Dejihor is a traditional ear ornament worn by the Hindu women belonging to
Jammu and Kashmir. This ornament, which is of great religious significance, is a symbol of unity. It is worn by the bride, during her wedding, marking the unity between two families and the unity between her and her groom.
The word ‘Dejihor’ consists of two parts; ‘deji’ meaning hanging object and ‘hor‘meaning pair. This ornament contains three parts; the ‘dejihor,’ which is oval in shape, a chain called ‘ath’ and ‘at-e-hor,’ which is situated below the ‘dejihor’.
The ornament is worn with only the ‘dejihor’ part during Devgon, the ritual performed a day before the wedding. ‘Ath’ and ‘at-e-hor’ are later attached when the bride reaches her husband’s home after marriage. This later attachment of the parts signifies the actual unification of the husband and the wife.
The ‘dejihor’ part is similar to the ‘shriyamtram’, symbolic to the oneness of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This ornament is worshipped by the women, considering it equivalent to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti (motherly form of Goddess Parvati).
