Save No piece of Indian jewellery frames the face quite like a maang tikka. Resting at the centre of the forehead, right where the hair parts, it draws every eye to the bride and makes even a simple outfit feel festive. The maang tikka is no longer only for weddings: small tikkas are now worn at haldi, mehendi, Navratri, Diwali parties and even with open hair. In this guide, the team at Keyura Jewellery in Dehradun explains what a maang tikka is, the different types from borla to matha patti, how to choose one for your face shape, and how to wear it so it stays in place all day.
Maang tikka meaning and significance
In Hindi, maang is the parting of the hair and tikka is an ornament placed on the forehead, so the name simply means "the ornament of the parting". It is one of the solah shringar, the sixteen adornments of a Hindu bride. Traditionally the tikka rests on the point between the eyebrows that is associated with the ajna (third eye) chakra, and many families see it as a symbol of the union of the bride and groom.
Today the maang tikka is worn across India and the world by brides of every community, and it is just as popular with bridesmaids, guests and dancers.
Earrings frame the face from the sides. A maang tikka frames it from the centre.
Types of maang tikka
- Classic maang tikka: a single pendant on a chain along the parting.
- Borla (or rakhdi) tikka: a round, dome-shaped tikka from Rajasthan, worn high on the parting.
- Chand or chandbali tikka: a crescent-moon pendant, one of the most loved bridal shapes.
- Matha patti: a maang tikka with chains that run across the forehead and along the hairline on both sides.
- Tikka with passa or jhoomar: a tikka worn with a fan-shaped side ornament on one side of the head, a Mughal and Muslim bridal tradition now loved by every bride.
- Mini tikka: a small, light tikka for haldi, mehendi, festivals and everyday ethnic wear.
20 maang tikka designs to know
Here are 20 maang tikka designs from the Keyura Jewellery collection. Everything below was in stock at the time of writing.
Small and simple maang tikkas
Small tikkas are perfect for haldi, mehendi, pujas, college fests and anyone wearing a tikka for the first time.
1. The gold flower tikka with pearl drop. A small flower and one pearl. Light, pretty and easy to wear.
2. The gold star tikka with pearl drop. A modern little star, lovely with open hair.
3. The small borla tikka with ruby and kundan. A mini version of the Rajasthani borla.
4. The borla tikka with ruby centre and pearl border. Round, regal and still lightweight.
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Chand and chandbali maang tikkas
5. The chand tikka with meenakari and ruby. A crescent moon with painted enamel. A bridal favourite.
6. The chandbali tikka with kundan and meenakari. A fuller chandbali shape for the big day.
7. The oxidised chandbali tikka with lotus filigree. A crescent with a ghungroo fringe in oxidised silver tone, made for navratri and garba.
8. The German silver chand bali tikka. Bells and beads on a silver-tone crescent.
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Meenakari and heritage maang tikkas
9. The heritage tikka with ghungroo drops. Tiny bells under a painted panel.
10. The heritage tikka with blue meenakari. A pop of blue that suits pastel and yellow outfits.
11. The heritage tikka with a rectangular meena panel. A bolder geometric shape.
12. The heritage tikka with a round meena centre. Classic and versatile.
13. The heritage tikka with a peacock meena centre. India's favourite motif in enamel.
14. The meenakari triangle tikka with ghungroo fringe. A triangle pendant with a bell chain.
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Antique and statement maang tikkas
15. The antique kundan tikka with crystal fringe. A rich antique gold finish for a red or maroon lehenga.
16. The antique paisley tikka with pearl fringe. The paisley (kairi) motif with a soft pearl edge.
17. The antique arch tikka with pearl drops. An arch shape that frames the forehead.
18. The oxidised mandala disc tikka. A silver-tone disc on a fine chain, lovely with cotton sarees and Indo-western looks.
19. The gold-tone tikka with pearl drop pendant. A grander statement piece for the bride.
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Bridal sets with maang tikka
20. The complete bridal set. If you are dressing for your own wedding, a set with a matching necklace, earrings and maang tikka (and often a nath) is the easiest way to get a perfect match. Some sets also include a jhoomar passa for the side of the head.
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Which maang tikka suits your face shape?
| Face shape | Best maang tikka | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Long chain with a slim or teardrop pendant | Adds length to the face |
| Oval | Almost any tikka, including large chandbali and borla | Balanced proportions carry any size |
| Long | Shorter chain with a wide pendant, or a matha patti | Adds width across the forehead |
| Square | Round or crescent shapes with soft fringes | Curves soften a strong jaw |
| Heart | A small, delicate tikka | Does not add weight to a wider forehead |
How to wear a maang tikka (step by step)
- Make a clean centre parting. The tikka should follow the parting in a straight line.
- Decide where the pendant should sit. For brides, just above the eyebrows; for a lighter look, a little higher.
- Hook the end of the chain into the hair at the crown or into the bun, then slide a bobby pin through the chain to lock it in place.
- Pin the pendant at the forehead with a small U-pin or a piece of skin-safe tape behind it so it does not swing.
- Add the dupatta last, placing it so it frames the tikka rather than covering it.
Maang tikka with open hair
Yes, you can wear a maang tikka with open hair. Make a centre or slightly side parting, hook the chain into a small hidden braid or clip at the crown, and choose a light tikka. Soft curls or waves look beautiful with it.
Chandbali Maang Tikka with Kundan and Meenakari
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Maang tikka price guide
At Keyura Jewellery, small maang tikkas start at ₹139, oxidised and German silver tikkas are ₹149, meenakari and chandbali tikkas are around ₹179 to ₹189, antique tikkas are around ₹279 to ₹309, and statement bridal tikkas start at around ₹952. Complete bridal sets with a maang tikka start at ₹1,180.
How to care for your maang tikka
- Apply hairspray and perfume before putting on the tikka, not after.
- Remove it before washing your face or hair.
- Wipe it gently with a soft dry cloth after wearing.
- Store it flat in its own pouch so the chain and fringe do not tangle.
Why buy a maang tikka from Keyura Jewellery?
Keyura Jewellery is a jewellery house based in Dehradun, in the Devbhoomi of Uttarakhand. For years we supplied jewellery to retailers across India, and today we bring the same pieces directly to you at factory rates.
- Tikkas for every occasion, from ₹139 everyday pieces to complete bridal sets.
- A registered business you can verify: GST invoice with every order, and a verified seller on Amazon and Flipkart.
- Fast dispatch: orders placed before 4 PM IST leave the same day, Monday to Saturday, and reach most of India in 2 to 5 working days.
- Worldwide delivery: tracked shipping abroad, typically 5 to 12 working days, with prices shown in your currency.
Complete the look with kundan earrings, a classic jhumka, a hathphool and a payal. For a high-occasion statement, explore Keyura Luxe, and for divine shringar, visit Shubbushrii.
