Why Do Some Hindu Women Wear Nose Piercings?

Hindu Nose Piercings and Why Some Women Wear Them

The nose ring is worn by Hindu women married or not.  The importance of the nasal stud can also vary from region to region.   As in many other cultures and religions, there is no written code in Hinduism about wearing the nose ring or piercing the nose.  In some Hindu sects, a nose ring is called a “Nath” and is worn during the wedding as well as being a symbol of the married woman.

There are many communities in the Hindu religion that do not pierce the nose.

Many ancient classical texts don’t say too much on the such nose piercings and so there are several theories regarding the use of the nose piercing in the Hindu religion.  Some state that the nose stud was not used during ancient times and it was introduced by invaders during the 11th century.

Another school of thought quotes the ancient Ayurvedic text Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana, chapter 19) to suggest that nose piercings were prevalent in ancient times.  Nose piercings near a particular area of the nostril is thought to decrease pain during the menstrual cycle.  Some also believe that it protects women against nasal infections.

The nose piercing is widely worn in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, by married and unmarried young women.  This is known as “mookkutthi”.  In some cases, women wear a stud on both arears/sides of the nose.  The nose studs of Konkani wives from Goa are famous especially for their design, which are adorned with small fish or birds. The nose piercing is not the preferred choice in South India.

In North India and in many communities it is a must at wedding ceremonies.  A nose ring or pin or stud can be made of gold, pearl and diamond.  In some Hindu communities, the nose piercing is never removed and it is a symbol of married women like the Sindoor and Mangal sutra and is an essential part of Shodash Shringar or Solah sringar – the sixteen process of embellishing a bride.

There is no uniformity in wearing the stud or nose ring.  In some areas it is worn on the left side of the nose and in some areas it is on the right.  For example, a Maharashtra bride wears it on the left.  In Gujarat, it is worn on the right.  The size and style of the nose nose also varies from region to region.  The big nose ring is only worn on the wedding day. Some communities opt for small nose rings.  Piercings or rings are used in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

There is also a kind of septum (the dividing part between two cavities) piercing, which is also popular as a nose piercing, in Nepal and parts of northern India, including Rajasthan and Himachal. Pradesh.  This nasal ring is known as “Bulak”. Such piercing is also practised in eastern India by some communities.

Nowadays, some Hindu women see nose studs as part of modern fashion jewellery.  Some also fight against the wearing of nose rings that act as an obstacle in their daily activities.

Why not check out our Nose Piercing page.