In Rajasthan, as in other parts of India, bichiyas (India foot jewelry) are symbolic of the woman’s marital status. These are slipped on the woman’s toe at the time of marriage and continue to be worn, as long her husband is alive. In addition, they serve as acupressure rings. The big toe has a plain rounded ring at the base, known as an anguthia (toe ring). The other toes have flexible strips of metal open at one end, which are either curved or flat with small spherical balls attached. At times, the three central toes are adorned with a joined bichiya ankle bracelets,, which, sometimes, have figures like peacock or a fish, worked on it.
The ankles and feet, like all other parts of the body are extensively
decorated. A large variety of toe ring, usually known as angushtha are worn on the feet. One type, especially popular in Rajasthan, is made of the hemispherical forms joined with globular bells. There are also rings for the big toe and others, known as double toe rings that cover the entire toe. However, most people prefer the single toe rings. They come in variety of designs and the designs and the edges can even be hexagonal or octagonal. All these ornaments are worn at the same time and provide the advantages of decoration, musical accompaniment and acupressure while proclaiming the marital status a woman.
Throughout India anklets, worn in pairs, one on each ankle, are common, though not all function as marriage ornaments. Among the poorer people and especially among more isolated communities it is common to find anklets of base metals like white metal, copper, and copper alloys such as brass and bronze. However, in most places, anklets are made in silver. Anklets are of two basic types, i.e. the stiff and the flexible. The stiff anklets are either cast or fabricated by hammering sheet metal into the requisite shape. Using the techniques of chiseling, engraving, repousse, granulation or threading and wire work, anklets are patterned. The flexible variety employs close interlocking of separately made links tied together either by using variations of chain technique or by threading together of links. Known as jhanjhar or pajeb, the flexible variety is often further adorned with jingle bells. There is no better music to the ears of a lover than the jingling sound arising from the steps of the beloved. This has been a subject of innumerable poetic stanzas in Indian literature over several centuries.