Mangalasutra or thread of good will is a necklace worn specifically by married women as a symbol of their marriage.
Initially it was a thread that a bride and groom tied on each other signifying their union in good will. Now, the groom ties it around his bride's neck to indicate that he receives her from her father (see Vivaha).
The most common Mangalasutra is made of two strings of small black beads with a pendant, usually of gold. The black beads are believed to act as protection against evil (see Nazar Utarna). Married women wear this to protect their marriage and the life of their husband. In southern India, the Mangalasutra is called 'tali'. It is a small gold ornament, strung on a cotton cord or a gold chain.
Traditionally, a married woman never removed her mangalasutra. If she became a widow, it was cut off. Nowadays however, this custom is not strictly applied, and not all married women wear a mangalasutra.
