One of the most important pre-wedding ceremonies in Indian marriages is
the “Mehndi-ki-raat” ritual. It is not only a fun pre-wedding ritual but
also has a deep-rooted meaning in Indian marriages.
Watch this video - Design by indian artist Aysha
Traditional Ritual
Applying mehndi to brides before wedding is one of the very old
traditions in marriages, with its origins in ancient India. In certain
parts of India, as well as in neighboring Pakistan, Bangladesh and
Nepal, grooms apply mehndi too. It gained popularity among Muslims when
Prophet Muhammad used it, making it a pre-wedding ritual among majority
Indians and also in Arabic speaking nations. From being exclusive to
weddings, mehndi has now become a significant part of any special
occasion including engagements, Karva Chauth, Diwali and other festivals
and family get-togethers.
See below for few of the mehdi samples, done by me :)
Significance of Mehndi
Mehndi represents the bond of matrimony and hence, has sustained its
importance as a pre-wedding ritual and is considered a “shagun”. It
signifies the union of two families and the love and affection in a
marriage. It is believed that the darker the mehndi stains on the
bride’s hand, the stronger the bond will be with her husband. The longer
the mehndi retains, the more auspicious it is for the newlyweds. Mehndi
is also deemed to be a symbolic representation of fertility. Among the
intricate patterns of the mehndi will be hidden the groom’s name or his
initials, which he will have to later find. This fun game breaks the ice
for the couple and creates intimacy.
Mehndi Ceremony
The mehndi ceremony is a colorful, musical and lively celebration.
Different families have different customs during the ceremony. It is
usually held a few days before the main wedding ceremony and usually
combined with Sangeet ceremony. The bride and other females in the
bridal party get ornate mehndi patterns applied on their hands and feet.
It is an occasion for both sides of the family to gather and have some
fun, as there is usually dancing and skits performed by family and
friends. Everyone sings and dances to traditional wedding songs. It is
entertaining for all the members as there is a lot of excitement in the
air for the upcoming wedding as well as a lot of teasing the bride and groom before their big day.
Other Features of Mehndi
In addition to the cultural significance in weddings, mehndi is also
renowned worldwide for its medicinal properties. Its therapeutic
qualities made it a popular cosmetic since early ages. Mehndi is an
excellent, natural conditioner and dye for hair, giving beautifully
coloured, radiant looking hair. Mehndi is also popular for its cooling
effects and aids in soothing headaches, fevers and even hysteria. It can
also increase the growth and look of nails.
Modernization of Mehndi
The traditional patterns of mehndi have become more and more intricate
and decorative with time. There are now many types of mehndi patterns,
some of which are Arabic, Rajasthani and tattoo. Crystal mehndi has
bindi-like crystals to add sparkle to the mehndi design. Each beautiful
design has degrees of intricacy and can be made unique for the bride.
Its design patterns have made it popular among brides worldwide.
Watch this video - Design by indian artist Aysha
