Mehendi is considered
to be an ancient Indian body art. It is
used in creating elaborate ethnic or contemporary
designs and exotic patterns on various
parts of the body; traditionally mehendi
was applied on the hands and feet of Indian
bride and women preparing for special
festive ceremonies. Today men are finding
it a nice alternative to permanent tattoos.
But now both men and women enjoy the temporary
tattoo. The art of applying henna in this
manner is called Mehendi, it is an ancient
ritual and art form No Indian wedding
is ever complete without the mehendi
ceremony. The ritual of mehendi
is followed in every part of the country
where the hands of the bride are adorned
with the lovely red hue of the mehendi.
Henna designs can be used as armlets,
bracelets, anklets, and general designs
on hands and feet. Various kinds of designs
can be made depending on the occasion.
In wedding ceremonies
mostly traditional Indian designs are
made on the hands of the bride. These
traditional designs are elaborate and
detail. Other than the ethnic and conventional
designs for the bride you can opt for
contemporary designs, which are sleek
and fashionable. Today brides also opt
for Arabic designs, ornamental designs
and tattoo designs like necklace tattoos,
navel tattoos and anklet tattoos.
Henna is a natural product. Its leaves
are dried and grounded to make the henna
powder. Since it is a natural product,
there are no known side effects. It usually
takes many hours to get a good henna stain
on the skin, and that stain is quite harmless.
The shade varies according to the quality
of the henna powder. Your henna design
should last at a minimum of 1 and a maximum
of 4 weeks depending on the thickness
of the epidermis of your skin and on where
the design is located. To have a good
result leave the henna paste for eight
hours and more. The longer the paste is
kept on, the darker the design will be.
The less exposed to water, soap or rubbing,
the longer the designs will stay. For
the wedding day try to go for simple and
detailed designs on your hands and feet.
The designs should not be overdone it
should look pretty.
