The Cotton Pad for Supporting the Marriage Pot is a ritual object used in marriage ceremonies by the Lambadi tribe of Karnataka. This textile article serves both practical and symbolic purposes, providing support to the marriage pot carried on the head of the bride or the person escorting her during marriage festivities. The cotton pad is made from coiled dried grass, placed in a round shape, giving it strength for its intended use. A rectangular piece of cotton fabric is stitched on top, with colorful and intricate embroidered designs show-casing tribal craft-in-a-tradition so well-supported among the Lambadi.
Apart from the customary construction, the pad is decorated with six cotton balls, five red and one blue. Red stands for vigor, fertility, and auspiciousness, all of which are elements held sacred in tribal wedding customs, while blue represents something spiritual, perhaps protection. The pad is also adorned with two metal pieces and cowrie shells that bear cultural and ritualistic meanings. The cowrie shells are common in tribal cultures for usage in association with wealth, fertility, and good luck. The Lambadi enjoys known status in the vibrant expressions of their culture, including textiles, rituals, and ceremonies. This cotton pad, therefore, shows an ambiance of the tribe being bounded in its traditions and the importance given by them to ceremonial objects, marking such crucial happenings in life as marriage. The pad makes sure the bride is well supported while it protects the rich traditions of the tribe.