Indian Accessories

Mehendi or Henna has been in the use as a natural cosmetic for the past 5000years. The tradition of mehendi is believed to have originated in North Africa and the Middle East.

Only in the 12th century the Mughals brought mehendi to India. As it started to gain more popularity people began to apply more sophisticated methods and designs. Latest research shows that the intricate patterns found in India have assumed their present form in the 20th century only. In the 17th century the barber’s wife was appointed to apply henna on Indian women. From that time most women in India, regardless of their social and marital status embellish their hands and feet with mehendi.

Since the rich and royal families, from very early, used mehendi for various matters it became very popular among people. The reasons for its appeal with the masses are plenty like it is cooling and painless, not permanent like real tattoos and no artistic skill needed to apply it.

Nothing sacred or spiritual is associated with mehendi, but it is believed that it will bring luck, fortune, blessings and benefits to the family. To prepare a mehendi paste, dried leaves are powdered and mixed with water. Then patterns are drawn on the skin by squeezing the paste through the tip of a cone. The girl sits motionless for about 3-4 hours until the designs become dry, hard and crusted. The paste is said to impart a cooling effect on the bride’s nerves. The remains of the paste are removed with water. Now a dark red imprint, lasting for some weeks, is left on the skin.

Today mehendi is gaining a significant place in the fashion world very fast. People all over the world have begun to realize the harmless features of this wonderful paste and consider this as an alternative to real tattoos. This painless mehendi is introduced into the Euro-American culture recently and it is appreciated in the West. Mehendi has got a boost by the Hollywood actors, celebrities and Pop singers who have made this art of skin painting famous. People and cosmopolitan help in spreading the mehendi fashion still further.