Everything You Need To Know About Kaliras

Dangling from the bride's wrist, Kaliras are more than just an ornament—they are a symbol of abundance and prosperity for the bride after her marriage. They weren’t always just the beautiful pieces of jewellery we know them as today.

With a history that spans centuries, Kaliras were initially meant to be edible. They first started as an ornament made with foxnuts, coconut pieces, dry fruits, and other non-perishable food items that brides could munch on when they felt hungry during the long journey from their home to their husband’s house. Back then, the brides were expected to be coy, and this practice was followed so the bride wouldn’t have to ask her in-laws for food. Sure enough, another common practice followed at weddings today is also a product of female oppression. Fortunately, we have moved forward from the regressive practice where the bride has to stay quiet even when she feels hungry or needs something. Back then, Kaliras were seen as a blessing of abundance and prosperity, given by the bride’s family, in hopes that she would never run out of food in her new home.

Kaliras have seen incredible evolution over time. Worn originally by only Punjabi and Himachali brides, they have now gained status as a must-have ornament that is being embraced by brides of different cultures. Traditionally, the bride’s sisters and friends make her wear the Kaliras, which are tied around the bangles of her chooda. In a fun game, the bride shakes her Kalira-adorned wrists over the heads of her unmarried friends and family members, and whoever a piece of kalira falls on is said to be the next in line to get married!

Post the edible Kalira era, Kaliras were traditionally gold in colour and had domes hanging from them. However, they’ve seen a major shift over the years. Today, brides wear kaliras made of materials like pearls, flowers, and even shells!

The most common trend we’ve seen in recent times when it comes to Kaliras is personalised Kaliras. Today, brides want their Kaliras to tell a story. For example, when Alia Bhatt married Ranbir Kapoor, she wore dainty silver Kaliras with cute little motifs of things that meant something to the couple. These motifs included clouds, waves, doves of love, butterflies, sun, sunflower, and infinity symbol (or it could be Ranbir’s lucky number 8, we will never know).

Similarly, Kiara Advani’s Kaliras had motifs like stars, moons, butterflies, the couple’s initials, and her husband Siddharth’s late pet dog’s face. While Athiya Shetty’s Kaliras had a sun motif with the wedding date inscribed on it.

Another trend we’ve seen is the colour—more brides are choosing to wear silver Kaliras, as opposed to the traditional gold ones, owing to the fact that a lot of brides today are gravitating towards ivory and pastel colored wedding outfits.

Whether you pick big, floor-sweeping Kaliras, or dainty, barely their ones, we feel this beautiful piece of heritage is a must-have for every Indian bride, Punjabi or not!