Passed down through generations, there’s some mystique about temple jewellery. Each piece is an emblem of selfless devotion and artistry, blended seamlessly with years of tradition. It’s like your old nani’s tale, inherited and ripe with the gleam of centuries of human existence.
Temple jewellery carries a holy factor about it that just seems irreplaceable. Forming a bridge between the past and the present, temple jewellery is back in everyday fashion to adorn your closet. Whether you are a dancer or a bride, a piece made with such reverence is sure to bring you closer to your roots.
What is Temple Jewellery?
Long ago, in the halls of South Indian temples, expert artisans created intricate jewellery to adorn deities. Some of these pieces were timeless, with carvings of different natural elements.
Soon enough, South Indian temple jewellery was conventionally worn by dancers, reflecting the sheen of their art, and infusing movement into the pieces. It is surprising to see how easily spiritual grace shook hands with artistic expression.
It lives on today, through our beloved classical dance jewellery, traditionally worn while performing Bharatnatyam. Dancers are seen adorning maang tikas, chokers, and waist belts, all echoing the sirens of past craftsmanship.
While originally made with gold and silver, temple jewellery is now made with more accessible metals.
Key Features: Gods and Goddesses Motifs, Rubies, Emeralds, Gold Plating
The key features of temple jewellery design, seen in the most intricate pieces, are:
- Gods and Goddesses Motifs: The designs included gods and goddesses like Krishna, Shiva, Parvati, Lakshmi, Saraswati, among others. Each deity’s virtues were directly associated with the motifs on the pieces.
- Gold Plating: Since gold was widely available in ancient days, it was used as the base metal for temple jewellery. Contemporary pieces, however, capture the grandeur of the olden times using the radiant finish of gold plating.
- Floral, Peacock, Trident Motifs: Largely associated with the mythological tales of nature’s creations, lotus blooms and peacocks are featured. Tridents are also widely seen, especially used in earrings and neckpieces.
- Rubies and Emeralds: The use of expensive stones like rubies and emeralds, which stood for harmony and prosperity, evinced the grandiose nature of South Indian temple jewellery.
- Handcrafted Detailing: Each piece was given proper love and meticulous care by the highly skilled artisans.
Cultural Significance: Bharatnatyam and Bridal Temple Jewellery
The world of Bharatnatyam considers temple jewellery not just as an adornment, but also as a storyteller, carrying the rhythms of the ancient past. It gives the dancer strength and grace to portray their art to the world. The pieces are an active part of the performance. They sing the tunes of sacred expression and experience.
In the same vein, brides are elated to choose goddess jewellery designs for the ceremonies, reminding us of our favourite: Alia Bhatt in Abhishek Verman’s Two States (2014). Some of these ornaments have been a prized possession of families for centuries. Adorning them is about feeling one with the ancestors and the culture.
Modern Popularity: Temple-Inspired Designs in Fashion Jewellery
It’s not odd to find your colleague or friend casually wearing a temple-inspired design on the go. The rise of bohemian looks has made chunky, oxidised jewellery a staple in the wardrobe.
Age-old pieces are reimagined as lightweight earrings, statement necklaces and earrings, and kamarbandhs. These inspirations are common among fashion lovers for daily use.
Often paired with sarees, dungarees, denims, and dresses, temple jewellery designs are widely experimented with. Across Instagram feeds and on the streets, the charm of these pieces is unbelievable.
Styling Temple Jewellery with Contemporary Outfits (Fusion Fashion)
Here’s just what you need to make your fusion-fit a fashion-hit:
- A button-down shirt with a choker: This might sound bold to someone who doesn’t usually experiment with fashion, but a choker on a button-down shirt and high-waist jeans looks effortless yet put together.
- LBD and layering: Confused about the right accessory for your favourite little black dress? Consider your lotus bloom earrings — they add the right amount of glamour.
- Bandhgala blazers and brooches: This one’s for the men who want to add texture and body to their bandhgala blazers. A miniature brooch with a temple jewellery design is perfect for this occasion.
- Mixing boho elements: Add kadas and bold earrings to ethnic-print skirts and cropped tops for a laid-back look. Team it with kajal and a bindi to fully commit.
- Buying Authentic vs. Imitation Temple Jewellery
Buying authentic and long-lasting imitation temple jewellery can be difficult with so many inexpensive alternatives readily available. Ensure that the base metal is hypoallergenic and not nickel-based. Always slightly tap the stones to check if they are stuck properly.
It should be a habit to run your fingers over and feel the quality. Check for sharp edges and if the clasps are snug. If you are shopping online, look for reviews from other customers, ask questions about the stone quality, weight, and materials, and zoom in on the photos.
Where Tradition Meets Your Trinket Box: The Tara Mini Touch
Temple jewellery isn’t just something you wear — it’s something you feel. It holds stories, memories, and a deep sense of belonging.
At Tara Mini, that emotion is everything. Born from a son’s love for his mother and their shared joy of discovering treasures in humble fancy shops, Tara Mini reimagines that nostalgia for today’s women, especially for the '90s girls and Gen Z who grew up loving the little things.
We bring you temple-inspired pieces that are beautiful, thoughtful, and wrapped in the warmth of a memory. It’s jewellery with a soul — just like maa would’ve picked.
