The term Mangala in Hindu religion means auspicious, lucky
or a good omen. It also means good fortune in Hinduism.
Ashtamangala (eight auspicious symbols) are common in
Hinduism. These symbols originated from early Hindu symbols of royalty, which
were presented at the time of the coronation of a Hindu king.
The ashtamangala are parasol, a pair of golden fish, great
treasure vase, lotus, right turning conch, srivatsa (endless knot), banner of
victory and wheel of dharma.
Mangala Gauri is Shakti or Mother Goddess. She is the
goddess of benevolence. We find numerous temples built for her, but the oldest
is one at Gaya, Bihar, which finds mentions in Padma, Vayu and Agni Puranas.
The traditional view holds that all women by their very
nature are Mangala.
At the top is the married woman, whose husband is alive and
who has given birth to several children. She is called an auspicious woman,
sumangali.
In ritual terms, however, the devadasi (temple dancer)
exceeds even the sumangali in being auspicious.
Two reasons for this are: first, her individual female
powers are merged with those of the goddess; second, she is dedicated to a
divine husband who can never die. Since she can never lose her auspiciousness,
she is called nityasumangali (ever auspicious).
The devadasi performed dances to establish the auspicious
and ward off the amangala and kudrishti (inauspiciousness).
Tilaka, sindura and mangalsutra are also considered auspicious.
The playing of nadaswaram is considered auspicious and hence
referred to as mangala isai in Tamil.