The Haldi ceremony came into being as a purification (and beautification) ritual to ensure that the bride and groom 'glow' before they step up for the ceremony. The bitter turmeric root is touted for its medicinal prowess everywhere - it adds flavor, acts as an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral ingredient to Ayurvedic medicines and is even known for its anti-depressant properties. And so, over time, it became a stand-in as a herbal beauty and medicinal ritual during the umpteen preparations for one's big day.

​Laughter, leg-pulling, camaraderie and the pungent, tangy whiff of turmeric in the air - a Haldi ceremony is all this and more. Either held on the wedding day or coupled with the Mehndi, the Haldi is a dash of heady fun with family, alongside the sometimes-emotional chords that a Shaadi often evokes. Here, we pay homage to its yellow shades and talk about the significance of the ceremony, alongside a few ideas to make it count!

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