Haryana is a State dominated by the Hindus. Nearly 90 per cent of its residents are Hindus. The rest 10 per cent comprise Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. The Socio-cultural ethos of this State has been defined by the Hindus, especially Jats. Besides, the Sikhs, Muslims and Jains have also contributed towards the creation of a unique multicultural society of the State.
Among the Hindus, we can find Brahmins, Jats, Rajputs, Gujars, Sainis, Kshatriyas, Ahirs, Khatris, Khatis, Rudis and Harijans. There are 36 gotras of Gaur brahmins in this State. Jats are in abundance in this State. Jats are in abundance in rural and semi-urban areas. The societal status of Jats, Gujars, Rajputs, Ahirs, Sunars and Sainis is the same. These people are engaged in agriculture, military service and the police force. Harijans live in most of rural areas, they are craftsmen and craftswomen. Among the Muslims, Pathans, Meos, Rangrej and blacksmith (lohar) castes thrive in the. State.
The common castes of Hindus in the State are-Sharma, Chaudhary, Mallik, Kadyan, Saini, Arora, Verma, Malhotra, Bhadana, Sood, Suri, Singh, Bathla, Jangda, Dahiya, Gaur, Saraswat, etc. This list is not exhaustive.
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The males living in the State wear the following clothes, accessories and ornaments:
Cloth used to cover waist and legs Cloth used to cover the torso, just like shirt, mostly white, rounded arms collared shirt Turban.
Turban in military style Marwari Turban Rajputi turban.
Half-sleeve shirt up to waist, used by elders Embroidered long flowing kurta A hand-woven sheet of thick double cotton yarn; worn in winter A thick sheet of thick cotton yarn, worn in winter A cap like the Gandhi cap A blanket made by filling cotton; used in winter, also called mirjai Loi, a blanket-type warm cloth State wear the following clothes, accessories
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Ghaghra, worn to cover waist and legs A ghaghra of red or black cotton cloth A ghaghra made by creating designs in yellow colour on the cloth of blue colour A ghaghra made by dying a coarse cotton sheet by the bandhai technique A ghaghra made with red patches on blue coarse cotton cloth Coarse cotton cloth (khaddar) made by using four red and four blue threads, made without kalis A ghaghra made from khaddar cloth having imprints of the dooj moon and star.
The following items of jewellery are used to decorate the throat:
1. Hansla (of gold/silver)
2. Hansuli (of gold/silver)
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3. Mohanmala (of gold)
4. Galshree (of gold)
5. Kanthi (of gold)
6. Zanjira (of gold/silver)
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7. Gulubandh (of gold)
8. Jhalra (of guineas or silver coins)
9. Button (of gold or silver)
10. Necklace (of silver)
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11. Garland (of gold)
The following items of jewellary are worn on the head or mouth :
1. Phool: It is worn over head. It is made of gold or silver.
2. Singaar Patti: It is worn over head. It is made of gold or silver.
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3. Bessar: It is held on the forehead. It is made of gold.
4. Tagga: It is held on the forehead. It can be either of gold or of silver.
5. Borla: It is worn in the centre of forehead. It is made either of gold or silver. It has precious stones studded in it.
6. Tikka: It hangs from the forehead. It is made of gold.
7. Klaf: It is put in the hair. It is made of gold or silver.
8. Boojni: It is worn in the ears. It can be of gold or silver.
9. Dhedhas: These are meant to be worn in the ears. These are made of silver.
10. Karnaphool: These are worn in the ears. These can be of gold or silver.
11. Balis: These are worn in the ears. These can be made of silver or gold.
12. Danda: These are hung near the ears. These are made of silver.
13. Nanth: It is worn in the nose. It is made of gold.
14. Purli: It is worn in the nose. It is made of gold.
15. Kokka: It is made of gold and worn in the nose.
16. Chhaj: It hangs on the forehead. It is made of silver.
17. Long: It is worn in the nose. It is made of gold.
Other items of jewellary are as follows:
1. Gof: It is the neck jewellery of males.
2. Kathla: It is the neck ornament of males and is made of gold.
3. Murki: It is the ear ornament of males.
4. Zanjeera: It is the ear ornament of males.
5. Patri: It is the neck ornament of both males and females.
6. Tagadi: It is the waist ornament of ladies.
7. Nada: It is the ornament (made of silver) that is worn along with the string (nada) of the Ghaghra.
8. Pallu: It is an ornament made of silver. It is tied to the side of the odhna of the lady.