Indian Weddings
The Mehndi Ceremony
India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world and the beauty of Indian weddings comes forth in the numerous traditions that are associated with the special celebration. Marriages in India include a number of pre-wedding functions of which the mehndi (henna) ceremony is common among many cultures. Applying mehndi (henna) to the bride and groom before the wedding is one of the oldest Indian traditions. Considered as a ‘shagun’ (auspicious moment), it signifies the love between the couple and their families.
The mehndi ceremony is a colorful, musical and lively celebration which involves lots of people, food and fun. A family member or mehndi expert applies elaborate designs with a cone filled with mehndi on the palms and feet of the bride. The mehndi ceremony for the groom takes place separately at his home. Traditional songs and music characterize the ceremony from the beginning to the end.
Fun Facts
• The darker the color of the bride’s Mehndi, it is said the more her partner will love her.
• It is a common practice for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the Mehndi design.
• The smell, the beautiful rich color, and the health benefits that mehndi lends act as a powerful aphrodisiac..
Since the color and smell remain for days, it boosts the romance in the initial days of marriage.
• While the henna stain still appears on the bride she does not have to do any of the housework.
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