7 Interesting Choties (Chotis) – Traditional Indian Braided Hairstyles • Chick About Town

In Indian culture, choti (plural: choties or chotis) refers to braids or plaits—a common and traditional way of styling long hair.

It has been a staple hairstyle for centuries, worn by women, young girls, and even some men in specific cultural or religious contexts.

Types of Choties

Indian Braided Hairstyles #1: Single Choti (Ek Choti)

The most traditional style, where all the hair is gathered and braided into one long plait, often adorned with flowers, ribbons, or accessories.

This is commonly seen in weddings and festive occasions.

Double Choti (Do Choti) – Two braids, typically parted at the center, commonly worn by schoolgirls. This style is practical and helps keep hair neatly in place.
Parandi Choti – A Punjabi-style braid where a parandi (a decorative thread or tassel) is woven into the braid, adding color and style. This is popular in folk dances like Bhangra and Giddha.
Khajoor Choti (Date Braid) – A three-strand braid with a woven pattern resembling a date fruit, often worn by brides or during traditional events.
Nagini Choti (Snake Braid) – A long, tight braid that is designed to look sleek and smooth, resembling a snake’s movement.
French & Dutch Braids (Modern Choti Styles) – While traditional Indian chotis are simple, many women now incorporate French braids, Dutch braids, and fishtail braids into their hairstyles, blending Indian and Western influences.

Cultural & Religious Significance

In Hindu traditions, long, well-maintained hair is considered a sign of beauty and femininity. Married women often braid their hair with mogra (jasmine flowers) or gold accessories.
In South Indian temples, women offer their long braids in devotion (hair tonsuring) as a religious sacrifice.
In Sikhism, men and women both keep their hair long as part of their faith. Sikh women sometimes braid their hair before tying it into a bun.

Modern Influence & Trends

While chotis remain popular in schools and rural areas, urban women often prefer ponytails, buns, or open hair for convenience.

However, braided hairstyles are still widely used for festivals, weddings, and dance performances.

Hairstyles Choti: French Choti Style/Franch Choti/Sagar Choti Hair Style/Frech Choti/Sagar Braid

“French choti” typically refers to a braided hairstyle that combines elements of a French braid with a traditional choti, which is a long, often sleek braid common in South Asian hairstyles.

This style usually starts as a French braid at the crown and transitions into a simple or thick plait down the back. It’s popular for its elegant, structured look while keeping hair neatly secured.

Some variations may include a double French braid merging into a single choti or the addition of accessories like flowers or hair jewelry.

South Indian Hair Plaits Styles

Here’s a refined overview of South Indian hair plaits (known as jada, poola jada, kondai, etc.):

1. Poola Jada (Floral Braid)

A long single braid adorned generously with fresh flowers such as jasmine, roses, or marigolds.
Flowers symbolize purity, blessings, and prosperity—jasmine for harmony, marigolds for luck (vizagpellipoolajada.com).

2. Gold‑Embellished Jada (Temple Jada)

A braid decorated with gold or temple-inspired ornaments—tiny gold plates that mimic temple carvings (vizagpellipoolajada.com).
Symbolizes wealth, divinity, and cultural heritage; often worn by brides in traditional ceremonies .

3. Naga Jada (Snake‑Style Braid)

The braid is accessorized with snake-shaped jewelry (in gold or silver), representing power and protection (vizagpellipoolajada.com).

4. Kondai / Veni Bun

Hair is coiled into a bun (placed either at the crown or nape) and embellished with jewellery, pearls, or flowers (vizagpellipoolajada.com).
The circular bun reflects marital unity and life’s cycle .

5. Layered Floral Jada

A more elaborate version of Poola Jada: thicker braid, enhanced with strategically layered blooms (vizagpellipoolajada.com).

⏱ Cultural & Practical Notes

Bride styles can be intricate—Poola Jada or temple braids may take 2–3 hours to create, while simpler Kondai buns take 30–45 minutes (vizagpellipoolajada.com).
Hair extensions (synthetic jada pieces) are commonly used to add length and fullness (vizagpellipoolajada.com).

🌿 Symbolism behind the Styles

Jasmine garlands (Gajra) in hair signify beauty, celebration, and act as natural aromatics; gajra usage is described in cultural sources (en.wikipedia.org).
Brahmin temples emphasize giving thanks by decorating with flowers and temple-motif jewellery in hairstyling.

🔗 Modern Relevance & Influence

Beyond weddings, these braids appear in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi classical dance, where hair extensions and floral adornments are integral (vizagpellipoolajada.com, amazon.com).
They have regained popularity even beyond South India, embraced in global bridal and cultural fashion (youtube.com).

🖼 Visual Hallmarks (See images above)

Poola Jada: long braid draped with flower clusters.
Temple/Godha Jada: embellished with gold motifs.
Veni/Kondai Bun: solid bun wrapped with floral Gajra.

Soharten Style Hair

If you would like to know more about Soharten style hair, click here.

Loose Choti: Side Choti/Side Sagar Hairstyle

Front Sagar Hairstyle Tutorials & More

Hair Plait Styles #1: French Braid

choties: loose French choti on blonde hair — Hair plaiting styles: a side French braid

Photo Credits: StyleCraze

7 Interesting Choties (Chotis) – Traditional Indian Braided Hairstyles

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