Maang Tikka
A head ornament worn along the hair parting, with a pendant resting on the forehead.
A maang tikka hooks into the hair at the crown and runs a chain down the parting to a pendant that sits at the hairline.
In pearl versions the chain is typically a fine strand of seed pearls, with a larger pearl or a set pendant at the drop.
The wider version, with side chains fanning across the head, is a matha patti.
When you are buying
Match the metal tone of a tikka to the rest of the set. It sits directly beside the face, so a mismatch in plating shows more here than anywhere else on the body.
Pearl maang tikka
2 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹3,920.
Temple Jewellery
South Indian jewellery in a deity and motif vocabulary, originally made to adorn temple idols and now worn by dancers and brides.
Seed Pearl
A very small pearl, under about 2mm, used in clusters, embroidery and temple work.
Bridal Set
A matched group of pieces worn together for a wedding: typically a necklace, earrings, and often a maang tikka.