Hi Everyone,
When two people decide to unite their lives with marriage, there are a lot of hopes and dreams involved.
So are a lot of ceremonies and rituals.
Prior to the wedding vows, numerous ceremonies take place one after another, thus ushering the bride and groom into the joyous celebration of their holy union.
Each of these traditional rituals hold a great cultural significance and are celebrated pompously.
When two people decide to unite their lives with marriage, there are a lot of hopes and dreams involved.
So are a lot of ceremonies and rituals.
Prior to the wedding vows, numerous ceremonies take place one after another, thus ushering the bride and groom into the joyous celebration of their holy union.
Each of these traditional rituals hold a great cultural significance and are celebrated pompously.
One such ritual, that has found a momentous place in the Indian weddings from the time immemorial, is the Mehndi Ceremony. Application of Mehndi is a tradition that has been deep-rooted in the Indian culture since long. Girls decorate their hands with ethnic as well as funky Mehndi patterns on several occasions. But during weddings, it’s a different story altogether. That’s why, it became one of the marriage rituals that is thoroughly and extravagantly highlighted in the Bollywood Films and Indian Soap Operas.
Mehndi Ceremony is usually held a day before the wedding, involving celebrations that last for hours together. Right from choosing the mehndi and its designs, and to finally applying it on the bride’s hands and feet with expertise, the process is carried forward with utmost enthusiasm.
While the music and dancing may be keeping the attendees on their feet, the sisters, friends and other female family members of the bride also apply Mehndi during the ceremony.
While the music and dancing may be keeping the attendees on their feet, the sisters, friends and other female family members of the bride also apply Mehndi during the ceremony.
Most of the time, Mehndi artists are hired by the wedding parties to adorn the bride with spectacular henna designs, but sometimes, even a member of the family, closer to the bride, like a sister, cousin or a best friend, applies mehndi on the bride, after consulting her with the designs available on the pattern books or the internet.
Peacocks, Bride and Groom, Creepers, Paisley or Arabic- However the designs or patterns may be, the Bridal mehndi has a huge importance in the Indian weddings, both culturally and traditionally. Even though it is considered as an auspicious ritual most of the time, the colour of mehndi also holds a considerable significance in the relationships between the bride and her new family.
The darkness of the mehndi on the palms of bride represents the love of the groom for her- the darker the mehndi, the deeper the love. Further, it symbolizes the relation between the newlyweds as well as the bride and her mother-in-law. In some families, the bride has the name of the groom hidden in the intricate designs of her mehndi-clad palms. A game is then played where the groom is expected to find his name in those tangled yet deep-red patterns. If he fails to do so, it is implied that the girl remains dominant in their marital relation.
So, before you get on with your Bridal Mehndi, make sure you follow these tips
• Finalize the design way earlier, and be sure to choose someone that you rely on to get the design done. After all, it’s the big day and things cannot go wrong.
• Apply the henna a couple of days prior to your wedding day
• If you want to go for hair removal from your arms, get it done at least a day prior to applying the henna. Else, the henna can get waxed off along with the body hair
• All your pedicure and manicure jobs should be done prior to the application of henna for once it has been applied, all forms of contact with water should be strictly avoided
• Once the paste starts drying out from your hands and feet, dab it with a cotton wool dipped in a mix of sugar and lemon juice. This will keep the henna paste in place and enhance the dark colour
• Allow the henna to stay on for at least 6 hours before it can come in any form of contact with water. You may wrap your hands and feet using a cling film to protect dry henna from ripping off
• 6 hours after application of the henna, remove it with the help of a blunt knife. Else, you can simply brush it off by rubbing your hands together. Remember, not to wash your hands as of now
• Keep your hands and feet as warm as possible. Heat some cloves in a pan and let them smoke. The ensuing aroma and heat will enhance the henna colour
The mehndi ceremony is not just confined to the brides alone.
There are places in our country where the grooms also apply mehndi in a subtle manner, as it is considered a good omen. In addition to the Indian Subcontinent, Mehndi rituals are commonly seen in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and a few other Arab countries.
In all these countries, it is considered good luck for the newlyweds in different ways.
There are places in our country where the grooms also apply mehndi in a subtle manner, as it is considered a good omen. In addition to the Indian Subcontinent, Mehndi rituals are commonly seen in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and a few other Arab countries.
In all these countries, it is considered good luck for the newlyweds in different ways.
Till next time....Keep it STYLISH By Nature !!
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