Henna or Alta?

Post date: May 15, 2014 2:31:15 AM

Namaste and welcome to the indian blog. Today we will talk about henna, and how its more popular than alta. Henna, also known as mehndi, is a paste that when applied to skin and left to dry, creates a temporary tattoo that stains black, orange, brown or red. The henna plant or its uses were not originally indian but instead arab! What was used in older india was alta also known as mahawar. Alta does not take hours to dry and is more of a liquid than paste. Alta was traditionally made from nagarvelna(Gujarati), paan(hindi), or betel leaves(english) that had turned red. Nowadays alta is made from chemicals that make the skin stain for more than a month! Whereas traditional alta stains for 5 days. Alta is also still used in bengali cultures where alta on the hands and feet is a common site. Alta is used to decorate hands and feet of men and women who do indian dances. What do you like better? Alta or Henna?

Alta

Mehndi/henna