From temple visits to wedding mandaps — Kerala hairstyles are a timeless art form rooted in grace, tradition, and feminine pride
The Kerala Woman & Her Hair
Kerala women are celebrated across India for their long, thick, lustrous hair — nourished by generations of coconut oil traditions and an intimate relationship with nature. But it is not just the hair itself that is beautiful — it is the way it is adorned. Traditional Kerala hairstyles are inseparable from the culture, religion, and festive life of the state.
Whether you are dressing for Onam, a wedding, a temple visit, a classical dance performance, or simply honouring your roots on any day — here is your complete guide to traditional Kerala hairstyles.
1. The Kunjalam Braid — Kerala's Signature Hair Look
If there is one hairstyle that is entirely and unmistakably Kerala, it is the Kunjalam braid. A long, sleek, well-oiled single braid with a silk thread Kunjalam tassel attached at the tip. This hairstyle is worn at every important occasion in a Kerala woman's life — her wedding, her baby shower, temple festivals, Onam, and Bharatanatyam performances.
How to achieve it:
- Apply coconut oil generously the night before
- Comb hair smooth and create a neat centre or side parting
- Braid tightly from the nape of the neck downward
- Attach a Kunjalam at the braid tip
- Pin fresh mogra or jasmine gajra along the upper braid
Best for: Onam, weddings, temple visits, Bharatanatyam performances, Golu celebrations
👉 Kudamulla - Kunjalam — soft, handcrafted silk tassel; the most elegant finishing touch for your Kerala braid
👉 Kathakali - Kunjalam — vibrant and festive; ideal for Onam and classical dance styling
2. The Jasmine Gajra Braid
One of the most fragrant and beautiful hairstyles in all of South India — the Jasmine Gajra Braid is a thick plait adorned entirely with strings of fresh white mogra (jasmine) flowers. In Kerala, this is the classic temple and festival hairstyle. The white flowers against dark hair, finished with a Kunjalam at the tip, is a sight of pure beauty.
How to achieve it:
- Start with a clean, well-oiled braid
- Wind mogra gajra strings around the braid from base to mid-length
- Finish with a Kunjalam at the tip
- Pin loose flowers near the crown for a full, blooming effect
Best for: Temple visits, Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, weddings
👉 Shop Kudamulla - Kunjalam to complete your jasmine braid
3. The Kerala Bridal Braid
The Kerala bridal hairstyle is one of the most elaborate and breathtaking hair looks in all of Indian bridal fashion. It is a long, thick braid — often extended with hair extensions if needed — adorned with:
- Fresh jasmine and champak flowers woven throughout
- Gold hair pins and decorative braid clips
- A jewelled or gold-tone Kunjalam at the tip
- A maang tikka at the crown parting
- Sometimes a gold Jadai ornament along the length
The result is a cascade of flowers, gold, and silk that is utterly unforgettable.
Best for: Wedding day, engagement ceremony, bridal photoshoots
👉 Kathakali - Kunjalam — a statement bridal Kunjalam for your most important day
4. The Low Jasmine Bun (Ambada)
The low jasmine bun — locally called ambada or kondai — is a classic Kerala updo. Hair is neatly coiled into a low bun at the nape of the neck and decorated with a full circle or half-moon of fresh jasmine or marigold flowers. It is elegant, modest, and deeply traditional.
How to achieve it:
- Gather all hair at the nape
- Twist and coil into a firm bun, securing with pins
- Arrange fresh flowers in a complete circle around the bun
- Add a single gold hair pin at the centre for a finishing touch
Best for: Temple visits, daily traditional wear, older women's festive styling, classical concerts
5. The Bharatanatyam Braid
Classical Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam dancers from Kerala have their own iconic braid styling — a sleek, tightly oiled braid swept to the left side, adorned with a Kunjalam, gold hair ornaments, and a large floral arrangement at the crown. The movement of the Kunjalam tassel during performance is as much a part of the dance as the mudras.
Key elements:
- Tight, sleek side braid (usually left side)
- Kunjalam at the tip
- Decorative gold Jadai pins along the braid
- Large floral arrangement (champa, jasmine, marigold) at the crown
- Maang tikka at the centre parting
👉 Kudamulla - Kunjalam | Kathakali - Kunjalam
6. The Onam Special: Floral Braid with Kunjalam
Onam calls for the most beautiful version of the Kerala braid — a thick plait woven with fresh flowers (pookalam flowers: marigold, chrysanthemum, or mogra) and finished with a vibrant Kunjalam. This hairstyle mirrors the spirit of the festival — colourful, joyful, and abundant.
Colour tip: Match your Kunjalam to your kasavu saree's blouse colour or jewellery for a perfectly coordinated Onam look.
👉 Jamanthi - Hair Accessory — warm, festive tones perfect for Onam styling
👉 Sunset Blend - Hair Accessory — rich hues that capture the golden warmth of Onam
7. The Modern Kerala Look: Side Braid with Silk Accessory
For the contemporary Kerala woman who loves her roots but lives in the present — a side-swept braid with a silk thread hair accessory is the perfect modern Kerala hairstyle. Neat, elegant, and easy to style, it pairs beautifully with both a kasavu saree and a fusion outfit.
👉 Jamanthi - Hair Accessory | Sunset Blend - Hair Accessory
Kerala Hair Care Secrets Behind Those Beautiful Braids
The secret to Kerala's legendary thick, long hair is not just genetics — it is a dedicated hair care tradition passed down through generations:
- Coconut oil massages — applied warm from root to tip, at least twice a week. This is the cornerstone of Kerala hair care.
- Brahmi and amla oil — for hair growth and strength; traditional Ayurvedic herbs deeply embedded in Kerala's wellness culture
- Rice water rinse — a traditional beauty ritual; the starchy water left after washing rice is used to rinse hair for shine and strength
- Shikakai and reetha — natural hair cleansers used as an alternative to shampoo; gentle, nourishing, and deeply traditional
- Avoiding heat styling — Kerala women have long preferred air-drying and natural styling over heat tools, preserving hair health for decades
Kerala Hairstyle by Occasion: Quick Guide
- Onam: Floral Kunjalam braid with mogra gajra and kasavu saree
- Wedding (bride): Kerala bridal braid with jewelled Kunjalam, gold ornaments and flowers
- Wedding (guest): Low jasmine bun or side Kunjalam braid
- Temple visit: Simple Kunjalam braid or jasmine gajra braid
- Classical dance: Tight side braid with Kunjalam and gold Jadai ornaments
- Everyday traditional: Simple low bun or loose braid with a Kunjalam
- Modern / fusion: Side braid with silk thread hair accessory
Shop Kerala Hair Accessories at KANAV STORE
At KANAV STORE, our hair accessory collection is designed with South Indian women at heart. Each Kunjalam and silk thread hair accessory is handcrafted with premium materials, rooted in tradition, and made for the modern Kerala woman.
👉 Kudamulla - Kunjalam | Kathakali - Kunjalam | Jamanthi - Hair Accessory | Sunset Blend - Hair Accessory
Final Thought
A Kerala hairstyle is never just about hair. It is about carrying the fragrance of mogra wherever you go, about honouring the women who came before you, about moving through the world with the quiet, unshakeable grace that Kerala women are known for.
Braid it. Adorn it. Own it. That is the Kerala way.