Bridal Mehendi

Rituals and customs form a strong base for Indian weddings. Each and every ritual performed has its own significance. Mehendi forms an important element in the bridal adornment (solah shringar). Decorating the bride’s palm and feet with henna is an age old tradition. A bride would look incomplete without it.

Indian weddings have many rituals to be followed before the wedding. Bridal Mehendi is an integral part of the wedding. It is considered to be auspicious and is believed to bring prosperity and good luck. It is the Indian belief that darker the color of the Mehendi, deeper will be the love of the husband towards his wife. Mehendi is applied on the palm, feet, arms and legs. The name of the groom is hidden in the design. He is supposed to search his name in the intricate Mehendi design. The bride is not allowed to work in her husband’s house until the color of her Mehendi fades away.

The ritual of Mehendi is followed in every part of the country where hands of the bride are adorned with the lovely red hue of the Mehendi. The Mehendi ceremony is carried out one or two days prior to the wedding day. In some places the first motif of henna or Mehendi is applied by the bride’s sister-in-law while in some other places it is applied by the bride’s mother. A professional Mehendi artist is also invited. Different patterns and designs are drawn on the brides palm and feet.

Patterns include the Arabic, Pakistani and Indian Mehendi style. Today brides adorn their palms and feet with some fancy and stylish Mehendi. They include the tattoo Mehendi, chemical Mehendi etc. This form of Mehendi is good for those who want to avoid wasting time in applying henna.