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Topor (headgear)

A topor (Bengali: টোপর) is a type of conical headgear traditionally worn by the groom as part of the Bengali Hindu wedding ceremony for good luck.[1][2] The topor is typically fragile, made of sholapith and white in colour.[1][3][4]

The topor is traditionally given to the groom by the bride's family.[5] The groom dons the topor before the main ceremony begins.[4] The bride will typically wear related, but differently-shaped, headgear (Bengali: মুকুট, mukut).[5]

Topors are also worn by infant boys as part of the annaprashana ceremony, when they are dressed as grooms.

Religious significance

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According to legend, the topor was created because Shiva wanted special headgear for a wedding and gave this task to Vishvakarma, who failed as he was only specialized in handling hard materials. Shiva then assigned a malakar to make it using sholapith. The topor subsequently became a significant part of traditional Bengali Hindu weddings.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Art and Crafts". Banglapedia — the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  2. ^ Vincent, Elisa (2018). "6 Essentials For A Bengali Bride And Groom To Complete Their Wedding Look". Sulekha. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  3. ^ Majumdar, Rochona (23 March 2009). Marriage and Modernity: Family Values in Colonial Bengal. Duke University Press. p. 110. ISBN 978-0822390800.
  4. ^ a b weddingculture (30 January 2015). "Topor, Mukuts and other Embellishments for the Bengali Bride and Groom". Medium. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Mangal Parinay - Mukut And Topor- Traditional Head Accessory Of Bengali Weddings". MangalParinay. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  6. ^ Mukherjee, Kanai; Bandyopadhyay, Bibhas; Chakravarty, Aloka. New Age Purohit Darpan: Annaprasan (2nd ed.). Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants. p. 4.
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