On July 18th in the Hindu tradition especially during Shrawan (Sawan), the sacred month devoted to Lord Shiva applying mehendi (henna) plays both cultural and spiritual roles. Women and girls decorate their hands and feet with intricate henna design, symbolizing love, beauty and protection. The darker the henna stain, the stronger the bond between loved ones. Mehendi is an auspicious element during shrawan, particularly on Monday, when devotees worship Lord Shiva. Women and girls wear green attire, bangles and apply mehendi to seek blessings. The vibrant display of henna and colorful bangles reflects the joy and celebration of the month. Some believe that wearing green and applying henna during shrawan balances emotions and brings wisdom, prosperity and happiness.
At Patan Children’s Home, the children celebrated by applying mehendi, each child had a henna cone applied on their hand. Some older children took the cone themselves, practicing simple designs of petals, dots, and curves applied onthe hand of younger children and then after the henna got dried they wore green bangles with a lot of joy.
Children not only enjoyed the artistic process but also developed fine skills and hand–eye coordination. Through designing their own mehendi patterns, children explored the creativity, symmetry, and visual aesthetics. As they decorate their hands, children hear stories about the holy month of Shrawan, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati—the spiritual context of the tradition. This experiential learning helps them connect with heritage, appreciate symbolic color meanings (like green for renewal). Children learned cultural meaning, and participated in devotional practice. They felt connected to cultural identity, biodiversity symbolism, and expressed unity within them.
At Patan Children’s Home, even simple celebrations blossom into meaningful learning experiences. On Shrawan 2, the Mehendi Day observance reminded us that embracing our cultural traditions helps nurture values of beauty, connection, and belonging. As children adorned their hands with mehendi, wore green bangles, and engaged in creative expression. We believe that instilling these values today encourages a future rooted in confidence, creativity, and a deep appreciation for our heritage.
