Mehendi Ri Mehendi

world. The earliest evidence of henna application on the body appears in Egyptian mummies whose hair and nails were stained with the reddish brown tones of henna. Botanists believe the henna plant, Lawsonia inermis, originated in Egypt and was carried regularly to India where it was used since at least 700 AD for decorating hands and feet. Historically henna has also been used for medicinal purposes, to dye cloth and leather as well as hair, to color the manes of horses and other fur of other animals. The henna plant's cooling properties, popularized skin painting and hair dying among the desert people to regulate their body temperature. For centuries mehndi has been practiced in Africa, India, Asia, the Middle East, and Central Eurasia for various ceremonies and celebrations. Mehndi in Indian tradition is typically applied during special Hindu weddings and Hindu festivals like Karva Chauth, Vat Purnima, Diwali, Bhai Dooj and Teej. Muslims also apply Mehendi during their festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. Today mehndi is still practiced in many diverse ways, from eccentric body decoration, to healing ceremonies.