Solah Shringar and its Ayurvedic Significance

Beauty has never been just about how we look. It has always been about how we feel - balanced, healthy, and connected to our inner energy. One of the most beautiful expressions of this is Solah Shringar, the sixteen adornments of a woman.

But what is Solah Shringar?

The word Shringar means adornment, but in reality it is more than just ornaments. It is an act of self-care, a ritual of devotion, and a way of honoring the body as sacred.

During Navratri, the festival of  worship of the nine forms of Goddess, women often celebrate their own feminine energy through Solah Shringar.

Each ornament, each ritual, is more than decoration. It is a way of inviting health, positivity, and divine strength into the body and mind.

Learn about all sixteen adornments and their Ayurvedic benefits here. 

Solah Shringar in Hindu Culture

The idea of Solah Shringar is as old as our scriptures. It is not just to enhance beauty, but to symbolize power, protection, and grace.

One such tale comes from the story of Goddess Parvati. When she prepared to marry Lord Shiva, she adorned herself with Solah Shringar. Each ornament was not just decoration but a blessing. 

Sindoor for the long life of her husband, kajal to ward off evil, mehendi for love, bangles for prosperity. In that moment, her adornments became a form of prayer, each one holding a deep meaning.

Similarly, in ancient palaces, queens would perform Solah Shringar during festivals and ceremonies. It was believed that when a woman wore all sixteen adornments, she embodied the form of Goddess Lakshmi herself - bringing abundance, fertility, and auspiciousness into her home.

Explore all sixteen adornments in detail here.

Ayurveda and Shringar

Ayurveda too sees beauty not as something external, but as a reflection of inner balance. A glowing face, sparkling eyes, healthy hair, and calm energy are signs of harmony between body, mind, and soul.

Solah Shringar, in this sense, is a bridge - where cultural tradition meets Ayurvedic wisdom, turning simple acts of adornment into rituals of wellness and divine connection.

Many elements of Solah Shringar come directly from Ayurvedic wisdom. Each adornment involves herbs, oils, metals, or rituals that nurture the body and soothe the mind.

• ▪️Sindoor is often made from turmeric and lime, both powerful in balancing energy.

• ▪️Kajal was traditionally prepared from ghee or castor oil, which cool the eyes and protect vision.

• ▪️Mehendi comes from the henna plant, known in Ayurveda to reduce excess heat (Pitta) and calm the nerves.

• ▪️Attar or natural perfumes use flowers like rose and jasmine, which uplift emotions and balance Vata.

Check out all sixteen adornments and their Ayurvedic significance here. 

Why is Solah Shringar important?

When you practice Shringar, you are not just decorating yourself. You are also applying medicines, herbs, and natural substances that support health. The ritual of touch, the fragrance of flowers, the sound of anklets, the colors of clothes.

These are all forms of therapy for the senses. Ayurveda calls this Indriya-prasadhanam, nourishing the senses so that the mind feels peaceful and the spirit feels uplifted.

In this way, Solah Shringar becomes more than an outward tradition. It is a complete Ayurvedic practice that brings harmony to body, mind, and soul.

Read the full guide on the sixteen adornments here.