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Sacred Traditions

Silver on Crimson Velvet: The Sacred Art of the Pahadi Guloband

Devika Rawat · October 12, 2024

Silver on Crimson Velvet: The Sacred Art of the Pahadi Guloband

In the cold mountain climate of Kumaon, wearing heavy cold metal directly against sensitive throat skin during winter weddings prompted an ingenious artisan marriage: pure 92.5 sterling silver and ceremonial crimson velvet.

The Guloband consists of 10 to 14 hand-embossed 92.5 silver square plaques, each depicting sacred motifs such as the lotus flower, conch, or mountain foliage. These plaques are individually stitched onto a tailored strip of auspicious red velvet using fine silk thread.

The red velvet not only prevents chafing and insulates the throat, but also symbolizes the sacred Sindoor of marital bliss, creating a radiant visual contrast with the lustrous silver.