| Mehendi:
Dye for Marriage! |
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Part 1: 'Mehendi' is a Synonym for Hindu Wedding
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"Hindu
wedding rituals are worth it...American weddings need to be
more religious..."
~ GUYANESE1 |
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The
Hindu marriage season is a special time for Henna tattoos or 'Mehendi'. Although
Mehendi is generally used in many Hindu festivals
and celebrations, there's no doubt that Hindu
wedding has become synonymous with this beautiful reddish dye. Hindus often
use the term 'Mehendi' interchangeably with marriage, and Mehendi is considered
among the most auspicious 'ornaments' of a married woman.
What
is Mehendi?
Mehendi (Lawsonia inermis) is a small tropical shrub, whose leaves when
dried and ground into a paste, give out a rusty-red pigment, suitable for making
intricate designs on the palms and feet. The dye has a cooling property, and
no side effects on the skin. Mehendi is extremely suitable for creating intricate
patterns on various parts of the body, and a painless alternative to permanent
tattoos.
No
Mehendi, No Marriage!
Mehendi is not just a way of artistic expression, sometimes it's a must! A Hindu
wedding includes a number of religious rites before and during the nuptials,
and Mehendi play a vital role in it, so much so that no Indian marriage is considered
complete without it! The reddish brown color of Mehendi - which stands for the
prosperity that a bride is expected to bring to her new family - is considered
most auspicious for all wedding-related ceremonies.
The
Mehendi Ritual
A day before her wedding, the girl and her female folks gather for the Mehendi
ritual - a ceremony traditionally marked by joie de vivre - during which
the bride-to-be embellish their hands, wrists, palms and feet with the lovely
red hue of the Mehendi. Even the groom's hand, especially in Rajasthani weddings,
is decorated with Mehendi patterns.
Outside
Marriage
Mehendi is very popular with both men and women also as a conditioner and dye
for the hair. Mehendi is also applied during the various vratas and fasts
observed by married women. Even gods and goddesses are seen to adorn Mehendi
designs. A large dot in the centre of the hand, with four smaller dots at the
sides is an oft seen Mehendi pattern on the palms of Ganesha
and Lakshmi.
Pix
Courtesy: Rupal Pinto's Mehendi
Gallery
Next page
> Mehendi
Myths, Beliefs and History
> Page 1, 2, 3
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