Importance of "Ek Chutki Sindoor" in Marriage....

Significance of Sindoor for an Indian Married Woman

By Parul Singh

Marriage is a sacred institution which marks the beginning of a new life for the bride and the groom. There are many rituals performed during the marriage ceremonies and each ritual has its own importance. But, the most important custom of every Hindu wedding is Sindoor Dana. Here, the groom puts sindoor (red vermilion powder) in his bride’s hair partition, thus symbolising her marital status. In some communities, it is the groom’s mother who does this part to welcome the bride in their family. Putting sindoor is not just a ritual, but signifies a long life for the husband. But, this is just one aspect of it. So, let us tell you more about this important practice.

A divine blessing

The modern society perceives sindoor as a demarcation line between the married and the unmarried women. But, this is not the case. This practice is much deep-rooted. The ritual has been performed for over 5000 years now. Its use has been well documented in Harappan excavations. Sindoor also finds a mention in the Puranas, Lalitha Sahasranamam and Soundarya Lahharis.

It is suggested that the red colour symbolises power. According to the Hindu mythology, a woman has to adorn sindoor till the time her husband is alive. Even Goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva) and Sita (wife of Lord Rama), use to put sindoor in their hair partition. It is believed that Goddess Parvati not only protects the husbands of all the married women who put sindoor, but also wards off any lurking evil. So, the next time your wife applies it, she is indirectly praying for your long and healthy life.  

The science behind it

The application of sindoor is not just a ritual, but a practice which stimulates good health. On one hand it serves as a longevity prayer for the husband, but on the other it keeps a tab on the woman's physical well-being. The sindoor is prepared using mercury, turmeric and lime. Mercury acts as a catalyst that helps to ease stress and strain. It also helps in keeping the brain active and alert. Other than this, mercury also helps in controlling blood pressure, activating sexual drive and libidinal energy. This is why, a widow or an unmarried woman is forbidden from applying sindoor.

For a happy married life

From vaastu to feng shui, women make every possible effort to bring in happiness and prosperity in their homes. But, it is this ritual of applying sindoor which can ease all your efforts. According to the Hindu astrology, applying sindoor in the hair partition is considered to be auspicious as it brings good fortune. Besides this, it is believed that putting the red vermilion powder also activates the chakras in the forehead and on the crown. This attracts cosmic and pranic energy, and bestows the couple with prosperity and good health. 
So, now you know why the elderly women in Hindu families put emphasis on applying sindoor. From the day a woman gets married, this vermilion colour becomes a part of her entity. 

source:http://www.bollywoodshaadis.com

Indian Bridal Makeup Tips

Tip 50: Get glowing skin

The most important of all Indian bridal makeup tips is to make your skin look healthy and glowing on the wedding day. But just taking care of it a week before the D day will not help. Skin needs time to take in the nourishment and treatments. Over doing the treatments may lead to further damage. Make time for yourself and indulge in the treatments from two months or at least six weeks before the wedding day. Take regular pedicures and manicures. Also go in for facials and skin treatments from at least six weeks prior to give your skin time to work. Here is a detailed post on how to get glowing skin.

Tip 49: Exfoliate your skin

Exfoliate your skin to do away with dead skin but remember to exfoliate only twice or thrice a week. Over exfoliation may make your skin dry.

Tip 48: Protect your skin from sun

Do not go out without a sunscreen and reapply after 2 or 3 hours to keep the skin damage free.

For Eyes: 

For best Indian Bridal Eye Makeup keep in mind the following tips:

Tip 47: Take care of puffy eyes

Have puffy eyes? Use chamomile tea bags over the eyes to make them appear less puffy. Using normal tea bags may stain you skin.

Tip 46: Get enough sleep

A good sleep is very important part of our life. The more you sleep, the more time your body gets to repair itself. Sleep for atleast 7 hours each day to keep those under eye circles out.

For Hair:

Tip 45: Deep condition your hair

Your hair is also an important part of the whole wedding look and to ensure your hair looks best throughout the wedding, go for a deep conditioning hair mask twice/ thrice the month before the wedding. If you have dry hair, apply some homemade hair packs to make it glossy and healthy.

Tip 44: Use good hair spray

Use good hair sprays so that your hair stays in place.

For Acne:

Tip 43: Hide your blemishes

Do invest in a good concealed for the d day as it will do a lot of things. It will hide blemishes and spots, will cover those under eye circles and more.

Tip 42: Avoid fried food

Avoid fried foods and too many spices for a month before the wedding to avoid getting pimples at the last moment.

Tip 41: Blot oily areas

Keep some oil blotting paper handy on the day. Blot any oily areas to get rid of shine. You don’t want to have a shiny forehead in the wedding pictures.

Tip 40:  Take care of acne

If you have oily skin which tends to be attacked by acne and pimples look for a face cleanser with salicylic acid. It removes oil and keeps skin oil free for more hours.

Tip 39: Take care of last minute pimples

Spotted a pimple suddenly?? Tensed how to hide it? Take a bit of tea tree oil and apply it over the pimple as soon as possible. It will make it dry up faster and less prominent on the Wedding day.

Tip 38: Minimize chances of pimples during periods

Have a tendency of getting pimples and zit during periods; apply anti acne creams 10 days before it is scheduled to start. This will minimize the chances of getting one.

For Lips:

Tip 37: Make lips appear fuller

Are your lips thin? Here’s a way to make them appear fuller. Take a skin colored lip liner and extend the natural lip line. But remember less is more so do not over do it.
To make your lips look fuller pat a little bit of shimmer at the centre of the lower lip. This creates the illusion of a fuller lip.

Tip 36: Take care of dry lips

Use a lip balm each times you feel your lips are dry. Do not lick or bite your lips. This will dry the lips and cause them to become chapped and flaky.

For Bridal Makeup Looks:

 

Tip 35: Apply your makeup the usual way

Apply the makeup using the right brushes or applicators. If you are comfortable with brushes, then use brushes, if you are comfortable with sponges, use them. Also if you are comfortable with fingers, use them to apply makeup. It is not a time to experiment, so stick to the usual technique.

Tip 34: Match the makeup with your attire

Take a look at your clothes and jewellery.  Consult with your makeup artist beforehand about the looks which will go with the dress. Select the one which you want to do on the day. Do not go in for any last minute changes.

Tip 33: Choose the right foundation

Choosing the right foundation is very important as you don’t want to look ghostly or darker than usual. Go shopping with a friend or a relative and try different shades on yourself. The goal will be to choose a shade which matches your skin tone. Choosing a tone lighter than yours for your bridal makeup Indian style will create a wheatish effect on your face.

Tip 32: Use a highlighter

Use a highlighter instead of shimmer or glitter. The main attempt should be to make the skin appear glowing and not shimmery.  Highlight the bridge of the nose, the chin, the forehead and around the perimeter of the face.

Tip 31: Practice 2 to 3 times before the wedding

Considering doing your own makeup? Practice doing it before hand. This way you will avoid creating a mess on the d day. It is better to practice 2 to 3 times with the looks and try out variations than doing them for the first time on the wedding day itself which can be stressful.

Tip 30: How to apply a blush?

Using a blush? Keep at least two fingers distance from the nose and apply blush.

Tip 29: Take care of excess makeup

Got too much eye makeup/ eye liner? Take a blotting paper and remove any excess oil, excess makeup or liner.

Tip 28: Mascara application

Use a good water proof mascara and make sure it is new/ less than three months old. Old mascara’s which have been exposed to air, clot and become very flaky.

Tip 27: Buying makeup

Going to buy makeup for the wedding day? Take a friend with you and make a list before hand of what products you want to try and which items you need. Aimlessly buying products will result in nothing. So plan beforehand and keep the attire and wedding in mind

Tip 26: Check the weather

Have a wedding at summer/ spring? Choose sheer and light makeup as these will be most appropriate when the weather is hot and humid.

Tip 25: Day time wedding or night time wedding

This is a very important factor to keep in mind when it comes to Indian bridal makeup. If you have the ceremonies in the day time, then keep makeup minimal and opt for a more natural look. If you are going for night time wedding, keep the makeup heavy and add more colors.
If you have a morning wedding go for pastel shades for the eye makeup.

Tip 24: Choose the right lip liner

Choosing a good lip liner is important. You will be best off with a lip liner matching with the lipstick.

Tip 23: Is the makeup complete?

Take a look at the makeup after it is complete and assess whether it is suitable. Ask for honest opinions from friends and ask if it looks good.

Tip 22: Choose the right lipstick

Choose a long wearing lipstick for the d day. You don’t want to be applying it every hour.

Tip 21: Applying foundation

Apply foundation on other exposed parts of the skin like hands, neck, back as well as ears. This way your Indian wedding makeup will look a lot more natural.

Tip 20: Use clean brushes

Whether you are doing the makeup yourself or a makeup artist is doing it, always use clean brushes and other applicators. You don’t not want to get infected by bacteria.

Tip 19: Heavy makeup

Keep the makeup heavier than your usual parties but do keep in mind not to look like a made up doll

Tip 18: Plucking the eyebrows

Pluck your brows at least a day before the wedding. Prevent bumps caused due to plucking using a cotton ball dipped in astringent and wipe the area.

Tip 17: Choosing the right blush

Having trouble choosing the right blush shade? See your face in the mirror right after you exercise. This is the natural color of your cheeks. Look for the color resembling it.

Tip 16: Fake eye lashes

Want some fake lashes? Use only if you are comfortable using them. Also use dark colored lash glue so that it matches the skin tone.

Tip 15: Filling up the brows

Do not use black to fill in the brows. Use brown shade or taupe shade to fill up the brows. The best way to get a natural looking brow is to use powder instead of pencils.

Tip 14: Take care of your hands

Use a moisturizer with shimmers to make your hands and feet look naturally glowing.

Tip 13: Use gel liners

If you are not an ardent follower of liquid liners, use gel liners instead of liquid ones. You will get better precision and better staying power.

Tip 12: When to apply cream

Use a moisturizer on your face and body just after the bath as it is the best time to apply lotions and creams.

Tip 11: Touch up your makeup

Keep a compact and blotting paper handy as you can touch up your makeup.

Tip 10: Keep eye makeup in place

To keep your eye makeup in place, sweep a bit of translucent powder over it and under the eyes. This prevents the meltdown and raccoon eyes.

Tip 9: Don’t let your lipstick stain

To keep your lipstick/ lip color from staining your lips, put a finger in your mouth and close your lips. Pull out the finger; this will take out all excess lip color.

Tip 8: Make lashes appear fuller

Need to make your lashes appear fuller? Apply a bit of powder on the lashes with your eyes closed and then apply mascara.

Tip 7: Applying eye liner

Apply the eye liner while looking down into the mirror. It will give you a better grip and you will be able to draw neat straight lines.

Tip 6: Use cream blushes

Use cream blushes if you want rosy natural cheeks and apply it straight on the cheeks.

Tip 5: Using dark makeup?

Keep your eye makeup in check. If you are going for a dark eye makeup then keep the lips light.

Tip 4: Limit the shimmer

Shimmer looks great but keep it limited to only one part of the face. Either do a shimmery eye or a shimmery lips.

Tip 3: Foundation for photograph

Choose a good foundation, a yellow toned foundation looks better in photographs while a pink based one may make you look washed out.

Tip 2: Make lipstick stay longer

Apply a lip liner and then a lipstick or apply layers of lipstick to make it stay longer.

Tip 1: Use green concealer

Use a green based concealer to cover up those red spots or pimples. It works better than the usual cover up products.

Ref. - http://www.stylecraze.com

Mangalsutra

Mangalsutra - The Sacred Symbol of #Marriage

A Hindu marriage symbolizes not just coming together of two individuals, but also the bonding of understanding, commitment, mutual love, oneness and spiritual growth. Traditionally, #Hindu marriage is much more than just celebration and fun. It demands sacrifice, companionship, #dedication, and #devotion from both the partners. Each and every #rituals and customs associated with marriage portrays the real essence of #wedding. Traditionally, there are five signs of marital status of women, according to Hindu #culture- #mangalsutra, toe rings, #kumkum, bangles and a nose ring. Talking about Mangalsutra, the word denotes a significant meaning. While mangal means aupiscious, sutra can be deciphered as a thread.

Significance Of Mangalsutra In Hindu Marriage

Mangalsutra, as such, is not just a jewelry item, but a sacred thread of #love and #goodwill worn by #married #women, as a symbol of their successful marriage. An inevitable part of Hindu marriage ceremony, Mangalsutra refers to a revered symbol of wedlock. India being a land of diversity, different regions in the country have assigned different names for this scared symbol. While it is known as the thaaly or maangalyam in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil in Southern India, people in the northern part of India calls it Mangalsutra. It is believed that the concept of this sacred thread had its roots laid down in South #India. Having immense significance and importance, it traveled to North India as well and today, forms an imperative part of the wedding ceremony.

Mangalsutra is the token of dignity and love given to a #bride by her #groom. 
On the wedding day, the groom ties the Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride, while the priest recites Vedic hymns and prays. It signifies the union of the bride and the groom, amidst the presence of deities, who are believed to be attending the marriage. In some regions, the groom ties first and his sisters tie the rest. Talking about its appearance, this sacred thread is made of two strings of small black beads with a locket or pendant. Sometimes, it is also made of small beads of gold and black beads, with gold and diamond pendant.

Considered auspicious for married women, mangalsutra is believed to have divine powers. Each of the black beads in the Mangalsutra, signify protection from evil power and are believed to protect the marriage of a couple, essentially the life of the husband. Hindu women feel superstitious, when this scared thread breaks or gets lost. In the present times, mangalsutra are boasts of various designs and patterns. While the Gujaratis and Marwaris often go for a diamond pendant, Maharashtrians have a pendant that consists of one or two vatis and Bengalis in the meanwhile, have coral incorporated in the designing of the Mangalsutra.

Present Scenario

Today, the concept of wearing a mangalsutra has changed considerably. It is more of a fashion statement than a symbol of marriage, thanks to modernization. With the progressive times, the wearing of mangalsutra in working women has considerably reduced. There is also a marked change in the style and making of mangalsutra over the years. Previously, women used to wear simple design mangalsutra, with small pendants, but now, the trend is to wear short length ones, that too with a single string. Instead of gold pendants, they prefer diamond ones. However, the black beads have still managed to remain constant. Whatever may be the reason to adore it, mangalsutra surely symbolizes the real essence and concept of a Hindu marriage. 

ref. - www.weddings.iloveindia.com

Expressing love.........

>Words of affirmation
While speaking positively in all respects engenders loving feelings in those most attuned to words of affirmation, harsh or condemning words will have the opposite effect, sometimes causing deep emotional wounds that may never be fully forgotten. Because words can have such profound impact, the most important thing is to be positive instead of judgmental in what you say. Learn to praise people's admirable qualities and worthy efforts, and replace criticism with constructive advice if it's warranted.


>Quality time
Those who prefer quality time want to do things together. Take notice of their preferred activities, and try to initiate some time together in doing those things. Engage in quality conversation. Go hiking. Play games. Plan and work together. Whatever you do, spend time with them, not just near them. Giving them your attention is what is most important.


>Receiving gifts
Give gifts. Objects can be emblems of one's love, as tangible, visual reminders. They don't have to be expensive or long-lasting; home-made gifts and even temporary things like flowers and food can be very effective displays of affection. Just be sure that you don't rely too much on past gifts to convey evidence of your love for the person; give often.


>Acts of service
Perform acts of service. Parents often ask it of their children, and husbands and wives ask it of each other, but service can be a lot more meaningful to some people. Cleaning around the house, preparing meals, doing laundry, yardwork, and various other chores can be a very loving expression to someone. Look for ways to help your loved ones with tasks that will help ease their physical, mental, or emotional burdens. Your service may be especially appreciated when it's unexpected.


>Physical touch
This can be as simple as a squeeze of his hand,  a hand laid on my arm as he walks up behind me while I’m washing dishes,  holding hands while we walk, sitting close while watching a movie, things like that.


(Source:http://www.wikihow.com)

Truth about being born a Manglik

Personally speaking, I had never even heard the term “Manglik” before Aishwarya Rai married Abhishek Bacchan. Reportedly a Manglik, the tabloids and TV channels reported about how Aishwarya symbolically married a peepal tree first before tying the knot with Abhishek, to nullify the bad luck of being manglik.
Regardless of whether Ash married a tree or not, there is just too much hype surrounding the Manglik bride.
Here is the truth you need to know about being born a Manglik.
'Manglik'? So What?
First and foremost, There is no research and scientific proof to say that unmatched Manglik couples are less happy than matched ones.
Having said that, one has to remember that astrology is based on the shastras which have been passed from generation to generation through tradition.
Many Hindus believe that if you are born under the Manglik star or the Mangal Dosh, there will be serious problems in your married life. In fact sometimes Hindu priests say that you could have a divorce or even worse, your husband may die.
Knowing Manglik
A Manglik is associated with the planet Mars. Mars represents temperament and temper. It is an aggressive planet. If placed in specific areas in birth chart you could be aggressive and violent and that could possibly lead to marital discord.
That is how the Manglik theory came into being.
Those who believe in Manglik believe that the compatibility between the boy and girl is said to be marred slightly because of the Manglik effect.
The Manglik is determined on your horoscope and your horoscope is based on the date, year, time and place of your birth.
The time of your birth depends completely on what your family is told by the hospital when you were born. It is important to know that the time given by the hospital may not always be correct.
Manglik Myths
With so much importance given to whether a woman is a Manglik or not, there are quite a few false beliefs as well. Here are some of the most common ones:
1) Marry a Tree and then Your Husband
The priests usually tell you to do this because all the alleged problems that are supposed to be attached to the marriage begin and end with the marriage to the tree.
So when you marry your real husband, it is actually your second marriage without the supposed problems in your first marriage.
2) Either Your Husband or Someone Close to him will Die
This is another belief that is completely untrue. Neither your husband nor anyone close to him will die just because you are a Manglik.
3) The Marriage Will End in Divorce
The success of your marriage depends on how much you and your husband put into the marriage. You being a Manglik does not determine anything.

(Source: http://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/)