Temple Jewelry or Contemporary Jewelry, Which is Best to Wear on Onam?

What is Onam?

Onam is one of Kerala's largest, most festive celebrations. Florals, food, culture, and fashion—the Onam Festival is about preparations for each family member's Onam appearance and gathering together; a significant component of dressing for the festival is choosing appropriate jewelry. Temple jewelry and modern, trendy jewelry will be the two primary options when selecting pieces of jewelry for this year’s Onam celebration. So, which will be better suited to your festive outfit?

In this post, we will look at how to choose the right jewelry piece for your Onam outfit to coordinate with current Onam jewelry trends by contrasting modern-style jewelry with temple-style jewelry.

Temple Jewelry: What Are They?

Temple Jewelry is among the oldest styles of jewelry; these are made using fine quality metals and embellished with precious and semi-precious stones. They originate from old South Indian temples and were originally made for the adornment of gods, goddesses, dancers, and so forth. The intricate designs of these pieces of jewelry include depictions of gods and goddesses, peacocks, elephants, flowers, etc. Temple jewels are also distinguished by their distinctive, intricate metalwork, which creates the appearance of ivory.

Temple Jewelry for Onam:

Ornate neckpieces made of Temple Jewelry

Kasu mala (coin necklaces)

Lakshmi pendants

Jhumkas (earrings)

Temple-style bangles

Maang tikka and chutti (headpieces) are all items that may be worn.

Gold highlights and ornate detailing are some of the many reasons that people find Temple Jewelry so appealing when dressing up for the Festival of Onam.

Contemporary Jewelry: What Is It?

Defining Contemporary Jewelry

Contemporary jewelry incorporates a modern aesthetic, minimalistic design, and can be styled in various ways. Additionally, many pieces will have a geometric pattern, utilize pearls, zircon stones, and/or include lightweight materials, making them suitable for both ethnic clothing and western clothing.

Examples of Popular Contemporary Jewelry Styles

Minimalism Necklaces

Pearl Earrings

Layered Chains

Statement Studs

Choker Styles

Stone Set Bangle

If you are someone that enjoys a stylish or clean-cut design, then contemporary jewelry will appeal to you.

Reasons to Choose Temple Jewellery for Onam

1. Complementary to Traditional Kerala Garment

A traditional Kerala Kasavu saree paired with temple jewellery completes the authentic and elegant look for Onam festivities. The gold finish of the jewellery blends perfectly with the creamy white and gold colours of these traditional garments.

2. Culturally Significant

Temple jewellery embodies the culture of Kerala and the festive traditions associated with it. Wearing this type of jewellery on Onam helps to keep the spirit of the festival alive.

3. Timeless in Style

Temple jewellery does not follow the constant changes in fashion. As such, it will continue to be a favourite piece of festive attire from year to year.

4. Excellent for Photographs

Temple jewellery is great for enhancing photographs, contributing glamour and sophistication to family gatherings, Onam festivities and posting on social media.

What Type of Jewellery Should You Wear for Onam?

Temple jewellery is the obvious choice when it comes to looking festive in Kerala and has a great combination of skilled craftsmanship, cultural history and enduring beauty that harmoniously match the festival.

For those who like to go for something modern and light, contemporary jewellery offers a fashionable option. Many people are now wearing a mixture of both types of jewellery by combining contemporary necklaces with temple earrings or using a mixture of both.

For an Onam look, the ideal way to combine tradition with modern sophistication while still staying within your own style.

When determining what types of jewellery to wear for Onam, temple jewellery wins out over contemporary jewellery due to the richness of its heritage, festive quality and the fact that it is the ideal match to traditional Kerala dress. In addition, while contemporary jewellery is versatile and possesses contemporary charm, temple jewellery is still the quintessential symbol of style for any occasion.

Whether you prefer the classic temple jewellery style or like to follow current trends in modern jewellery for Onam, your choice of jewellery will enhance your festive look for your Onam celebrations and make them unforgettable.