While a bride's trousseau hosts a long list of jewellery, the pièce de résistance is the mangalsutra. The word is a combination of two Hindi words, 'mangal' & 'sutra'; translating to auspicious thread. The groom ties it around the bride's neck, an important part of the ceremony. While tradition calls for black beads and a gold pendant, modern brides have stepped out of that mould and expressed their individuality in their mangalsutra designs.

The new designs experiment with different materials, styles, and gems while retaining the quintessential mangalsutra look. Many celebrity brides have taken Instagram by storm with their unique mangalsutra designs. Let's take a look at a few!

Mangalsutra Designs Worn by Bollywood Celebrities

1. Katrina Kaif

Having made headlines in the last month of 2021, Katrina Kaif recently posted on her Instagram page pictures flaunting her suave Sabyasachi mangalsutra. The design invokes the traditional image yet steps out with a modern pendant design and eschews gold in favour of diamonds. According to reports, it cost approximately Rs. 8 lakhs!

2. Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja

Sonam Kapoor tied the knot with businessman Anand Ahuja in 2018 and she designed a unique mangalsutra. The design features diamond and gold charm of Sonam and Anand's zodiac signs, Gemini and Leo, on each side of the chain with the pendant being diamond solitaire in the centre. What a delightfully unique design! According to reports, this mangalsutra cost approximately Rs. 55 lakhs! 

3. Priyanka Chopra

Desi girl Priyanka Chopra tied the knot with boyfriend American singer-songwriter Nick Jonas in 2018. Her mangalsutra is designed by Bvlgari. It is set in yellow gold with black onyx beads, and the centrepiece pendant has diamonds. According to the Bvlgari website, it costs approximately Rs.50 lakhs!

4. Anushka Sharma

Though there are a few glimpses that depict the full beauty of Anushka's mangalsutra, pictures from their Tuscany wedding in 2017 do display a rather tantalizing diamond-studded creation. It has a double string of black beads and a floral design of diamonds in the middle. It is rumoured to cost approximately Rs.52 lakhs!

5. Shilpa Shetty Kundera

Shilpa Shetty Kundra's mangalsutra is a choker style chain with a double-layer of black beads interspersed with diamonds and a teardrop diamond pendant at the centre. She is famous for wearing her mangalsutra as a bracelet! It reportedly cost Rs.30 lakhs!

6. Deepika Padukone

Deepika and Ranvir made headlines when they tied the knot back in 2018. Her mangalsutra, designed by Sabyasachi, is a single string of black and gold beads with the pendant being a large solitaire diamond. Simple, elegant, and completely matches her personality. It reportedly costs Rs.20 lakhs!

7. Patralekha  

With a romance lasting over a decade, recently Patralekha and Rajkumar Rao tied the knot. Her mangalsutra is a Sabyasachi creation: a Royal Bengal Mangalsutra in 18-carat gold. The thread is black onyx and pearls. The pendant is flanked on three sides by diamonds. It costs approximately Rs.2 lakhs.

8. Yami Gautam

Actress Yami Gautam is known for her spunky style and that is reflected in her mangalsutra. Designed by international fashion house Bvlgari, it features a gold chain with black stones. The pendant has a flower motif in diamonds and is surrounded by the brand's signature style. It costs approximately Rs.4 lakhs!

Final Words

While the mangalsutra remains an integral part of weddings, brides have much more room to display their individuality and creativity. How would you take inspiration from these B-town mangalsutras?

For more inspiration, visit our Jewellery page! 

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