2.1. Head Ornaments (e): Paṭṭa

Paṭṭa is a band like ornament, adorning the hair knot. It is usually made of gold and sometimes studded with jewels.

In Bhāgavatapurāṇa, Mukunda is described as dressed in Paṭṭa^[1].

Most of the images of kings and queens depicted in the Indian art have such head ornaments^[2].

In Bṛhatsaṃhitā, there is even a chapter devoted to this head ornament entitled Paṭṭalakṣṇādhyāya, where five types of Paṭṭa are mentioned^[3]. Of these, one with five crests is meant for king, while the number of crests on Paṭṭa of queens and princes are three. For an army chief, it is of one crest. Prasādapaṭṭa is given in honour by the king, which has no crest on it. In the text it is said that for making a Paṭṭa, pure gold is to be used. The text also gives a detailed account of the measurements used in the making of a Paṭṭa. Since this crown was regarded as a symbol of kingship, special care was given in its manufacturing. Even the future of a country could be predicted, on the basis of the omens during the crown making.

The flower wreaths worn on the crown were called Uttaṃsaka. Bṛhatsaṃhitā refers to it by several examples. In one context Bṛhatsaṃhitā makes comparison between the blooming trees of the river land and the lady wearing Uttamsaka. In another place, Uttaṃsaka of Bāṇa flowers worn by the lions of the Vindhya forest is described^[4].

Bāṇa refers to Hemapaṭṭa in Harṣacarita. There the head dress of Mahādevī is called as Paṭṭabandha^[5]. Gold imitations made after flowers were joined together to make a Paṭṭa, which is known as Puṣpapaṭṭa. Puṣpapaṭṭa is worn by deities, queens, princes as well as army chief.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

JORI, p.438

[2]:

ASHAA, p.221

[3]:

XLVIII

[4]:

XII.6, LV.7

[5]:

Vth Ucchvāsa