traditionally, the bride would wear a "choora" for a full year, although if a newly wed bride became pregnant before her first anniversary, the "choora" was taken off. when the color started to fade, her in-laws would actually have it re-colored, so everyone would know that she had been married for less than a year. on an auspicious punjabi holiday, usually "sankranti", after the first anniversary her in-laws would hold a small intimate ceremony in which the "choora" was removed and glass "chooriyan" (bangles) were placed on both hands. this usually was accompanied with mithai (indian sweets) and a monetary shagun. the "choora" then was taken to a river and a prayer was said and it was left to float onto the water. afterwards the woman could wear other "choora" in any colour for as long as she liked.