Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Dress of Widows and Old Women’ of the study on cosmetics, costumes and ornaments of ancient India based on Sanskrit sources. Chapter one deals with cosmetics and methods of enhancing beauty; Chapter two deals with costumes, garments and dresses; Chapter three deals with ornaments for humans and animals. Each chapter deals with their respective materials, types, preparation and trade, as prevalent in ancient Indian society.
2.8. Dress of Widows and Old Women
Widows were usually clad in white single cloth. In Mahābhārata[1], we come across the daughters-in -law of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and other young princesses setting out for oblation for the departed souls attired in white single cloth. This dress symbolises their widowhood. Bāṇa[2] describes Kādambarī clad in two white robes after Candrāpīḍa’s death. Similarly women of old age also are mentioned as clothed in white.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
XV.32.15; III.204.7
[2]:
DAOAI, p.108