Jewellery Made for Gods — Worn by Mortals
There is a category of Indian jewellery that is unlike any other in the world. It was not designed for human beings. It was designed for gods.
Temple jewellery — known as devasthanam aabharanam in Sanskrit — was originally created by master goldsmiths to adorn the idols of deities in South Indian temples. Every piece was made to specification, following the precise iconographic requirements of the deity it was meant to adorn. The proportions, the motifs, the materials — everything was determined by the sacred texts (Agamas) that govern temple worship.
Over centuries, as the artisans who made jewellery for the gods began to make jewellery for the devadasis (temple dancers) who performed before the deities, and then for the royal courts that patronised the temples, temple jewellery gradually entered the human world. Today, it is worn by classical dancers, brides, and women who want to connect with India's deepest aesthetic and spiritual traditions.
At Divya India, our temple jewellery collection honours this extraordinary tradition. This guide explores the history, the meaning, and the beauty of India's most sacred jewellery form.
The Origins of Temple Jewellery
The tradition of adorning deity idols with jewellery is as old as temple worship itself — which in South India dates back at least 2,000 years. The great Chola, Pallava, and Vijayanagara empires were the golden age of temple jewellery — a period when the most skilled goldsmiths in the world competed to create the most magnificent ornaments for the most powerful deities.
The temples of Tamil Nadu — Madurai Meenakshi, Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar, Chidambaram Nataraja, Tirupati Venkateswara — accumulated treasuries of jewellery that were among the most valuable collections in the world. The Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, whose vaults were partially opened in 2011, was found to contain jewellery and gold worth an estimated ₹1.2 lakh crore — making it the richest temple in the world.
The artisans who made this jewellery were called vishwakarmas — the descendants of Vishwakarma, the divine architect and craftsman of the gods. Their craft was hereditary, their techniques were secret, and their work was considered a form of worship. To make jewellery for a deity was the highest calling a craftsman could have.
The Iconic Pieces of Temple Jewellery
Maang Tikka — The Crown of the Forehead
The maang tikka — a pendant that hangs from the centre parting of the hair onto the forehead — is one of the most iconic pieces of Indian jewellery. In temple iconography, it represents the third eye — the seat of divine wisdom and spiritual vision. The central stone of the maang tikka is placed precisely at the Ajna chakra — the point between the eyebrows that is the centre of intuition and higher consciousness.
Wearing a maang tikka is not merely decorative — it is an activation of the third eye, a reminder that the wearer carries divine wisdom within her.
Jhumkas — The Bells of the Goddess
The jhumka — the bell-shaped earring that is perhaps the most universally beloved piece of Indian jewellery — has its origins in temple iconography. The bell shape represents the cosmic sound — the primordial vibration from which all of creation emerged. The tinkling of jhumkas as a woman moves is considered auspicious — a constant, gentle reminder of the divine sound that underlies all existence.
In temple jewellery, jhumkas are often elaborately crafted with multiple tiers, each tier representing a different level of cosmic existence. The most elaborate temple jhumkas — worn by deity idols during major festivals — can be several inches long and weigh hundreds of grams.
Necklaces — The Sacred Adornment of the Throat
Temple jewellery necklaces are among the most elaborate and beautiful objects in Indian art. The most iconic is the kasu mala — a necklace of gold coins, each coin stamped with a deity image. The kasu mala represents abundance and divine blessing — each coin is a prayer, and wearing the necklace is like wearing a garland of prayers around your neck.
Other iconic temple necklaces include the lakshmi haar (featuring Lakshmi pendants), the temple coin necklace (featuring various deity images), and the ruby-emerald necklace (featuring the sacred combination of red and green stones that represents Shakti and Vishnu).
Vanki — The Upper Arm Ornament
The vanki — an armlet worn on the upper arm — is one of the most distinctive pieces of South Indian temple jewellery. It is shaped like a serpent or a stylised bird (often a peacock or a parrot), and it represents the divine energy that flows through the arms. In temple iconography, the vanki is worn by warrior deities — Durga, Kartikeya, Rama — as a symbol of divine strength.
Waist Belt (Oddiyanam) — The Sacred Centre
The oddiyanam — a wide, elaborately crafted waist belt — is one of the most spectacular pieces of temple jewellery. It is worn at the level of the Manipura (solar plexus) chakra — the centre of personal power and vitality. In temple iconography, the oddiyanam is worn by all major goddesses and is considered an essential part of the divine feminine adornment.
Nose Ring (Nath) — The Auspicious Ornament
The nose ring has deep roots in temple jewellery tradition. In South Indian temples, the deity's nose ring is one of the most carefully crafted and most frequently changed ornaments — different nose rings are worn for different festivals and occasions. The nose ring represents the goddess's beauty and auspiciousness, and wearing one is considered a blessing from the divine feminine.
Temple Jewellery in Classical Dance
The most visible context in which temple jewellery is worn today is classical Indian dance — particularly Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam. The complete set of jewellery worn by a Bharatanatyam dancer — maang tikka, jhumkas, necklaces, vanki, oddiyanam, anklets, and nose ring — is a direct continuation of the jewellery worn by the devadasis who danced before the deities in South Indian temples.
When a Bharatanatyam dancer performs, she is not merely dancing — she is embodying the deity. Her jewellery is not decoration — it is consecration. Each piece marks a specific part of her body as sacred, transforming her from a human performer into a divine vessel.
How to Wear Temple Jewellery Today
Temple jewellery is no longer confined to classical dancers and brides. Today, it is worn by women who want to connect with India's deepest aesthetic traditions — at festivals, at weddings, at cultural events, and even in everyday life.
For festivals: A complete set of temple jewellery — maang tikka, jhumkas, and a temple coin necklace — paired with a traditional saree or salwar kameez and a matching stole is the most authentic and beautiful festival look.
For weddings: Temple jewellery is the traditional choice for South Indian brides, but it is increasingly popular with brides from all regions who want a jewellery style that is both traditional and distinctive.
For everyday wear: A single piece of temple jewellery — a pair of jhumkas, a simple temple coin pendant — adds an authentic Indian touch to any outfit, traditional or contemporary.
Pairing with stoles: Temple jewellery pairs beautifully with a premium stole. The combination of sacred jewellery and a sacred stole creates a complete devotional aesthetic that is both beautiful and meaningful. Our Divine Collection stoles are specifically designed to complement temple jewellery.
Caring for Temple Jewellery
- Store in a soft cloth pouch or jewellery box to prevent scratching
- Clean with a soft, dry cloth after each use
- Avoid contact with water, perfume, and chemicals
- For gold-plated pieces, avoid excessive rubbing which can wear away the plating
- Store away from direct sunlight to preserve the colour of stones and enamel
The Living Tradition
Temple jewellery is not a museum piece. It is a living tradition — still being made by master craftsmen in the workshops of Nagercoil, Kumbakonam, and Chennai, still being worn by dancers and brides and devotees, still carrying the energy of the divine that was first encoded in it thousands of years ago.
When you wear temple jewellery, you are not just wearing beautiful objects. You are wearing prayers. You are wearing history. You are wearing the accumulated devotion of thousands of artisans who spent their lives making beautiful things for the gods.
Explore our Temple Jewellery collection at Divya India — and find the piece that speaks to your soul. Pair with our Divine Collection stoles for a complete sacred look. 🕏✨