Topor (headgear)

A topor (Bengali: টোপর) is a type of conical headgear traditionally worn by grooms as part of the Bengali Hindu wedding ceremony.[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. It is believed to bring good luck.[4] Brides 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 like grooms.

Religious significance

According to a legend associated with it, it is evident that the Topor was crafted because Lord Shiva wanted to wear a special headwear for the wedding ceremony and he gave this task to Vishvakarma but he failed to design a beautiful and eye-catching headgear as he was only specialized in handling hard materials. Later, the Lord Shiva assigned a Malakar to make a headgear using sholapith. From then, the Topor became a significant part of traditional Bengali Hindu weddings.[6]

References
  1. "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. weddingculture (30 January 2015). "Topor, Mukuts and other Embellishments for the Bengali Bride and Groom". Medium. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  5. "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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