From the Land of the Rajas:

Creativity in Rajasthan

Like all clothing, garments in Rajasthan vary according to age, gender, wealth, ethnic and caste affiliation, religion, region, function, and personal style.  The basic woman’s outfit in Rajasthan is not the sari of uncut, draped cloth — common in the rest of India — but a distinctive set consisting of a large and full skirt (ghaghra), worn with a short, sleeved blouse (kanchli or choli), often covered by a sleeveless vest (kurti), and a large veil or head covering (odhna).

There is an elaborate color symbolism to Rajasthani textiles.  For example, brown, grey, blue, and green are considered sad and therefore worn by widows, while parrot-green, sky-blue, pink, red, yellow, and saffron are considered happy colors, to be worn by young girls and married women.  Colors have always been associated with different seasons, ceremonies, and emotions.  Red is the color of lovers — the wedding sari, ghaghra skirt and odhna headscarf are always red.  Yellow is the color of spring, blossoms, and happiness, while saffron is associated with ascetics who have renounced the world.