Henna or Mehndi celebration is a joyful time for all the women in both families. It is of course, most joyful for the bride. There appears to be no religious connection to this celebration but women of all ages enjoy it. For many it brings back memories of their own wedding day. Powdered henna is mixed with tea or water to form a thick green paste. It is then applied in intricate designs on the hands and feet of the bride.

The whole process takes several hours to apply, and then it must sit for many hours more to achieve the deep red color women cherish. Some brides are able to sleep in their henna. Others, no names mentioned, only lasted about 7 hours total :-) Just as women in the western world will not wear white to a wedding in order to focus all attention on the bride, Indian women will not allow their henna designs to get darker or more intricate than the brides.

Also known as Uptan, the haldi ceremony takes place for both the bride and groom, each in their own homes. Haldi is known to the western world as turmeric and is often used in cooking. Haldi is mixed usually with rose water and sandalwood to form a thick paste. It softens the skin and leaves it aromatic. It was probably the first cosmetic, with sandalwood paste being a close second. Haldi is also often used as an antiseptic. For the purpose of marriages though, it is spread liberally over the bride and groom's face, hands, feet and anything else left exposed. Traditionally, it was done by a few married women in the family and was a much more solemn time.   Today, Uptan Ceremony is probably one of the funniest if you don't mind getting a little messy. Everyone joins into the fun of smearing their loved one with this thick yellow paste. Of course, being a very light complicated American, my husband's family decided only to smear it on my hands a bit. I guess they decided I would not be very attractive if I was stained a bright yellow for my wedding the next day. My husband, on the other hand, got the full treatment much to the amusement of his family. I must say I enjoyed observing it as well, a privilege that brides usually do not get since they are doing their Uptan ceremony in their own homes.