About Rajasthan
A complete travel guide for Rajasthan (one of the most popular travel
destinations in India) offers information on Rajasthan climate, history,
culture, dance, music and the local transportation. Detailed information
is available on various tourist spots in Rajasthan, hotels in those
destinations, wildlife in Rajasthan, forts & palaces of Rajasthan
and various festivals of Rajasthan.
Rajasthani Turbans are known for their beauty and elegance, they are an essential part of traditional outfit and is still worn in small towns and villages of Rajasthan.
Turban, the headdress of Indian men are known for their beauty and elegance, they are an essential part of Indian traditional outfit. The turbans add color to the man's costume. Some of the turbans are also called by the cloth by which it is tied, like PACHRANGI turban is made of a five different colored chunri cloth and then jari turbans are there made by the cloth of jari and silk, it is generally worn on formal occasions of marriage along with Sherwani or Jodhpuri Suits with heavy beautiful embroidery patterns on them. Pink, Red and green patterns worn for marriage events. Tying the turban is an art in itself and Rajasthani take great pride in perfecting the art. Pagribands are the specialists who master the art of turban-tying in Jodhpur; the multi-colored PANCHRAMYA Pagri comes in color combinations of saffron, white, pink, red and yellow saffron. Brightly colored striped turbans are known as leheria turbans('leheria' in Hindi literally means waves).
Turban Styles :
It has been estimated that there are approximately one thousand different styles and types of turbans in Rajasthan, various styles of turbans denote region and caste. These variations are by different names such as pagari and safa. A pagari is usually 82 feet long and 8 inches wide. A safa is shorter and broader. The common man wears turbans of one color, while the elite wear designs and colors according to the occasion.
Tying the Turban:
Achieving the different styles with just a length of material requires great skill.
Specialists in this art, called pagribands, were employed by the royal courts, but Rajasthanis generally take pride in practicing and perfecting the art of turban-tying themselves.
A safa is much more than just an item of headgear to protect the wearer from the sun's heat.
By its shape, color and size you can tell a great deal about the man, such as where he comes from , what he does for his living, and his position in the society. A safa is about30 feet long and about 4 feet wide. It was traditionally considered an essential part of a man's clothing, and to appear in public without one was a sign of grossly bad behavior. The color, pattern, and style of tying a turban vary according to community, region and even district. Thus it is said that the dialect of men's turbans changes every 12 miles in Rajasthan. Some colors and patterns are seasonal, such as the white and red falguniya turban that is worn in the spring. Other signify family circumstances ; for instance, the dotted chunri pattern or bright colors signify a marriage or the birth of a child.
On the other hand, colors like dark blue, maroon or khaki signify a death in the family. Wearing the wrong type of turban under the wrong circumstances can make you an object of ridicule.
Some of the turbans are also called by the cloth by which it is tied , like pachrangi turban is made of a five different coloured chunri cloth and then jari turbans are there made by the cloth of jari and silk , it is generally worn on formal occasions of marriage along with Sherwani or Jodhpuri suits with heavy beautiful embriodery patterns on them.
Trend-setting Turban:
Each region of Rajasthan takes great pride in its own distinctive way of tying a turban. The people of Jodhpur, however , claim that the Jodhpuri turban is superior to all the rest, pointing to the fact that it has been adopted by trend-setters all over Rajasthan , from Bikaner to Jaipur The trend in some parts of Rajasthan is to wear cooler colours in the dry hot season and warmer colours during the monsoon.
Red and white are favoured during spring, while dotted patterns and bright colours usually signify the birth or marriage of a wearer's child. Dark dull colours like dark blue or maroon signify a death in the man's family.
Multi-coloured turbans are sometimes used for weddings and festivals and are an absolute must for the respected older members of the family. When a man ties his turban, he twists the fabric across the front of the head to one side as he simultaneously turns the turban around and around his head to achieve a balanced shape as he continues to add more fabric.
It looks a lot easier than it is, bearing in mind the wearer has to "feel" his way without the luxury of a mirror in many cases. The turban may be slipped on and off like a hat for a couple of days until it is soiled and needs to be unwound and washed.Wearing the wrong type of turban on the wrong occasion could result in ridicule for the wearer. Wearing the turban of another caste is unacceptable. Social pressure and contempt towards the man and his family would soon put him in his place.
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