Indian weddings are one of a kind that is happening around the world. The reason is weddings in India are not about one thing. They are a mixture of joy, traditions, ceremonies, rituals and many other things which make them unique. Even the rituals vary based on the state, community, religion and several other factors that revolve around a wedding.
Every ritual holds a certain meaning that is related to the wedding ceremony. For instance, the Haldi ceremony is held to purify the bride and groom before the wedding ceremony. Similarly, the Mehndi ceremony is also an important ceremony in Indian culture where the women including the bride will have henna applied on their hands and feet with simple Mehndi designs.
What is a Mehendi Ceremony?
In the Mehendi ceremony, which is one of the most important and fun pre-wedding ceremonies in Indian marriages, some families also combine bridal Mehendi and sangeet ceremonies to make it a grand affair. From the bride-to-be to all the females in the house gather together for a fun-filled evening/noon and adorn their hands with beautiful flowers, birds, and abstract simple Mehendi design patterns.
This ceremony usually takes place a day before the wedding and is a fun-filled one. The bride, her friends and relatives will get the entire evening before the wedding to celebrate their time together. They will also have henna applied on their hands and feet. Simple Mehndi designs to some difficult designs can also be used during the ceremony.
Most of the time the family members will do simple Mehendi designs. If the bride wants she can also hire a Mehendi artist to do her favourite Mehndi design. Even the groom decorates his hands and feet with some Mehendi, as is customary in other races. Every member of the bride and groom's family and their close friends participates in the entire ceremony, which is a joyous occasion. But the Mehndi ceremony is more than just a festive pre-wedding custom; it also holds significant cultural significance.
Process of Mehendi Ceremony
When made into a paste, dried henna leaves stain skin. The molecules known as lawsone slowly move from the henna paste into the epidermis of the skin and connect to the proteins there, leaving a stain. Henna is sometimes sold as a powder created by drying, milling, and sifting the leaves.
Because it is challenging to create detailed patterns from coarsely crushed leaves. Depending on the tradition, the dry powder is combined with one of a number of liquids, such as water, lemon juice, strong tea, and other components. Many painters increase the paste's consistency by adding sugar or molasses to make it stick to the skin better.
What is the Significance of the Mehendi Ceremony?
Mehendi is regarded as a Shagun since it symbolises the marriage covenant. It represents couples' and their families' love and affection for one another.
Here are a few widespread notions connected to this custom:
- The dark Mehendi colour on a bride's hand symbolises their intense love for their soulmate.
- The bride's and her mother-in-law’s understanding are also depicted through the Mehndi colour.
- The more time the Mehndi has to keep its colour, the luckier it is for newlyweds.
- Another interpretation of simple Mehendi design is that it symbolises fecundity.
Henna or Mehendi is well renowned for its therapeutic benefits. Its calming effects help to relieve tension, headaches, and fevers. The herb used in simple Mehndi design is also excellent for growing nails. In order to relieve the bride and groom of all the wedding-related tension, Mehendi is used. Before the wedding, it also shields them from any viral illnesses.
Mehandi is significant for more reasons than just the belief systems. Additionally well-known for its therapeutic qualities, it is also well-liked for its cooling qualities. India uses them in hot climates as a result. New simple Mehendi designs and styles are emerging in today's modern day, giving it more glitz and joy.
Peacock motifs, floral patterns, bride-and-groom impersonations, and other components are used in traditional Indian designs to cover the entire hand, forearm, foot, and calf area. The classic simple Mehendi designs have evolved over time to become increasingly elaborate, beautiful, and captivating.
There are many different types of Mehndi patterns available today, with Arabic and Rajasthani being the most popular. Even now, embellishments like crystals and sparkles are used to apply simple Mehndi designs. Each exquisite pattern can be customised for the bride and ranges in complexity. Everything hinges on how the bride wants it to look in her hands.
Other significant cultural events, such as Karva Chauth, Diwali, and other Indian holidays, also include Mehendi as one of the ways of celebrating them. Mehndi has a longstanding cultural and social position in weddings as a ritual. Mehendi enhances the wedding festivities in addition to adding lovely, rich hues. The celebration begins with the application of the Mehndi. a gathering of family, friends, music, entertainment, food, and dancing performances.
