kamarbandh (Waist Ornament)

The Kamarbandh is worn by the Punjabi bride over her waist. 

Pajeb (Anklets)

Ahh…the twinkling sound of the bride’s anklets. Romantic Punjabi songs are replete with tributes to the beautiful sounds made by the anklets of nubile girls. So, it is no surprise that Sikh brides don beautiful heavy anklets. 

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Isn’t this gorgeous Sikh doll mesmerizing? So, what are you waiting for? Be the proud owner of this very embodiment of Sikh culture, heritage and roots with the Roots and Wings Sikh Bride Doll!