Indian Accessories

Mehendi is a small plant grown in tropical region. When the leaves of this plant are dried and ground we get a rusty red pigment used to make beautiful designs on the palms and legs. This paste has no adverse effects on the skin;

at the same time its cooling effect is good for the skin. While mehendi dye is applied to the body to create intricate patterns it causes no pain and it is an excellent alternative to permanent tattoo.

Mehendi has become a synonym for Hindu wedding since mehendi is one of the most auspicious jewels of married women and Hindus very often use the word mehendi instead of marriage. Mehendi has an indispensable place in a marriage that it is not possible for any one to imagine a marriage without mehendi. It is true that several other festivals and religious functions are celebrated using mehendi. But only Hindu wedding has become synonymous with this wonderful red paste. Ladies and even men love to get their hands to be decorated with intrinsic patterns using mehendi dye.

We see a number of religious rites before and during a Hindu wedding and mehendi have a very significant role to play, such that an Indian marriage cannot be complete without it. The rustic red color of the mehendi symbolizes prosperity and the bride wearing this color is supposed to bring fortune and prosperity with her to the new house. And mehendi’s role is very vital and auspicious in all wedding related rites.

During Mehendi ritual, conducted the day before the wedding, the girl and her female relatives and friends come together and the bride-to-be’s hands, palms, waist and feet will be decorated with the red color mehendi producing intricate patterns on those parts. This is an occasion for joy and fun. Even the groom will be given a mehendi touch.

Mehendi is an effective conditioner and dye for the hair. Married women, observing fasts/vratas apply mehendi on their hands. Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are often seen with a big dot in the centre and four smaller dots at the sides of their hands.