Traditionally, Lugra sarees are made from cotton or silk, both suitable for Maharashtra’s coastal climate. Cotton is preferred for everyday wear due to its breathability and comfort, while silk is often reserved for special occasions and festivals. Lugra sarees often feature bright and vibrant colours like red, green, yellow, and blue, which hold cultural significance and reflect the lively spirit of the Koli community.
The Koli man is wearing a kanthi featuring Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. Both women and men wear the kanthi only on special occasions. This particular kanthi was inherited from his mother.
Koli men commonly wear gold pendants and chains. The pendant this man is wearing features a portrait of a deity, most likely Khandoba or Shinya Mahadev.
A woman adorns the mangalsutra alongside a Lakshmi Haar. The Lakshmi Haar, as its name implies, is a long necklace featuring circular designs embossed with the image of the Goddess Lakshmi, a symbol of wealth, fertility, and prosperity.
Married Koli women wear nath (nose ring) and bugadi (traditional ear ornaments that hang from the upper part of the ear). These pieces are significant parts of the Koli bridal attire and symbolize the community’s cultural identity.
The Koli man is wearing a kanthi featuring Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. Both women and men wear the kanthi only on special occasions. This particular kanthi was inherited from his mother.
The gaathla, also known as the mangalsutra, is a long necklace with multiple strands of black beads interspersed with gold (on the right). The mangalsutra is an essential piece of jewellery for married women, worn from the day of their wedding throughout their married life. There are two versions: a simpler one (on the left) for daily use and a longer, more elaborate one for special occasions and festivals (on the right).
The gaathla, also known as the mangalsutra, is a long necklace with multiple strands of black beads interspersed with gold (on the right). The mangalsutra is an essential piece of jewellery for married women, worn from the day of their wedding throughout their married life. There are two versions: a simpler one (on the left) for daily use and a longer, more elaborate one for special occasions and festivals (on the right).