16 Shringar to Invoke Devi: The Adornments of Divine Feminine Power
In Vedic and Tantric traditions, the Solah Shringar (16 adornments) are not merely ornaments of beauty — they are techniques to awaken the Goddess within.
Each adornment is symbolic, carrying spiritual, psychological, and energetic meaning. When a woman adorns herself with these, she is not just decorating her body, but invoking Shakti — the Divine Feminine in her own being.
In puja (worship), Devi is invited with these adornments, and in life, a woman who honors them steps into her own radiance, dignity, and magnetism.
Below is a detailed table of the 16 Shringar with their descriptions and benefits:
Table: 16 Shringar of Devi
| Shringar | Description | Spiritual / Energetic Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bindi / Tilak | Red dot or tilak placed on the forehead at the Ajna Chakra. | Awakens intuition, focus, and invokes the third-eye of Devi. Protects against negative energies. |
| 2. Sindoor (Vermilion) | Applied in the parting of hair. | Symbol of Shakti and marital harmony. Activates the crown chakra and invokes the power of union. |
| 3. Maang Tikka | Ornament worn on the hair parting, resting on the forehead. | Enhances feminine magnetism, balances lunar energy, brings grace to thoughts. |
| 4. Kajal / Anjana (Kohl) | Applied to the eyes. | Protects from evil eye, cools the eyes, sharpens vision — both inner and outer. |
| 5. Karna Phool (Earrings) | Earrings adorning the ears. | Regulates energy flow in the body, enhances receptivity and listening — invoking Saraswati. |
| 6. Nath (Nose Ring) | Worn on the nose, often with a chain to the ear. | Activates the breath and prana flow. Enhances sensuality and grounding in Shakti. |
| 7. Mangal Sutra | Sacred necklace symbolizing divine union. | Protection of the heart chakra, stabilizes emotions, invokes Lakshmi (abundance in relationships). |
| 8. Haar / Necklace | Neck adornment of pearls, gold, or rudraksha. | Energizes Vishuddhi (throat chakra), enhances expression and dignity. |
| 9. Baajubandh (Armlet) | Worn on the upper arms. | Symbol of strength, protection, and warrior energy of Durga. |
| 10. Bangles (Chudi) | Bracelets worn on the wrists. | Enhance aura of joy, activate nerve points in the wrists, harmonize planetary energies. |
| 11. Mehendi (Henna) | Decorative designs applied to hands and feet. | Coolant for the body, increases pranic flow in the hands, beautifies touch and actions. |
| 12. Rings | Adornments for fingers. | Each finger corresponds to an element; rings balance elemental forces. Enhances commitment and devotion. |
| 13. Kamarbandh (Waistband) | Belt of ornaments tied around the waist. | Enhances sensuality, stabilizes energy in the Manipura (navel chakra), protects life-force. |
| 14. Payal (Anklets) | Worn around the ankles, often with bells. | Grounding, keeps awareness of feet (connection to earth), bells purify space and ward off negativity. |
| 15. Bichhua (Toe Rings) | Worn on second toe of both feet (esp. by married women). | Stimulates reproductive health, balances pranic flow through nadis, connects to fertility. |
| 16. Vastra & Sugandh (Clothes & Fragrance) | Saree, dupatta, or fine attire with natural fragrance. | Represents purity and wholeness. Fragrance elevates mood, invokes divine presence, and magnetism. |
The Inner Meaning of 16 Shringar
Each of these is not just decoration but a mantra for the body. Together, they balance the chakras, awaken Shakti, and turn the body into a living temple of Devi.
- For ritual worship: The 16 Shringar are offered to the Goddess in her murti (idol) or in yantra worship, to invoke her presence fully.
- For personal sadhana: A woman can use them as a meditation, adorning herself as the Devi, feeling her radiance rise with each ornament.
- For inner Shringar: Even without physical ornaments, one can invoke these qualities internally — a bindi of awareness, a garland of mantra, anklets of humility, fragrance of compassion.
✨ To invoke Devi is to remember: You are already divine. The Shringar is not to make you beautiful — it is to remind you that you are beauty itself.
