The maang tikka gets all the attention, but its most glamorous companion sits just to the side. The jhoomar — also called the passa or jhumar — is the ornament that hangs from the left of the head, a fan or chandelier of pearls and stones that sways with every turn. It carries a Mughal, almost Nawabi romance, and it's having a quiet revival among brides and festive dressers who want something less expected than the centre-parting tikka. Here's what it is, how it differs from its cousins, and how to wear it well.
What Is a Jhoomar?
Jhoomar comes from jhoomna — to sway — and that's exactly what it does. Traditionally fan- or chandelier-shaped, it pins into the hair above the left temple and cascades a small spray of pearls, kundan, or polki that trembles as you move. It arrived with Mughal court dress and became a signature of Hyderabadi and Lucknawi bridal jewellery, worn alongside — not instead of — the maang tikka. Where the tikka marks the centre parting, the jhoomar decorates the side, giving the whole headpiece composition a sense of balance and drama.
Jhoomar vs Passa vs Maang Tikka
The names get used interchangeably, but there are shades of difference. Passa and jhoomar both refer to the side headpiece — passa is the more common term in North Indian and Pakistani bridal tradition, jhoomar in the Deccan — and the two are essentially the same ornament. The maang tikka is different: it sits on the centre parting with a pendant on the forehead. The most opulent brides wear both together, a tikka down the middle and a jhoomar swaying at the side. Think of the jhoomar as the maang tikka's glamorous, asymmetric partner rather than a replacement for it.
Which Outfits and Necklines It Suits
A jhoomar is a statement, so it wants an outfit that gives it room. It looks most at home with festive and bridal silhouettes that have a sense of occasion — a flowing anarkali, a rich sharara, a lehenga. The Noor anarkali in ivory, with its Mukesh floral work and open v-neckline, is a lovely canvas: the uncluttered neckline and pale base let a jhoomar's sway read clearly. A one-shoulder or asymmetric neckline, like the Mastani sharara set with its single-shoulder emerald cape, plays beautifully against a side headpiece — the asymmetry of the outfit echoes the asymmetry of the jewel.
How to Wear and Style It
- Pin it securely — anchor the jhoomar into a firm section of hair above the left temple, using bobby pins hidden under the chain.
- Choose your hairstyle first — a sleek low bun, a side-swept style, or a soft braid gives the piece a stable base and lets it sway freely.
- Balance the tikka — if you wear both, keep the maang tikka and jhoomar in the same metal and stone family so they read as one set.
- Match the metal to the outfit — kundan and gold for warm, festive palettes; pearl and silver-toned pieces for ivory and moonlit looks.
- Let it be the hero — a jhoomar draws the eye upward, so keep earrings a touch more restrained so they don't compete.
When to Wear a Jhoomar
A jhoomar belongs to the big moments — a bride's nikah or sangeet, a close family member's wedding, a grand festive evening. Its Mughal romance suits richly embroidered pieces best; against a purple Zehan sharara with its gota-appliqué trellis, or any jewel-toned festive silhouette, it completes the picture with old-world drama. For everyday festive wear it can be too much — save it for the outfits and occasions that can carry its sway.
Outfits Worthy of a Side Headpiece
Each of our anarkalis and sharara sets is hand-embroidered in Jaipur and cut to your measurements over 4–5 weeks — the kind of canvas a jhoomar deserves. Explore our anarkalis and sharara sets.
Shop Festive & Bridal WearFrequently Asked Questions
What is a jhoomar or passa?
A jhoomar — also called a passa or jhumar — is a fan- or chandelier-shaped side headpiece worn above the left temple, cascading a spray of pearls, kundan, or polki that sways as you move. It comes from Mughal court dress and is a signature of Hyderabadi and Lucknawi bridal jewellery, worn alongside the maang tikka.
What is the difference between a jhoomar and a maang tikka?
A maang tikka sits on the centre parting with a pendant resting on the forehead, while a jhoomar (passa) hangs to the side, above the left temple. They are worn together for the most opulent bridal look — the tikka down the middle and the jhoomar swaying at the side — and should be matched in metal and stone.
Which outfits suit a jhoomar best?
A jhoomar suits festive and bridal silhouettes with a sense of occasion — flowing anarkalis, rich sharara sets, and lehengas. Open or asymmetric necklines, like a one-shoulder cape, work especially well, and a clean, pale base lets the headpiece's sway read clearly. It's a statement piece best saved for grand occasions.
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