Women in Bengali sarees blow conch shell next to Howrah bridge in Kolkata

From the archive record

If you recall any movie that was set in Kolkata, you will remember at least one scene depicting Bengali women draped in traditional white sarees with red borders. These are indeed among the most well-known and sought after sarees from this region. The combination of red on white is considered very auspicious by Bengali women. White stands for purity while red symbolizes her fertility. A white or off-white saree with a red border and pallav is often the attire of choice of a married woman for devotional events, religious ceremonies or commemorative functions. These sarees are often accessorized with white bangles made of conch shells (called “shakha”) and red coral bangles (called “pola”), along with red sindoor on the forehead, all symbols of her marital status. Source: www.parinita.co.in/