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Mehendi
The Mehendi ceremony of Haryana forms a big part of the pre-wedding celebrations. During this celebration, mehendi, a paste made from the henna plant, is applied on the hands and feet of the bride, symbolising beauty, love and prosperity. It is a dark orange to reddish brown plant-based dye that prints temporary patterns. The Mehendi ceremony is held at the bride's home. For centuries, only married women from the bride’s family gathered to apply mehendi to the bride. However, over the last few decades, Mehendi parties have been jointly hosted by the groom and bride, where men and women from both sides are invited. The Mehendi ceremony may be held in a banquet hall or party lawn. In Haryana, the Mehendi ceremony begins once the groom’s sister and brother-in-law get the specially prepared mehendi paste to the bride’s home or the venue. They apply mehendi on the bride’s hands or feet before the mehendi artist begins their work. It takes up to five to six hours to apply bridal mehendi. Family members and guests are encouraged to apply for Mehendi during the ceremony. There is also live music and a lot of singing and dancing, with everyone joining the revelry to cherish the couple. Most brides prefer their Mehendi ceremony three to four days before the wedding to get the best results from the Mehendi.
Cultural Significance
Mehendi is a significant pre-wedding ritual with deep cultural symbolism. The ancient form of body art originating in the fourth century has been passed down through generations, reflecting Haryana's rich heritage. The ceremony also offers a perfect opportunity for the bride and groom and their families and friends to mingle and get to know each other better. Further, applying mehendi on a bride’s hand enhances beauty and attracts positivity.
Besides lending colour, mehendi has a cooling effect. Since the nerve endings in the body are in the hands and feet, mehendi, with its inherent cooling properties, helps to reduce the bride's anxiety as she embarks on her new journey. In many families in Haryana, newlywed brides are encouraged to avoid housework for as long as the mehendi remains on their hands.
Fashioning Tradition
Mehendi attire has always been in shades of green. But with changing times, brides in Haryana, having embraced tradition with modern aesthetics, are wearing a kaleidoscope of colours. Designer ready-to-wear sarees, salwar kameez, and customised lehengas have hues of green intermingled with vibrant colours like rani pink, purple, orange, and turquoise. Mermaid-style flared skirts with designer cholis, tie and die lehengas with 3D mirror flowers, and multi-coloured salwar kameez with Swarovski crystals have found their way into bridal Mehendi outfits. Few brides even prefer Indo-western short-sleeved outfits since they are convenient and easier to manage while applying Mehendi.
A silk kurta with churidar or a crisply starched cotton kurta with pyjama is an excellent choice for grooms. Several grooms in Haryana are also opting for designer sherwanis and bandhgalas. The groom typically chooses colours and styles to complement the bride’s Mehendi attire.
Jewellery & Accessories
In Haryana Weddings, the jewellery worn by the bride and groom at their Mehendi ceremony combines traditional designs, modern styles and personal tastes. The bride may choose conventional pieces like a gold Maangtikka, Haar, and Jhumkas for her traditional silk saree or salwar kameez. If she has opted for an Indo-western look, her jewellery will include more eclectic pendants, chokers, earrings, and bracelets to blend with the style. Several brides in Haryana are also opting for floral jewellery. From fresh flowers to artificial flowers, a bride can choose from a wide variety of floral jewellery for her Mehendi function.
Image Credits
Aurus Jewels | Zankyou | Book an Event | Wedding Bazaar | Wedding Wire | Zankyou Weddings | Shadiwish | Wedding Wire | India Melon | India Times | Zankyou weddings | Desh Videsh | Aapno Ghar | Wedmegood | Pinterest