A Judamani (Hindi: चूडामणि) is a lotus-shaped Indian

headdress Headgear, headwear, or headdress is any element of clothing which is worn on one's head, including hats, helmets, turbans and many other types. Headgear is worn for many purposes, including protection against the elements, decoration, or fo ...

that is usually studded with jewels. It is worn in the center of a knot of hair. The headdress derives its name from ''chuda'' (Hindi:चूड़ा) meaning 'bundle of hair' and ''mani'' (Hindi:मणि) meaning 'jewel'. ''Chudamani'' may also refer to ivory bangles worn by brides during wedding ceremonies in

Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...

. When a Chudamani is studded with

rubies Ruby is a pinkish-red-to-blood-red-colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphi ...

, it is known as an ''Aruna Chudamani''.

Legend

The goddess Ratnakar Nandini was born during

Samudra Manthana The Samudra Manthana () is a major episode in Hinduism that is elaborated in the Vishnu Purana, a major text of Hinduism. The Samudra Manthana explains the origin of the elixir of eternal life, amrita. Nomenclature *Sāgara manthana (साग� ...

. Upon seeing God

Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...

, Ratnakar Nandini devoted herself to him. When she met Vishnu, he gave her a jewel-studded ornament named Chudamani.

Mahalakshmi Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvat ...

was instead married to Vishnu and Ratnakar Nandini was left by herself. Vishnu advised her to go to the Trikuta Mountain and meditate there during

Dvapara Yuga ''Dvapara Yuga'' (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''Dvāpara-yuga'') (Devanagari: द्वापर युग), in Hinduism, is the third and third-best of the four ''yugas'' (world ages) in a ''Yuga Cycle'', preceded b ...

and

Treta Yuga ''Treta Yuga'' (IAST: ''Tretā-yuga'') (Devanagari: त्रेतायुग), in Hinduism, is the second and second-best of the four '' yugas'' (world ages) in a '' Yuga Cycle'', preceded by '' Krita (Satya) Yuga'' and followed by '' Dvapara ...

, blessing and fulfilling devotees wishes. While setting out for penance Ratnakar Nandini gave Chudamani as a souvenir to Vishnu. On watching this,

Indra Indra (; ) is the Hindu god of weather, considered the king of the Deva (Hinduism), Devas and Svarga in Hinduism. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. volumes Indra is the m ...

was tempted to get the Chudamani. Vishnu gave it to him, who in turn placed it in the hair of

Indrani Indrani (Sanskrit: इन्द्राणी, IAST: ''Indrāṇī''), also known as Shachi (Sanskrit: शची, IAST: ''Śacī''), is the queen of the Deva (Hinduism), devas in Hinduism. Described as tantalisingly beautiful, proud and kind, ...

(Indra's wife). When the native of Indra,

Swarga Svarga (, ), also known as Swarga, Indraloka and Svargaloka, is the celestial abode of the devas in Hinduism. Svarga is one of the seven higher lokas ( esoteric planes) in Hindu cosmology. Svarga is often translated as heaven, though it is reg ...

(Heaven) was attacked by a Demon named Shambarasur, Indra sought help from

Dashratha Dasharatha (, IAST: Daśaratha; born Nemi) was the king of Kosala, with its capital at Ayodhya, in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Dasharatha married Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. He was the father of Rama, the protagonist of the epic Ramayana, ...

. Dasharatha along with

Kaikeyi Kaikeyi,(Sanskrit: कैकेयी, IAST: Kaikeyī) is a princess of Kekeya and the queen of Kosala in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Kaikeyi is the third queen and favourite consort of King Dasharatha, who ruled Kosala from its capital, A ...

came to the rescue of Indra and defeated Shambarasur. As a token of appreciation, Indra gifted wings of four swans belonging to Mandakini. Indrani gifted her Chudamani to Kaikeyi and gave the boon that the lady wearing this will remain Akhand Saubhagyawati (she will die with married bliss) and the kingdom she lives in will remain unconquered. Kaikeyi gifted this to

Sumitra Sumitra (, IAST: Sumitrā) is a princess of Kashi and the queen of Kosala in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Sumitra is the second queen consort of Dasharatha, the king of Kosala, who ruled from Ayodhya. Regarded to be a wise and dedicated wom ...

who in turn gave it to Seeta, Shree Ramachandra's wife. Seeta gave it to Mahaveer Hanuman as a signage when he returned from Lanka to Shree Ramachandra after finding Sita.

History

The Chudamani has been worn since the

Satavahana dynasty The Satavahanas (; ''Sādavāhana'' or ''Sātavāhana'', IAST: ), also referred to as the Andhras (also ''Andhra-bhṛtyas'' or ''Andhra-jatiyas'') in the Puranas, were an ancient Indian dynasty. Most modern scholars believe that the Satavaha ...

. Sculptures of

Amaravati Amaravati ( , Telugu language, Telugu: ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Guntur district on the right bank of the Krishna River, southwest of Vijayawada. The city derives its name from the nearby his ...

and

Nagarjunakonda Nagarjunakonda (ISO: Nāgārjunikoṇḍā, meaning Nagarjuna Hill) is a historical town, now an island located near Nagarjuna Sagar in Palnadu district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of India's richest Buddhist sites, and n ...

can be seen wearing Chudamani.

Gujarat

In Gujarat,

ivory Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and Tooth, teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mamm ...

bangles are known as ''Chuda'' or ''Chudamani''. The bride receives them from her mother's family just before marriage and it is worn during the marriage ceremony.

References

{{reflist Jewellery of India