Maang Tikka for Women

What is a maang tikka?

Maang tikka: a head ornament with a hook or chain that fixes at the centre parting of the hair, so that a pendant rests on the middle of the forehead. It is also written mang tikka or simply tikka, and it is a familiar part of a bridal look.

Descriptions of the ornament agree on this basic design: a hook at the parting holds it in place and the pendant falls on the forehead, as the Wikipedia entry on the maang tikka notes. Every piece on this page is artificial jewellery made to that pattern, in many shapes and finishes.

Which types of maang tikka can you buy here?

Most listings are named after the stones or style they carry. Use the table to match a name to a look, and open the style page if one design catches your eye.

What do names like High Gold Polish and Rose Rhodium mean?

Many titles carry a finish name such as High Gold Polish, Mehendi Polish, Rose Rodium or White Rodium. These words describe the colour of the metal surface: a warm yellow, a darker antique tone, a pinkish tone or a silvery white. They help you pick a tone that matches your other jewellery. They do not say anything about the material underneath, so judge the colour from the photos.

Which maang tikka suits a bride?

Brides usually choose a fuller pendant, often kundan-style or pearl, and match its finish to the necklace and earrings. A tikka with a larger centre stone and a small drop looks balanced on the forehead without hiding the face. Pick the tone first, either warm gold-tone or white, then the stone colour that echoes the lehenga. You can browse matching necklace sets, earrings and bangles, or look at the dulhan set page for heavier combinations.

Which maang tikka goes with a lehenga or a saree?

With a lehenga, a bold kundan-style or AD tikka holds its own against heavy embroidery. With a silk saree, antique and temple-style pieces look at home because their finish echoes zari borders. For a cotton or georgette saree, a slim pearl tikka is enough. Our saree and lehenga colour guide shows which stone colours work with which fabrics.

How is a tikka different from a matha patti, passa and sheeshphool?

A tikka is a single pendant on the parting. A matha patti is a wider headpiece with a central pendant and side chains that follow the hairline, a passa sits at the side of the head, and a sheeshphool is a crown-like piece worn on the top of the head. These pieces are often worn together for a bridal look. You will find them on the hair accessories page, which is also the place for juda pins.

Choosing a drop length and size for your forehead

There is no fixed rule, so treat this as a styling guide. A shorter pendant that ends at the hairline is easy for everyday wear and is comfortable with a fringe. A longer drop that reaches the top of the brow suits a bride or a festive evening. If your forehead is small, choose a lighter pendant so the face is not crowded. A broad forehead can carry a bigger one. Check the product photos worn on a model to judge the proportion.

Can you wear a maang tikka for haldi and mehendi?

Yes. For daytime functions many people prefer light pieces, such as a pearl or floral tikka, which pair well with yellow, green and pastel outfits. Our haldi, mehendi and sangeet jewellery guide explains the colours and weights that work well for each function. For a festive evening, such as the Karwa Chauth look, a kundan-style tikka lifts a simple saree.

How do you keep a maang tikka in place?

Part your hair in the centre and set the hook at the parting, then slide the pendant so it rests in the middle of the forehead. A small hair pin on each side of the hook adds hold, and a light hair spray helps on silky hair. If the chain pulls, lengthen the loop at the back so it lies flat. Use the pin to anchor the hook, so the weight does not rest on one strand.

Matching your tikka with the rest of the look

Keep one tone through the head, ears and neck. If your earrings are heavy jhumkas, choose a slimmer tikka, and if the necklace is a statement piece, one bold tikka is enough. Rings and bangles can follow the same colour, and you can see them on the finger rings and pendant sets pages. For heritage styles, browse kundan jewellery, antique jewellery, temple jewellery and Maharashtrian jewellery.

Choosing a maang tikka within your budget

Use the price filter above the products to set your limit, then compare designs inside it. Light pieces cost the least, and heavy bridal ones with many stones cost the most. Free shipping starts at Rs 499, so adding a matching pair of earrings may bring the delivery charge to nil.

Looking after your maang tikka

Put it on after your hair, makeup and perfume are done, and take it off before you sleep. Store it in a small box with the chain laid straight, apart from other jewellery, so stones do not scratch each other. Wipe it with a soft dry cloth after wearing. These habits help any artificial jewellery, though no finish can be promised to last forever.

Questions about a design? Contact us, read about OyeKudiye or check the shipping policy. Orders outside India are handled on request.

Source: Maang tikka, Wikipedia (position at the parting and the hook). The descriptions of matha patti, passa and sheeshphool follow common usage in Indian bridal styling, and names vary by region.