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Relevance of Mehndi in Hindu Traditions

Photo by Juanita Tommy.
Source: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo969412.htm.
Mehndi (also known as Henna in Urdu) is an important part of Hindu tradition. Wedding being one of the most important occasions in any girl’s life is also referred to as haath peele karna (an idiom) which can be translated as “to color a girl’s hand yellow,”  i.e. to get her married. One of the symbolic references of mehndi is fertility. Therefore it shouldn’t be any surprise that the mehndi application ceremony, simply called Mehndi Ki Raat, is celebrated in full galore and grandeur. This ceremony is often combined with Sangeet [which] translates as “music,” and hence makes it a night full of music, dance and feasting.
This ceremony is usually held one night before the wedding. The application of the mehndi on a bride’s hand (starting from the elbows) and feet (starting from below the knees) takes no less than 6-to-7 hours. Family and friends also apply one of the simpler designs of mehndi to celebrate with the bride-to-be.
One of the myths (just for fun, really!) involved with mehndi is that the darker the color of mehndi would be, the more your husband-to-be would love you. That is the reason why, even after its application the mehndi is kept on overnight to get a deeper, darker color on the palms. Traditionally, after her marriage, a girl does not indulge in any household work till the mehndi fades out completely (giving more time to the bride to get to know her husband and new family). For several centuries Indian marriages have been arranged by their parents and/or elders, thus such small rituals gave more time for couples to spend time together and built their marriage.
There after mehndi is applied on all important occasions and festivals. More than anything, it’s application is considered seemly and  auspicious.
Portions of this post were sourced from Importance Of Mehndi In Indian Culture.
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38 comments

  1. Oh to Be a MuseDecember 3, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    it's kinda late here so i'm going to come back tomorrow and read this entire post. but i just wanted to stop by and say hello luv and that you look amazing!

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  2. pavani reddyDecember 3, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    u made a fabulous bride tanvii...ur jewelry is so hatke...

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  3. UpasnaDecember 3, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    the pictures of the both of you are awesome! :)

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  4. Pria RaoDecember 3, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    Oh my god! I am checking several times to make sure it is you. I thought its some actress.. Really!

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  5. Fashion, Art and other fanciesDecember 3, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    That last image is so bollywood worthy. So glamorous in an authentic ethnic way.
    And that smile; enchanting;-)

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  6. Bows,Hearts and everything CuteDecember 3, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    You looked so pretty on your wedding Tanvi..Love all the pictures!

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  7. SilvertigoDecember 3, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    You look fab in every picture! Love the way you've worn the jumpsuit in two such different ways, so cool. Also, was very interesting to read that part about tradition :) you've been a beautiful bride :) Have a great day! xoxo

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  8. AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    These wedding photographs are beautiful, Tanvi! You look like a movie star. And I loved hearing the story behind the mehndi.

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  9. Mitr Friend - BhushavaliDecember 3, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Wow... Adorable wedding shots!!! Love your mehendi...
    Roaming-About in Style

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  10. DesignwaliDecember 3, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    beautiful!

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  11. ShybikerDecember 3, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Thank you for the lucid explanation: I've always wondered about that. The rituals of other cultures are fascinating. And the pictures of you are amazing.

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  12. Confused SoulDecember 3, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    the mehendi is beautiful...and you look so pretty :)

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  13. JackDecember 3, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Tanvi,

    Congratulations. Please convey our Best Wishes to them. May God bless them with a very very Happy Wedded Life. Where is the wedding? And as usual informative post.

    Take care

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  14. *Glam Chameleon*December 3, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    U looked sooooo beautiful here, so radiant and happy! I always love to learn something about Indian traditions and culture from u!:) kisses
    Jelena (glamfabchamelon.blogspot.com)

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  15. GayatriDecember 3, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    Love love love these photos. Esp the 2nd Mehendi one. So candid! You made such a beautiful bride :)

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  16. Miss.MysticDecember 3, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    You're lookin awesome! I love the mehndi design, personally I hate smell of mehndi, dunno why.

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  17. kritika.m1December 3, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    You look absolutely beautiful in the wedding day pictures! :)

    Love
    labelpurple.blogspot.com

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  18. CDecember 3, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    What a gorgeous bride you were! Your smile is amazing! I'd never really know some of the little ins & outs of why they did the mehndi - so this was fascinating.

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  19. GBDecember 3, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    Such a lovely post--you truly were a glowing bride (and you need to let your smile shine more often!) Hope you're having fun at your brother's wedding (how is your brother's dulhan btw? Hehehe--my lame attempt at a joke!) Hope you're having a wonderful time,

    xoxo,
    G

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  20. niaDecember 4, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    Thanks for the post on Mehndi tradition, it just took me to those lovely memories of marriage festivities at home. Wish you and your family happiness and love. Special wishes for your brother and sister-in-law :) God bless them!

    I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee your first picture in the jumpsuit post ...It's WOW!!!!! :) you look super amazing...

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  21. Polka PrincessDecember 4, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Awwww........you are looking so very pretty sweetheart! <3

    And it's so cute to see Mr. Fabulous making you laugh & taking advantage of the fact that you can't even playfully punch him with all that mehendi on your hands!! ;P

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  22. VixDecember 4, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Most beautiful bride ever! x

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  23. YvonnaLiviannaDecember 4, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Beautiful! We had a Art of Henna workshop at my school recently. I love it so much. Do you happen to use henna in your hair as well? I use black henna for my hair it does wonders. You look so radiant and happy in your wedding photos!

    XX!
    YvonnaLivianna
    YvonnaLivianna.blogspot.com

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  24. Natasha FatahDecember 4, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Hi Tanvi, love your blog!
    Really enjoyed this post, and wanted to mention that the beauty of mehndi in South Asia is that it cuts beyond religious lines. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Catholics all use mehndi! It really is a cultural tie that binds.

    natashafatah at gmail dot com
    http://natashafatah.blogspot.com/

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  25. ☆ Rià ღDecember 5, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    U look so so pretty. And those expressions are priceless.

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  26. www.majormusthaves.comDecember 5, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Everything you are wearing is beautiful! I love the necklace!

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  27. SuruchiDecember 5, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    you know the "Fabulous Tanvi" just might be the perfect way to describe you...I love seeing your wedding pics-you glow even brighter with all the innocence just reaching its bloom:-)

    hope the wedding was fun-too bad i missed it:(

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  28. ADecember 5, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Very nice pictures of Mehandi...it reminds me I have that I should post some pictures of Mehandi

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  29. WendyBDecember 6, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    You look incredible!

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  30. LipsyDecember 7, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    Priceless pics...you are beautiful from within and it shows in your smile!

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  31. cbenavidesDecember 7, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Such a beautiful custom!! A dear friend of mine is getting married and invited us to her mehndi ceremony. I am very excited about it. You look stunning in your pictures :)

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  32. Megan, The Frugalista DiariesDecember 8, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    GORGEOUS!

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  33. Oh to Be a MuseDecember 8, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    ok i've read it. your mehndi is really intricate and awesome. looks even better the second day!

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  34. Priyanka@The Healthy DiaryDecember 8, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Just love all the pictures, you made such a beautiful bride!!!!

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  35. FashionistableDecember 11, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Tanvii, thank you so much for this post and sharing the meaning of this tradition with us. The designs are so beautiful and intricate and you looked so beautiful on your wedding day. Looks like you had a great time at your brothers engagement too. When you have recovered from the festivities will you share his wedding pic's too. Congratulations to him and his new wife. Xxxx

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  36. AnonymousDecember 13, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Love the pictures. Are the celebrations still on? Congratulations to u and ur family.

    PS: I want that jumpsuit outfit! where did you buy it Tanvii? Please tell me! PLEASE!

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  37. AnubhaDecember 17, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Oh you look gorgeous! :))

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  38. Ignorant AwarenessFebruary 13, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    We call it mehendhi in Urdu too though, not Henna lol =]

    ReplyDelete

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