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

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

  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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