Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil

Temple jewellery of Nagercoil is an ornate style of gold-plated ornament crafted in Nagercoil in Kanniyakumari district, originally made to adorn temple deities and later worn by Bharatanatyam dancers. Set with red, green and white stones and shaped into motifs of Lakshmi, peacocks, swans, mangoes and temple gopurams, the pieces include the netti chutti, elaborate necklaces, waist belts and long haaram associated with classical dance costume. Artisans build each ornament by fixing coloured stones into cast metal frames and finishing them with gold plating, a skill handed down through the region's goldsmith families. The town became a noted centre for this craft because of its cluster of skilled jewellers serving the many temples of the far south. Valued for its regal look and ritual importance, Nagercoil temple jewellery adorns brides, dancers and idols and sustains a community of dedicated craftsmen.