The red bracelet, commonly known as the kalava or mauli, is an important Hindu tradition in India. Tied around the wrist, it is believed to signify piety, honor Hindu deities, and provide protection.
The red kalava is made from cotton threads and holds great religious and cultural significance. Wearing it is an ancient practice rooted in Hindu scriptures and mythology. Over the years, it has become an integral part of both everyday life and special occasions for many Hindus across India.
In this article, we will explore the various reasons and symbolism behind wearing a red kalava bracelet in India.
Religious and Mythological Significance
The red kalava finds mention in Hindu religious texts as an auspicious symbol of blessings from the gods.
According to one legend, the preserver God Vishnu tied a holy thread around the wrist of his devotee King Bali to grant him immortality. This thread protected Bali from death and identified him as a follower of dharma.
Another popular story is about the Pandavas from the Mahabharata epic. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, tore a piece of her saree to tie around Krishna’s bleeding wrist. This cloth transformed into a protective band that shielded Krishna and bestowed him with special powers.
The Brahma Vaivarta Purana also describes Goddess Parvati gifting a sacred red thread to Lord Ganesha before any ritual or undertaking. This kalava tied by the mother became a symbol of her affection and blessings.
In essence, myths establish the kalava as a tool invoked by the gods themselves to guard against adversities. The devotees wear it to invoke the deities and channel their energy.
Types of Kalava
There are three main types of sacred red kalava threads worn in India:
Raksha Kalava
The most common kalava worn on a daily basis is the Raksha Kalava for protection. People of all ages wear this as an easy and affordable way to receive the blessings of the divine.
The Raksha Kalava is made of simple red cotton threads. Sometimes, it may have a small pendant or charm attached as an amulet. The red color signifies activity, energy, and success.
Pavitra Kalava
The Pavitra Kalava is a special kalava worn during Hindu rituals and pujas. ‘Pavitra’ means pure, so this kalava indicates spiritual purity attained by the wearer.
It is made of red and yellow threads woven together signifying devotion to God. The yellow represents knowledge and bathing in holy waters.
Hindus wear the Pavitra Kalava on the wrist while conducting sacred rituals, homas, or while praying in the temple. It is believed to sanctify the puja and create an aura of divinity.
Khadi Kalava
The Khadi Kalava is made from hand spun cotton threads or silken threads. Khadi denotes village industry and symbolizes simplicity.
Earlier, saints and people living in ashrams used to wear khadi kalavas. But now, these have become popular as trendy bracelets made with delicate designs.
The khadi red bracelets are convenient to wear daily. They also promote sustainability as eco-friendly and ethically sourced bracelets.
Significance of the Red Color
In the Hindu religion, red is the color of energy, strength, determination, and auspiciousness.
The red pigment used to dye the kalava threads also has traditional roots. Vermilion or sindooram is considered holy and used for applying tilaks on the forehead during pujas.
In fact, many Hindu women also wear bangles matching the red kalava during religious occasions and festivals. For suhagin women who have living husbands, it is customary to wear a red sari along with bright red bangles, and a red kalava too.
The red bracelet ultimately represents honor and prosperity for married women. It is an important symbol of their marital status, praying for their husband’s long life.
Occasions When Red Kalava is Worn
During Religious Ceremonies
The red kalava is tied by priests during elaborate rituals and pujas to mark the beginning of any auspicious work. Important festivals like Diwali also begin by wearing a sacred red bracelet on the wrist.
Kalavas are used in rituals seeking protection from evil energies and hurdles. Special red threads kalavas with amulets are also worn during the gruhapravesh puja performed when entering a new home.
While Taking Blessed Food
Devout Hindus wear the red bracelet when partaking blessed food or prasad at temples and during festivals. The kalava sanctifies the prasad and brings good luck for digestion.
In fact, the grandmother or seniors in traditional Indian families tie a red thread around the wrists of young children before feeding them their first solid food. This mauli protects the child and aids healthy growth.
During Fasts and Vows
You can see many women wearing the sacred kalava during Karwa Chauth or other auspicious vrat days devoted to Gods like Shiva and Vishnu.
The red bracelet reminds them of their fasting vows, giving them strength to perform the rituals with spiritual concentration.
In South India, the Ayyappan pilgrimage mandates wearing a red kalava on the way to the Sabarimala temple. The kalava must be cut off only after exiting the temple.
While Visiting Temples
Hindus wear the red kalava when visiting temples to show their devotion. The red bracelet blessed by the temple priest acts as a protective shield against evil.
In fact, temple towns like Tirupati which attract thousands of pilgrims daily, do brisk business by selling holy red threads and bracelets to devotees.
During Weddings
Red kalavas are an integral part of Hindu weddings. The bride ties a red thread around the groom’s wrist during the marriage rituals.
This symbolizes her acceptance of the union and prayers for her husband’s wellbeing. The groom also gifts a red bracelet to the bride.
In many communities, close relatives of the couple wear red threads during the wedding to bless the new beginning.
How to wear the red bracelet properly?
The kalava should adorn the right wrist of men and the left wrist of women. It is tied by the priest or elders to signify their blessings for the wearer.
Once worn, the kalava should not be removed on your own. It protects its sanctity when worn with faith for the full duration.
The red bracelet can be snipped and taken off only after the particular ritual or vow is complete. For instance, a Karwa Chauth kalava is removed only after completing the fast and seeing the moon at night.
Hindus wear the kalava on the wrist because it covers the veins that connect to the heart. This symbolizes that their hearts beat for divine spirituality and follow dharma.
Other beliefs about the red kalava
The religious red kalava is more than just a piece of thread. Here are some other traditional beliefs attached to it:
- It should always be worn in sets of 3 or 7 threads while undertaking any new work.
- One should not wear torn or dirty kalava as it brings bad luck.
- Goddess Lakshmi is believed to reside in the red kalava.
- It wards off the evil eye and negative energies from jealous people.
- It brings good luck, health, and prosperity when worn with faith.
Ultimately, the red bracelet is a simple way to connect with long-standing Indian customs. The sacred kalava threads Indians wear bring them closer to their culture and spirituality.
Conclusion
The ubiquitous red kalava is an integral part of Hindu beliefs and practices. This spiritual thread is a visible marker of piety, blessing, and devotional protection.
Its origins lie in mythology, symbolizing safety bestowed by the Hindu deities. The red color represents energy, strength, and auspiciousness.
Worn during important rituals, festivities, pujas, fasts, and visits to temples, the sacred red bracelet acts as a shield against misfortunes. Tying a kalava is also a way of seeking blessings from elders.
The simple cotton kalava threads bind the wearer to centuries of Hindu heritage and beliefs. Indians across all sections of society proudly wear these red bracelets as part of culture and religious duty.