Unlike traditional Western weddings, Asian weddings are often celebrated with much color and style. Following either cultural or religious traditions, Asian weddings are spectacles in themselves. The Hindu wedding, in particular, is an event worth witnessing. Both the bride and groom are dressed to kill in their fashionable and colorful attires. Though there are many differences between a Hindu wedding and a Western wedding, one difference worth noting is the Hindu groom’s wedding headgear, called the topor.

Historical Significance

In Asia, most things originate from a story, whether real or fictional. Even the Hindu groom’s wedding head gear, was spun from a legend that’s as old as the word-of-mouth tradition. According to legend, the topor was created because Lord Shiva wanted a crown for his wedding. He commissioned Visvakarma, the god’s artiste to create the headgear.

Since Visvakarma was only used to handling hard materials, Shiva had to create someone who could do the job for him. Upon his command, a young handsome man named Malakar appeared on the marshland. Malakar was assigned to make Shiva’s headgear using the shola or cork plant that grew in marshes.

From then on, the descendants of Malakar became the official craftsmen for Lord Shiva. Today, the topor is a staple in a Hindu groom’s wedding attire.

The Topor

Made from shola, also known as the sponge-wood plant or cork tree, the topor is an intricately designed conical headgear worn by Hindu grooms. Since the topor is made from the shola plant, which is soft and light, it is quite fragile and it burns easily. Most topors are plain white; however, some grooms wear topors that are colorful.

The topor is also called a mukut in some regions where Hinduism is practiced. Topors or mukuts are all handcrafted by artisans called malakars. Although some shops use natural shola for the headgear’s material, other shops use artificial shola. The malakars use a kath or special iron knife to carve designs and patterns out of the shola.

Importance

The Hindus have long used the topor as part of their wedding attire. To them, topors made of shola are sentimental objects that bring good luck. Traditionally, the groom receives the topor from the bride’s parents, particularly the father in law, and the topor is worn before the actual wedding.

Sentimental Value

If the topor or any accessory made of shola breaks, it must be cast into water. Traditionally, shola accessories, including the topor, are submerged into a pond’s bed so no one can destroy them. To the Hindus, anyone who wants to harm the couple could do so by destroying or misusing their shola accessories.

The topor should be handled with care at all times. If it accidentally catches fire, bad luck will befall the couple.

Beautiful and symbolic, wearing a topor is a must for Hindu grooms. This headgear can be purchased at traditional Bengali shops; however, some manufacturers also offer these online.

Check out highlights from a Hindu wedding by watching this video.