This Groom Chose To Wear A Mangalsutra Too, Defying All Social Norms!

Now here is something you wouldn't have heard of before! Thankfully in India, weddings are changing for the better, with outdated traditions being rejected by couples who choose to go ahead in their married lives as equals. Here is a groom who not only chose to ditch the old patriachal rules but also adopt a tradition primarily for brides! Yes, groom Shardul chose to wear a mangalsutra for his wife, just like she did for him! The couple got hitched in December 2020 in a Maharashtrian ceremony.

Here's why Shardul chose to do this, in his own words.

"The reason why I wear Mangalsutra." 

"It's my journey from hating the preferential treatment to women (the annoying phrase-'ladies first') or scared male chauvinist where I wanted to start a 'Purush Bachav Samiti' (Believe it exists) to today where I like to believe that I am an advocate of gender equality."

"I don't know how I changed but I sure know why I changed. All thanks to the women in my life. My mother, my sister, my wife, my female friends, my crushes, my ex and definitely my DCS professors. They trusted me and shared their sides of the story and broke the filter which was created by the patriarchal society around me. I have taken an oath now that I will try my best and follow gender equality. I am sure I must have done some typical male chauvinist comments or my actions might have caused pain to women in my early days. Every day I try my best to bring gender equality in my life at least. I know it might not have a huge impact on society but at least it may reduce inequality to women in my life."

"The word Mangal means auspicious and Sutra means thread – together Mangalsutra means an auspicious thread uniting the souls. It symbolises that they will be mates for life until death separates them. The philosophy behind the mangal sutra seems absolutely amazing but the way it is interpreted in society is a little different. It is considered to be an ornament worn by women to signify marital status. I was a little uncomfortable with this interpretation. I wondered, why can't I wear it as well to signify my love towards my wife? Why can't I wear this auspicious thread as a symbol of our relationship?"

"Thankfully my parents, in-laws, my sister and especially my wife accepted this little gesture. Special thanks to @sayaleemarathe and Aadyaa Pune for giving me a customized Male Mangalsutra."

Images and information via @shardulkadam on Instagram.