Rituals of Henna (Mehandi)

The festival of Karwa Chauth is never complete without mehandi designs. In almost all the region of the country, the hands of all married women adorned with the lovely red hue of the henna. Mehndi is considered to be auspicious for all Hindu married women and play a significant role in enhancing their beauty specially on Karwa Chauth. People have a strong belief that married woman who get dark mehandi color will get lots of love and care from her groom. It is also a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Therefore, it can be said that it is a good luck charm for the married women in India. On day before Karwa Chauth, women get intricate mehandi designs applied on their hands.

Most Common Henna Designs

Application of henna forms a mandatory part of Karva Chauth rituals. Some of the most traditional designs of applying mehandi consist of very simple shapes like triangle, circle, lines and many more. These shapes can also be arranged in such a manner that it will result in a beautiful design on the palm and feet of women. On this auspicious day of Karva Chauth, application of mehandi is very much popular among all married women.

How To Apply Mehandi

Smooth henna paste is made by sifting the dry heena powder to remove any debris and adding hot tea or coffee mixture and henna oil until it has a mud-like firmness.

Once the paste is prepared, take a plastic cone with a very fine key-hole at the end. Pour the paste into the cone and tie the broader end with a rubber band.

By holding the cone in the right hand, gently squeeze the paste on the palm and start making patterns.

Keep the palm horizontal and let the patterned-paste rest on it till dry.

Warm it near the fire and leave it on for as long as it takes to get the stains deeper.

When it is almost dry, dab a piece of cotton in sugar and lemon solution and apply lightly on the designs so it further darkens to a reddish-brown hue that can last for weeks.

After 3-4 hours wash off the hands with plain water.

Modern Style of Henna Application

Now-a-days, henna application has become so much popular that the beauty business of applying mehandi has never had it better than on Karva Chauth day. Few days before the festival, all henna artist are busy creating beautiful and intricate designs on the palm and feet of married women. Mehndi design is one of the most significant ritual of Karwa Chauth

All married women get intricate henna designs applied on their hands before they get ready for the evening prayer. A henna artist outline the pattern or design in his mind before actually applying it. The color of mehandi also denotes prosperity and good luck. It symbolically says as the henna gives away her color to beautify someones hands, the married woman should also be generous and kind to give up certain things to beautify the life ahead of her.