The diversity in the culture and traditions of India make them even more unique. Some of these cultural and traditional practices date back hundreds of years. Various languages, cultures, etiquette, religious practices and traditions come together to enrich India with its remarkable “Cultural Diversity”.

Like many of the states of this country, the culture of West Bengal too, is a smooth blend of both traditional and modern aspects. Marriages in Bengal have always been glorious and colorful affairs that incorporate several rituals.

One of the significant elements of Bengali traditional marriages is the “Shankha Pola (Shakha Paula)”. The bangles of Shankha or conch shell and Pola or lac have been a pivotal aspect of the Bengali rituals of marriage forever. Shankha Pola is worn proudly by a new Bengali bride as it symbolizes ‘Shadhoba” (Shaudho ba) or a married life.

In the wee hours of the morning of the wedding day, a ritual is performed known as the “Dodhi mongol” in which the red and white shell and coral bangles are soaked in turmeric water to purify them. Later seven married women put the bangles on the wrists of the bride.

The Shankha is made of white conch shells and the red one Pola is made of lac. The art of crafting the Shankha Pola bangles has carried-on down through generations. A huge pile of sea shells of the hardness of around 2.5 to 4.0 on the Mohs hardness scale is brought to the factory. Pearl, conch or other seashells are difficult to deal with and one needs to be careful with them all the times
during this procedure. They are taken then to the expert workers who cut the shells into shapes with a specific type of saw. With intense concentration, they cut the shells using the dao holding the ring of the conch with a tool made of wood. The conch shell is cut on the wooden tool with water being dripped continuously over it to help the workers to cut it.

The conch is cut into rings. It is then chiseled on a sharp machine. The rings are buffed to give them a smooth texture by rubbing against a stone and various motifs are then etched on the smooth surfaces. Lotus, petals, a cluster of grains and flowers are the most common motifs used. The joints are neatly carved and concealed with designs.

Polas are red bangles made of lacquer. As in the art of crafting Shankha, the art of crafting Polas is also passed down through generations. Firstly, a large segment of lac is taken and then it is cut into rings or bangles while being chiseled simultaneously. To make it smooth, it is then finely buffed. To make the Shankha and Pola of the same size they are buffed together to make their
edges smooth and with a similar finish. The polas are then dyed by putting them in a red liquid. After dyeing they are hung on a string and dried under the harsh sun to give them a polished, vibrant look.

The shankha and pola symbolize good health and prosperity and it is considered a bad omen for for any married woman to have her Shankha Pola broken.