_Last updated: 25 June 2026_
A nath is a traditional Indian nose ring worn by brides and women as a mark of grace and celebration. Its styles vary by region, from the pearl-laden Maharashtrian nath to the large, chain-linked Marwari nath. A nath can be worn pierced or non-pierced, and Nuyug offers a few lightweight clip and pressing styles from around ₹1,499 for anyone who does not want a piercing.
What is a nath?
Nose rings are a traditional Indian adornment known as naths, usually worn as bridal jewellery and placed in the left nostril; they may be non-pierced (designed to be clamped on) or pierced (through a hole). Naths (also spelled nathni and naath) can refer to any type of decorative nose ring from a small stud to a large-chain-linked hoop with a draping effect on your cheek.
More than decorative, the nath has much cultural significance; it is attached to weddings and festivals as an expression by women that they are appropriately dressed for the occasion; also in many cultures, it completes the "suhaag" or married woman look. Many regional varieties exist in different shapes, and it is also used in classical dance and festive dress.
What are the types of nath?
The design of the Nath varies greatly by region across India. Factors such as material, construction, size and shape all change from one region to another. Five different styles, detailed below, are most recognised across all of India and are identified with each area's culture as the "Bridal Nath."
Maharashtrian nath (Nathni)
The Maharashtrian nath, or Nathni, is a curved or crescent-shaped ornament set with pearls alongside stones like rubies and emeralds. There is also a wonderful collection of large Peshwa-style or Peshvari Nath styles that are typically worn at an angle over the cheeks, thus making them among the most photographed types of bridal nath headdresses.
Maharashtra brides use this ornament as their common accessory and it is commonly worn by individuals for any festival throughout the year including Gudi Padwa and Ganesh Chaturthi. The elongated design combined with the embellishments of pearls and semi-precious stones create a unique regional identity to this piece of jewellery.
Marwari / Rajasthani nath
The Marwari or Rajasthani nath is a large and elaborate nose ring, made using silver and usually decorated using three different methods of decoration i.e.: Kundan, Meenakari & Stonework. The nath typically has a very large ring that connects to a chain that then connects to the hair close to the ear, thus allowing the weight of the nath to be distributed properly.
There are many variations of this nath, such as the Nathni, Laung and Latkan. Films showing Rajput royalty have driven a revival of these naths, now worn by brides who want a striking, jewel-heavy statement piece.
Punjabi nath
The Punjabi nath is an extravagant, enormous hoop that can sometimes be large enough to frame much of the cheek. Like the Rajasthani version, it typically hangs down from an ear or hair chain, which makes it comfortable for the bride to wear at its size.
Both as bridal jewellery and as a mark of community history, it has a natural fit with the heavily embellished Punjabi wedding outfits it accompanies.
Bengali nath (Nolok / Nathni)
A Bengali nath is usually a simple large gold hoop. It shows understated minimalist style instead of being heavily stone-filled. The nolok is an ornament that hangs from the centre of the nose and goes down toward the upper lip.
It is regarded as vital to achieving the traditional Bengali wedding appearance, worn with the traditional red-and-white outfit along with the gold jewellery.
South Indian nath (Mukkuthi / Besari)
A typical South Indian nath is a small, neat stud also referred to as a mukkuthi or besari, frequently set with diamonds to be worn in either nostril; for brides, more elaborately designed nath may be worn, but on an everyday basis, the ordinary type of clip will be the most commonly used.
Its understated form makes it an easy style of nose ornament to pair with almost any jewellery or saree, unlike the heavier hoops of its northern counterparts.
Can you wear a nath without a piercing?
It is possible to wear a nath with no piercings, as there are also non-pierced options that attach to your nose by using grips or pressure and do not pass through your nose. Therefore these options will allow you achieve a complete bridal appearance without having to get a permanent piercing.
There are two general types of nose ornaments available today. The first type can be attached using a clip-on or pin mechanism. This type holds the ornament firmly against a soft part of the nostril by tightening down on one of the two components with a screw or spring. The second type uses a chain to support the ornament, which consists of a large ring that rests on the tip of your nose and a fine chain (also known as a sahara) that loops into your hair close to your earlobe, distributing the weight of the ornament for stability and balance during extended periods of wear.
How do you wear and secure a nath?
Position the nath on the left-side nostril (or against your nostril for non-pierced styles), and attach the nath to your nostril before securing it with a support chain. Follow the steps below to keep the nath comfortable and secure throughout the day.
- Use a little moisturiser around the nose to keep the ornament from tugging when fitted and to help it slide into position smoothly.
- To put on a pressing or clip style, place it onto the soft side of the nose and gradually tighten the screw or spring until it is secure but not too tight.
- Rest a chain-link nath in position, then hook the cheek chain or sahara into your hair above the ear to even out weight on both sides.
- Tuck and pin the chain neatly into the hairstyle so it does not slip or pull during movement.
- Check in the mirror that the nath curves towards your cheek and its chain line sits level with the other side.
Which nath suits which face shape and occasion?
Select a nath based on your face shape and the level of formality of the event. Larger rings should be chosen for more formal occasions, whereas smaller rings can be used for less formal occasions. A large chain-ring increases visual width and adds to the overall effect of the nath, while a small stud or chain-ring looks more sophisticated.
| Face shape / occasion | Suggested nath |
|---|---|
| Long or oval face | Large Rajasthani or Punjabi hoop for added width and balance |
| Round face | Curved Maharashtrian style to add length and structure |
| Small or petite features | Delicate Bengali hoop or South Indian stud |
| Grand wedding ceremony | Heavy chain-linked nath with kundan or pearls |
| Engagement or reception | Medium, lighter ring that reads elegant in photos |
| Festive or small function | Small clip-on or pressing nath for an effortless touch |
How do you choose nath size and weight?
Select a nath according to your comfort, as it may be worn for many hours during a long-day wedding. A more lightweight and chain-supported design will relieve pressure off the nostrils, whereas a heavy and bulky ring without a piercing will add pressure on your nose.
Brides face a practical trade-off here: scale versus endurance. Choose the size you can comfortably wear through the whole ceremony rather than simply the largest one available. Lightweight, well-made settings sit flat and photograph cleanly, which is why many modern brides now pick comfort over a heavier, bulkier ring. And if you are currently unpierced, a non-pierced version from around ₹1,499 lets you test how a nath looks before committing to anything permanent.
Nuyug’s small nath range reflects its comfort-first philosophy, featuring lightweight, gold-plated designs with American diamonds, an ultra-hypoallergenic anti-tarnish finish, and a one-year guarantee. They are intended for celebrating. You can see Nuyug’s small nath range here, as well as its other bridal jewellery and head accessories (and full range).
Curated Picks
A few Nuyug naths and nose rings, pierced and pressing styles:
