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Mehndi – An Indian Bride is incomplete without Mehndi !

Friday, January 8, 2010


Mehndi is an ancient traditional form of hand and feet decoration. It creates a deep crimson color that shines on the skin. Mehndi is closely connected to the tradition and culture of India. Mehndi is the application of Heena for the decoration of hand and feet mainly in south east Asia. It's safe and painless since it does not require the skin to be pierced. It's completely natural and non-toxic. Mehndi is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. It was believed that applying Mehndi to the hands and feet would keep off evil. Mehndi is particularly important during ceremonial occasions like weddings. A special day is allotted in a traditional Indian marriage for the application of henna on the bride, as well as family members and friends. Mehndi is one of the sixteen adornments bestowed on a bride during Solah Shringar.

The henna plant is common in India and is used in rural areas as a hedge. Rural women may pick fresh mehndi leaves and prepare them for the application. However it is also sold in powder form. The plant is prepared and made into a paste. Lemon juice is added to the paste to intensify its red color. Various shades of Henna are procured by mixing its paste with the leaves and fruit of other plants, such as indigo, tea, coffee, cloves and lemon. The finished paste is placed into a cone. During the process of laying out the design, the cone does not touch the skin, but rather, the henna is laid out onto the skin like a thread. The flow of the henna must be controlled in order to produce an even line. The thickness of this line determines the amount of die from the henna that penetrates the skin. After the henna design is laid out on the skin, a mixture of lemon and sugar is dabbed over the design to set it. The longer the design is left undisturbed, the deeper the color will be. Later the henna is removed by rubbing the hands together, revealing a reddish color where the henna touched the skin.

Now Mehndi is becoming popular in west also. Many Hollywood celebrities have been seen with decoration of Mehndi on their hands and feet.

6 comments:

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR THE HISTORIC INDIAN CORAL ISLANDS said...

Great to see you illustrating the ancient Indian art of Henna so very nicely for all to devour, dear Meghana!

And thanks for visiting my blog and posting your valuable comment, indeed! It's the truly keen readers like you whom I've been writing my heart out for. It's all for you, dear Meghana! Plz, do post all your questions and comments and I'd love to respond to all.

And thanks a lot for following the blog, too! Cheers to you! :)


SHRINATH VASHISHTHA
Port Blair.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands (India).

Anu said...

First time in your blog, and its just stunning!! You give intricate information about Hinduism.
@ Mehndi post - In wedding ceremony, if the mehndhi turns out dark, it's a belief that groom loves the bride more than she does :)

Anu said...

First time in your blog. Your intricate information about Hinduism and Indian Mythology is just stunning!!
@ Mehndi post - During wedding ceremonies, if the mehndi gets a dark color, it's a beliff that the groom loves the bride more than she does :)

Meghana said...

Thanks Vaish!

Unknown said...

Beautiful mehndi song.I like it .Thanks.

Unknown said...

I like yours mehndi desgine of hand.it is a gorgeous..Thanks.