Mangalsutra
The sacred necklace of black beads and gold that a Hindu groom ties around the bride's neck.
Also: mangal sutra, thali, tali, mangalya
The mangalsutra, meaning auspicious thread, is a necklace of black beads on a gold chain or yellow thread, tied on the bride at the wedding by the groom. It is worn afterwards as the main sign that a woman is married, together with sindoor, toe rings and bangles. Its form varies by community: in Tamil Nadu and Kerala the matching ornament is the thali or tali, in Maharashtra the pendant has two small cups, and in Telugu homes it is called mangalyam. Many women wear lighter versions daily.
Region: South Asia