In Indian culture, the sixteen adornments (Solah Shringar) hold special significance, and 'Mahavar' (a red dye applied to the feet) is one of them. A bride's adornment is considered incomplete without alta (another name for Mahavar). Whether it's an auspicious occasion or a festival, applying Mahavar to women's feet is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. However, you may have noticed that when Mahavar is applied to the feet of unmarried girls, their heels are not joined together; that is, the back part of the heel is left open. Let's understand the religious reason behind this.

Symbol of Completeness
According to religious beliefs, joining the heels with Mahavar is a symbol of 'completeness'. An unmarried girl is considered a treasure of her father's house, and she leaves that home to go to another. Not joining the heels signifies that the girl's life is not yet complete, and she will begin her new life after marriage.

Beginning of a New Life
Before marriage, the unjoined heels indicate that the girl is still bound by the customs and traditions of her parental home. On the wedding day, when her heels are joined with Mahavar for the first time, it symbolizes that she is now bound in a new relationship and her married life is about to begin.

Symbol of Good Fortune and Marital Bliss
For married women, joined heels with Mahavar are considered a symbol of their 'eternal marital bliss'. It is believed that the joined heels represent the unbreakable bond between husband and wife and the completeness of their life together. However, since an unmarried girl is not yet married, she is prohibited from joining her heels with Mahavar.

Benefits of Applying Mahavar
Applying Mahavar is not just a matter of beauty; it also has several benefits:

Cooling effect - Mahavar cools the feet, which reduces mental stress.
Skin protection - Traditional Mahavar contained many medicinal properties, which helped in treating cracked heels and other foot problems.

Respect for Culture and Tradition
In Indian traditions, every small ritual has a solid reason and sentiment behind it. Not joining the heels while applying henna is not just a tradition, but a way of respecting the culture and traditions associated with a girl's transition from one stage of life to another. This is why, even today, in some regions, elders strictly enforce this rule.

PC Social Media