| Mehndi holds a lot of cultural significance in Indian | | | | is. The bride is traditionally not allowed to work in her |
| traditions. Be it weddings, Karva Chauth or other | | | | husband’s home until her mehndi’s color fades |
| occasions, mehndi plays an important role in all the | | | | away completely. |
| ceremonies and festivals of India. In today’s era of | | | | Mehndi is applied on all the important occasions, |
| modernization, the new styles and designs of mehndi | | | | festivals and vrats(fasts) in Hindu culture. It is important |
| are coming up, adding glamour and fun to it. | | | | in festivals such as Karwa Chauth, Rakhi, Diwali etc. It |
| Weddings being the most important day in one’s | | | | is also considered as a shagun mostly denoted by the |
| life, mehndi has become an ornament for the soon to | | | | pattern of large dot in the centre of the hand with four |
| be brides. There is, in fact, one whole ceremony | | | | smaller dots at the sides. |
| dedicated to its celebration popularly known as | | | | In order to make this conventional trend of henna |
| ‘Mehndi Ceremony’ or ‘Mehndi Ki Raat’. | | | | application more exciting, fashionable and fun filled, |
| Besides this, the phrase ‘Haath Peele Karna’ as | | | | there is a vast variety of mehndi designs available |
| often heard from elders of the family is a rasam of | | | | today. Arabic Mehndi, Rajasthani Mehndi, Crystal |
| mehndi directly synonymous to marriage. This | | | | Mehndi, Tattoo Mehndi, etc along with the traditional |
| significance maybe attributed to symbolic meaning of | | | | Indian Mehndi are among the most popular styles of |
| mehndi i.e. fertility. | | | | mehndi currently. Mehndi designs majorly consist of |
| Mehndi Ceremony is among the pre wedding rituals in | | | | floral patterns, religious symbols, etc. while adding |
| Indian weddings performed a day prior to the marriage. | | | | beauty and uniqueness to each design applied. |
| Just as Haldi ceremony symbolizes cleanliness, mehndi | | | | Henna or Mehndi is also known worldwide for its |
| signifies beautification. Mehndi-Ki-Raat is usually a | | | | medicinal properties. It was, in fact, used as a cosmetic |
| private affair with close relatives, friends and family | | | | in earlier times due to its therapeutic features. Mehndi is |
| members, celebrated amidst lot of dancing and | | | | widely adopted around the world as a conditioner and |
| feasting. This ritual is often combined with Sangeet | | | | dye for hair by both men and women. It is a natural |
| ceremony and so is primarily a women’s function. | | | | dye that renders a beautiful color on hair and creates |
| The atmosphere is imbued with dholak beats and | | | | a lustrous look. Also, mehndi is popular for its cooling |
| singing of traditional songs while mehndi is applied on | | | | effects, thus, used in hot climates in India and other |
| bride’s hands and legs by mehndi experts. The | | | | countries. It can also help in lowering body temperature |
| bride’s mehndi interweaves the name of her would | | | | and soothe headaches, fevers, burning feet and even |
| be husband and he is expected to find his name in the | | | | hysteria or a violent temper. It can increase the luster |
| pattern. The female relatives of the family also apply | | | | of nails, is effective in muscular rigidity and even in |
| mehndi on their palms to take part in the celebrations. | | | | Jaundice. |
| This ceremony is performed by families of both the | | | | Henna is in vogue these days with much |
| Indian bride and the Indian groom. | | | | experimentation happening on ways of its application. It |
| Even the color of mehndi is given high importance in | | | | is now prominently used, especially in the West, to |
| Indian culture as the darkness of the color signifies the | | | | make tattoos on different parts of the body. Tattoos |
| degree of husband’s and mother-in-law’s love. It | | | | are made on arms, wrists, around the navel, the |
| depicts love and affection between the couple as it is | | | | shoulder or the back. Henna is now being used for |
| believed that the longer it retains, the more auspicious it | | | | body art as well. |