Image Credits: Aashi Mehendi Artist, Manraj Henna (R)

Getting beautiful Mehndi designs etched on your hands and feet is so much more than just a normal Indian custom. Back in the day, when we were schoolgirls, we would patiently wait for the festive season to run to a mehndi artist sitting with his book full of mehndi in a nearby market to drench our tiny hands in the beauty of henna. We would watch the beautiful hands and legs of our mother and other aunts at home in awe on occasions like Karwa Chauth and Diwali.

In Indian families, we celebrate every occasion, every wedding, and every festive ritual or offering with the touch of henna in our hands. In time, wearing mehndi has been categorised as a symbol of 'Solah Shringar' in Indian women and has always been crowned as the 'auspicious mark' to celebrate traditions or a new beginning. The ever-evolving role of Mehndi reached new heights when it became more than just a tradition to be followed. With the skilled hands of creative mehndi artists at work, women can now get beautiful stories documenting the journey of their love etched in their hands for their wedding day.