Mehndi
A colour illustrating
love, a fragrance to blossom upcoming life, a celebration depicting immense
happiness and a trust to tie a knot of completeness...
Indian weddings are
never accomplished without this prodigiously lavishing ceremony. Oodles of laughter
shared with this ritual accompanied with *shudh desi* music. It gives a feeling
of endurance, commitment, loyalty and a step forward to experience a soothing
emotion.
Importance of the ceremony
It is one of the most
important and significant ritual performed before the wedding. This ceremony
not only unites bride and the groom but also the families and friends. The
Mehndi event is a colourful and fun celebration held the night before the *Sangeet*,
which is traditionally celebrated by the women on the bride’s side of the
family. Generally, a professional Mehndi artist or relative will apply henna in
intricate designs to the hands and feet of the bride and other women in the
family. These intricate designs symbolize happiness, pulchritude, spiritual awakening,
offering and delicacy. The bride’s Mehndi sometimes goes half way to her knees.
The groom also applies henna according to the beliefs
in some communities. It actually signifies the level of compassion and warmth
provided by the groom.
Ideologies
behind the concept...
The most common idea related to Mehndi is
its colour. It is strongly believed that darker it
is, the more the bride would be loved by her husband and in-laws. Another associated
aspect is that the longer the Mehndi stays, the more she is honoured and
admired by her mother-in-law. The designs generally include the name of the
groom which is scattered in tits and bits all over the curved and twisted
designs, to be found by the groom before the wedding night.
Realities
Amidst all the fun and laughter, the actual
importance is often lost which is followed from medieval times. Other than
adding a tinge of colour to the hands and feet, the henna leaves have immense
medicinal and healing powers which soothes and plays a vital role in enhancing
the beatitude.
Weddings, undeniably is a period of stress, tension and dilemma
which creates an unwanted mess at times. Applying of Mehndi on the hands and
feet helps in keeping the nerve-endings cool, which in turn keeps the stress at
bay. Mehndi also acts as an antiseptic agent; thus, keeping the bride free from
viral diseases, cuts and bruises around the wedding. Application of Mehndi also
improves blood circulation. Thus, the practice of applying Mehndi was to keep
the bride-to-be hale, hearty and as fresh as a rose is.
During weddings, the Mehndi paste is
further enhanced with the use of eucalyptus oil, clove oil, lemon juice and
sugar. These oils not only enhance an aroma in the mixture but also add in the
healing powers. In addition to all these health benefits, the fragrance of the Mehndi
acts as a powerful aphrodisiac. Hence, its significance during weddings and
thereafter is definitely preferable.
A part of the wedding which should and can
never be missed or overlapped. How charismatically people get together because
of these little celebrations and share a beautiful emotion to a heavenly start.
Some smiles and rituals should definitely be contagious. Keep smiling.
Happy Mehndi
Swatii Chandak
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