Mehndi Page MyShadi

How to Make your Mehendi Darker & Last Longer

myshadi — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 09:37:12 +0000

Be it a wedding or any festival, Indian women love to adorn their hands with mehendi. Mehendi or henna is a token of good omen and is also known for its medicinal properties, such as soothing headaches and stress.

Every woman wants dark mehendi. This is because of the significance behind its color. It is said, the darkness of the Mehendi color on a woman’s hand represents the deep love between her and her partner. Here are some before and after tips to get darker and longer-lasting mehendi.

#1. Clean hands

Wash your hands rigorously with soap and properly dry them before applying mehendi. Do not put any cream or moisturizer on your hands before the mehendi session, as that can prevent your skin from absorbing the henna.

#2. Keep it on for as long as possible

Give the henna a good amount of time to get absorbed. Do not try to remove it before it dries off properly. Do not use heaters and hair dryers to speed up the process. And make sure you do not wash your hands to remove the mehendi, always scrape it off by rubbing your hands together.

#3. Lemon & Sugar

Apply a mixture of lemon and sugar on your hands using a cotton ball at regular intervals. The lemon juice helps to activate the dye in henna, sugar helps it in sticking to your hands. But, do not overdo it.

#4. Clove fumes

In a pan heat a few cloves, and run your hands over the fumes. It will help to dry up the henna without ruining it and give it a darker color.

#5. Apply some balm

After scraping off the henna, apply any balm or Vicks on your hands. Keep this overnight as it can help to enhance the color of your mehendi.

Mehendi

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The post How to Make your Mehendi Darker & Last Longer first appeared on MyShadi.

Mehndi Ceremony: Rituals, Customs & Significance

myshadi — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 11:20:27 +0000

Mehndi is an art of applying decorative designs on hands, feet, and arms. It is an integral part of Indian traditional weddings so much that the ritual has a dedicated day to its name that is celebrated in its full entirety. Festive music, vibrant dance, lavish decor, and mouth-watering delicacies with great pomp have everyone thoroughly enjoying this beautification ritual. Ladies are usually adorned with mehndi (also known as henna) on many festivities and occasions such as Karva Chauth. The dark amber color of mehndi holds a special significance in both Indian and Muslim traditions and is considered auspicious when the color darkens or retains its hue for a longer time.

History and Background

Mehndi is famed for its medicinal properties and use in body art around the world. The word originates from the Sanskrit word mendhika referring to the plant from which it is derived. References suggest that mehndi had its presence in varied cultures apart from India such as Egypt, Asia Minor, Middle East, and was even used by Cleopatra, pharaohs, and Prophet Muhammad. However, the body of art of mehndi had its roots in ancient India from where it spread to different nooks and corners of the world. Discovery of the henna plant’s cooling properties led to the popularity of use on the skin. The plant has even been used to color wool, silk, animal skin, human hair, and more.

Lawsonia inermis, the botanical name of the mehndi plant, is generally found in tropical climates on the Indian subcontinent. Fresh henna leaves, as opposed to powdered henna, have no odor. The leaves of the plant are used to produce a paste that leaves a dark reddish-orange color after application.

The dried leaves of henna are crushed to produce a powder that is then mixed with water, eucalyptus oil, and lemon juice to create a smooth pastelike texture. The paste is left to rest overnight and then poured into a plastic cone for application.

Application and Design

The tip of the cones are cut according to the desired thickness of the line. Cones are then squeezed lightly to apply uninterrupted designs, all ranging from simple to ornate depending on the individual’s taste or the occasion.

When having mehndi applied, it is best to wear short sleeves to keep the hands and arms exposed. From stunning, intricate designs to checkered and geometric patterns, the design options are endless. For minimalists, Arabic designs are elegant. Having mantras etched is the latest fad. Wedding motifs such as elephants and palanquin are the all-time traditional favorites. The feet are not to be forgotten – mehndi done in a prominent motif in the center is quite popular.

Once applied, the mehndi is left to dry for color blending and uniformity. To enhance the color outcome, a mixture of lemon juice and sugar is applied to the Mehndi. Once dry, the mendhi naturally crumbles and falls off. Using water to remove the mehndi is not common practice as this can make the color lighter.

Mehndi as a Ritual

In South Asian weddings, the mehndi event is a ritual where henna is applied on the bride’s hands and feet in anticipation of the wedding ceremony. Not only limited to the bride, all the bridesmaids and guests have beautiful designs done on their hands and arms from hired professionals. The ritual involves the ceremonial singing of traditional songs to the beat of drums and dholaks. Mehndi designs for the bride are elaborate, intricate, and as part of the tradition, it often includes the name of husband-to-be for him to seek on the wedding night.

For some, weddings are a time for doubt and stress. Anxiety and nervousness might be overwhelming, but given mehndi is scientifically proven to be a cooling property, the art of applying henna is a way to calm the bride’s nerves.

Sanskrit word mendhika

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Arabic designs are elegant

intricate designs

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palanquin

mixture of lemon juice and sugar

South Asian weddings

henna

wedding ceremony

traditional songs

drums and dholaks

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bride’s nerves

The post Mehndi Ceremony: Rituals, Customs & Significance first appeared on MyShadi.

The significance of Mehndi in Indian Marriages by Raj Shah

myshadi — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 09:45:01 +0000

Indian marriages are known for their many rituals. In fact, the beauty of Indian weddings comes forth in the numerous traditions that are associated with a special celebration. Indian weddings are incomplete without dance, music and lots of laughter. Furthermore, Indian weddings are not a one-day ceremony. Pre-wedding ceremonies begin before the wedding and can sometimes be a week-long celebration.

Among the many traditions that are infused into Indian weddings, one of the most prominent is the bridal mehndi ceremony. This is the day when mehndi is applied on the hands and feet of the bride and even the groom. While the bride has a very elaborate pattern done on her hands and feet, the groom usually has just a token design. Mehndi is a very important part of both Hindu and Muslim weddings in India. In fact, applying mehndi designs is a custom during any celebration in India, be it Karva Chauth, Teej, Diwali, Ramadan or any other festival.

Beliefs associated with mehndi

It is a common belief that the darker the color the mehndi leaves on the hands on a bride, the more will she be loved by her husband and mother-in-law. However, the significance of applying Indian mehndi designs during weddings is not restricted just to sentiments and beliefs. Although these beliefs make the application of mehndi a much anticipated and charming tradition, the actual reason is of much deeper significance, which is sometimes forgotten in the present day.

The core significance of Applying Mehndi

Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful, and often, stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet of the bride, which house nerve endings in the body. Also, being a highly antiseptic agent, mehndi can protect the couple from viral diseases. Such diseases are totally undesirable just before the wedding and this medicinal herb can lend a strong shield. Any small cuts, burns or scratches that the couple might sustain during the course of so many rituals and customs can be healed easily with the application of mehndi. It improves blood circulation in the body and enhances general health. The initial practice of applying mehndi in ancient times began in order to protect the couple and keep them healthy.

Mehndi applied during Indian weddings is not just a plain paste of mehndi powder and water. Eucalyptus oil, a bit of clove oil and a few drops of lemon are added. These oils not only help in darkening the color of mehndi on the body but also enhance the benefits of mehndi and make the paste highly medicinal. The best part is that the smell, the beautiful rich color and the health benefits that mehndi lends act as a powerful aphrodisiac. Also, since the color and smell remain for days, it boosts the romance in the initial days of the wedding.

Islamic belief is also very strong regarding mehndi and its application during weddings is a very significant part of Islamic weddings as well. According to holy Islamic scriptures, the Prophet always administered mehndi application and as a drink to people suffering from diseases. So, it corresponds to the Hindu ideology of using mehndi before weddings. Mehndikirasmis held a couple of days before the nikah ceremony and is celebrated with a lot of pomp and honor.

Mehndi Traditions

Over the centuries, mehndi has become so ingrained in Indian tradition that today the mehndi ceremony is one of the major celebrations before the wedding. A family member, mehndi artist or expert applies mehndi on the palms and feet of the bride. Elaborate designs are applied on the hands with a cone filled with mehndi. While the mehndi is being applied, other members of the family play the traditional dhol and dance to its beats. Every female member of the family gets mehndi done on her hands and feet. The entire mood of a mehndi ceremony is extremely festive.
The mehndi ceremony takes place at the bride’s place and usually, it is held a couple of days prior to the wedding. It is a night ceremony which is accompanied by relatives, music, laughter, food and a lot of fun.

The mehndi ceremony for the groom takes place separately at his home. The bride and groom do not usually get decked up very elaborately at the time of the mehndi application, and their ensembles are very simple. Once the mehndi for the bride is done, the female relatives of the bride, especially her sisters, visit the groom’s ceremony. It is great fun as the would-be sister-in-law’s play pranks on their future brother-in-law and try to get some money from him as a tradition! It is a very happy occasion for both families. Traditional songs and music characterize the ceremony from the beginning to the end.

Present trends in mehndi

Although times have changed and a lot of new inclusions have been made in Indian weddings, the significance of the mehndi ceremony has grown in stature. Many families bring in DJs to play songs and celebrations that go on until late in the night. If something has changed about the ceremony, it is the designs and patterns. While only intricate Indian designs were traditionally applied in the past, brides today are experimenting with Arabic designs and Indo-Arabic designs and mixing shimmer pastes along with the traditional mehndi paste. Semi-precious stones are also embedded in the design. It is traditional to write the name of the groom on the bride’s palm. In some regions, this is also a small ritual after the wedding. The groom is made to search for his name, which is usually smartly written so as not be readily visible.

The mehndi ceremony is a reflection of the rich Indian culture, bringing together the knowledge of medicinal herbs with many lovely sentiments and beliefs. The result is a ceremony filled with fun and joy and the perfect precursor to the auspicious wedding day.

Indian Wedding Ring Ceremony

Detailed Mehndi on Brides hand

Beautiful bride with mehndi in her hands

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Astonishing bride with heena

Adorable Arabic Mehndi

Bride showing her mehndi designs

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Outstanding Floral Mehndi Design

Pakistani Mehndi Ideas

Bride with Mehndi in hands and foot

Stylish Mehndi Designs

Elegant mehndi On bride’s Hand

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Bride and groom after haldi ceremony

Heena on Brides Mother

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About the Author

A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of Hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a managing editor of Desh-Videsh Magazine and co-founder of Desh Videsh Media Group. Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his motto ever since he arrived in the US.

He has been instrumental in starting and promoting several community organizations such as the Indian Religious and Cultural Center and Hindu University of America South Florida Chapter. He serves as a chairman of Board of International Hindu University. Raj has written two books on Hinduism titled Chronology of Hinduism in which he has documented the rich history of the world’s oldest religion, and Understanding Hinduism – The Basic Facts about Hinduism and Frequently Asked Questions. He has also written three children books, We love Diwali, Holi Hai and The Complete Ramayan in 100 Tweets.

The post The significance of Mehndi in Indian Marriages by Raj Shah first appeared on MyShadi.