History of Mehendi in India and its Significance in Indian Weddings
Weddings in India are more than just the union of two hearts. It is also the union of two families and sometimes two different communities Indian weddings also have a lot of traditions and ceremonies, which makes them one of a kind One such tradition is the mehendi ceremony which has a unique place at the wedding. The history of mehendi in India is deep-rooted and long In this article, we will be discussing its history and its significance in Indian weddings
What is Mehendi?
Mehendi is a herb that grows in tropical regions and is also known as henna. The leaves of the henna plant are dried and ground to make the mehendi powder. The powder is then mixed with water to make a paste Mehendi artists make mehendi art with this mehendi paste You can also do simple designs on your own.
After applying the paste, you need to wash it with water once it is dry The red-orange pigment in the henna plant leaves a red stain which makes the final design. You can also make it darker by adding some external elements like lime, darkening agent etc This is a better replacement for those who want tattoos but couldn’t do them
Because the henna stains will fade away slowly You can also put mehendi designs even if you don’t have a special occasion. In addition to all this, mehendi also has some medicinal properties that can be helpful.
History of Mehendi in India
To comprehend the history of Mehendi in India, it is necessary to examine the various theories surrounding it. The art of Mehendi has undergone a process of migration and integration from various cultures over the past 5000 years There are two predominant theories regarding the history of Mehendi in Indian weddings
The first theory suggests that Mehendi design originated in India The discovery of texts and images related to it backs this one. The second theory was by the famous New York-based Mehendi artist Sharmin Samantha She says that the history of Mehendi in India can be traced back to the Middle East It is evidenced by the presence of red-brown stains of henna on the hair and nails of Egyptian mummies.
Despite the different theories, India gets the credit to make it the best art form It has played a significant role in promoting it during various festivals, weddings, and celebrations. The history of Mehendi in India dates back thousands of years It is in ancient Indian texts such as the Vedas and the Puranas as a form of body decoration Mehendi has since become an integral part of wedding celebrations in India. It is a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the couple.
The designs are intricate and have special significance. There is a belief that the darker the colour of the mehendi stain, the stronger the bond between the couple The art of Mehendi has evolved with new techniques and designs. Today, highly skilled mehendi artists in India are in great demand. People around the world are admiring the beauty and intricacy of their work.
The myths around the Mehendi Ceremony
To understand the origins of the use of mehendi in Indian weddings, we can examine a mythological story. According to the legend, this happened during the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati Goddess Parvati adorned herself with intricate mehendi designs to please her new husband This event eventually became a tradition in Indian weddings and is now part of the sixteen Solah Shringar.
Apart from the myth, weddings can be both beautiful and stressful occasions. Weddings also require a significant amount of work and effort to organize As a result, many people choose to hire a wedding planner to alleviate the burden associated with planning and implementation
Significance of Mehendi tradition
The traditions passed down by our ancestors often have a scientific basis, not just limited to wedding customs For instance, the Mehendi ceremony involves the application of henna, which has medicinal properties Weddings can be stressful, but the Mehendi ceremony can help the couple relax by providing a break from wedding planning.
The henna also has a cooling effect and soothes the body, which can help to prevent nerves from getting tense The ceremony typically takes place a day before the wedding to allow time for these benefits to take effect Additionally, Mehendi also has antiseptic properties It can help to prevent the bride and groom from falling ill due to viral infections before the wedding.
The groom may also have a simple Mehendi design on his hand In addition to its medicinal properties, there is a belief in the darkness of mehendi. The darker the Mehendi, the amount of love she has for her partner is higher