Girls and Ladies in India have been traditionally applying Mehndi (henna), a form of ancient body art. Now, Mehndi is used by girls and ladies on special occasions like marriages etc. The picture shows a Mehndi design on the hands of a bride wherein the characters created by mehndi tell the story of an Indian marriage ritual (groom putting sindoor on bride's forehead). It is also a belief that the darker the color mehndi leaves on the hands on a Bride, the more will she be loved by her Husband.