HENNA---the art of design on hands and feet called 'mehendi'.

Leaves from the henna tree are plucked and made into paste. This paste is used to decorate the hands and feet in India and Pakistan.Before the designs are made mehendi oil is applied to the skin.After the designs are made the wet mehendi is allowed to dry on the hands or feet.When it is totally dry a combination of lemon juice squeezed in sugar to make a paste is dabbed on with a piece of cotton.For the second time it is allowed to dry after which it is rubbed off dry without water and pure mustard oil is applied liberally.This is the procedure of application.The second step is the color deepening process.After the first ten hours we see an orange changing to a rich deep and dark rust color.Then during the next twelve hours the colour is supposed to become a dark maroon and often nearly purple.It is connected with all auspicious occasions like marriages festivals,'pujas'and parties. There are many things people say about mehendi ----the art of designs on hands and feet.Some have it done on their backs,necks theighs and arms --. There is a very interesting myth attached to this art.People believe that if your lover or husband loves you alot your mehendi will darken more. The darker it gets the more he loves you.So young girls test the love of their boyfriends and the bride judges the love of the groom.The groups of girls from Taipei (Taiwan) enjoyed the henna in lime -villa our guest house for bed and breakfast in Varanasi India.They all put henna on their hands and feet and had fun on the last day.You can book on airbnb.com if you plan a trip,its cheap and very enjoyable.We are waiting.