What is Alta

What is Alta actually means its new for me. I am a Gujarati. Have never heard of Alta. I thought it would have been a Haldi type of thing. But it is red. Is it a tradition to apply Alta in Maharashtra. Is it applied by the dancers. Is it a cosmetic product or natural product like Haldi

I too never heard of Alta before, maybe someone can enlighten us on that😕

But, in my country, there is mahawar - it looks similar to Alta, but I don't know if it is the same. It'a generally applied on the feet of both the bride and the groom on their wedding.

Originally posted by: ..Peppermint..

I too never heard of Alta before, maybe someone can enlighten us on that😕

But, in my country, there is mahawar - it looks similar to Alta, but I don't know if it is the same. It'a generally applied on the feet of both the bride and the groom on their wedding.

Which country do you live in?

Alta

Alta is a bright red dye or liquid color used to adorn palms and feet in simple patterns. Painting the soles with this red liquid dye and adorning the upper foot with elaborate designs to bring out the beauty of the feet, is a common Indian tradition, particularly during religious festivals and weddings.

A common ritual followed by the womenfolk in West Bengal, Alta is also known as Mahavar, which is dark pink in color. In fact, a Bengali bride is incomplete if her hands and feet are not adorned with this. In other words, it is another form of putting Mehendi or Heena.

Its application not only enhances the beauty of the feet but also provides a cooling effect to the body.

Origin

The discovery tale is still unexplored; yet again it does have evidence in the Hindu Upanishads on how it became an important element of Indian Hindu Tradition. It has been found as one of the Make-Up stages of ‘Solah Shringar’ or 16 Bridal Adornments. It is also traced back into the mythological depictions of Lord Krishna seen applying Alta on to his beloved Radha’s feet.

Another notable fact about the significance of Alta was that it resembled blood, which is symbolic of fertility and prosperity. However, the Islamic invasion of India brought along with its new customs and traditions – henna or mehendi, being one of them. Due to the increasing influence of Muslim culture, the usage of Alta was slowly replaced by Henna in other parts of India.

The Making

It was traditionally made from betel leaves. Later on, the same was replaced with artificial products like vermillion (Sindoor) or Kumkum (Red Powder) to create similar liquid. In today’s time, the mostly available Alta is made out of lac and other chemical colors.

Rituals of Alta & its influence

It is more prevalent in West Bengal, where a woman devotes as much attention to adorning her feet with Alta as much as she does to her hair and face. Wearing Alta on Durga Puja is a common ritual for Bengali womenfolk.

In few parts of India, it is not only used as an adornment for the feet, but also used to perform an important post-wedding ceremony in which, the bride enters her in-laws home for the first time. Before entering the new house or house of the in-laws, the newly-wedded bride steps into this red dye and then walks inside the home, leaving a trail of her footsteps. This trail indicates that Goddess Lakshmi in the form of the bride has now entered the home.

According to Hindu Mythology, the images and sculptures of the Goddesses, particularly that of Durga and Lakshmi is painted with Alta. The same is for depictions of Krishna and Radha.

Source: Utsavpedia

Originally posted by: Bana

Alta

Alta is a bright red dye or liquid color used to adorn palms and feet in simple patterns. Painting the soles with this red liquid dye and adorning the upper foot with elaborate designs to bring out the beauty of the feet, is a common Indian tradition, particularly during religious festivals and weddings.

Oh woow thank you.

Originally posted by: Bana

Alta

Alta is a bright red dye or liquid color used to adorn palms and feet in simple patterns. Painting the soles with this red liquid dye and adorning the upper foot with elaborate designs to bring out the beauty of the feet, is a common Indian tradition, particularly during religious festivals and weddings.

Thanks for the information, dear! 🤗

Originally posted by: Bana

Alta

Alta is a bright red dye or liquid color used to adorn palms and feet in simple patterns. Painting the soles with this red liquid dye and adorning the upper foot with elaborate designs to bring out the beauty of the feet, is a common Indian tradition, particularly during religious festivals and weddings.

A common ritual followed by the womenfolk in West Bengal, Alta is also known as Mahavar, which is dark pink in color. In fact, a Bengali bride is incomplete if her hands and feet are not adorned with this. In other words, it is another form of putting Mehendi or Heena.

Its application not only enhances the beauty of the feet but also provides a cooling effect to the body.

Origin

The discovery tale is still unexplored; yet again it does have evidence in the Hindu Upanishads on how it became an important element of Indian Hindu Tradition. It has been found as one of the Make-Up stages of ‘Solah Shringar’ or 16 Bridal Adornments. It is also traced back into the mythological depictions of Lord Krishna seen applying Alta on to his beloved Radha’s feet.

Another notable fact about the significance of Alta was that it resembled blood, which is symbolic of fertility and prosperity. However, the Islamic invasion of India brought along with its new customs and traditions – henna or mehendi, being one of them. Due to the increasing influence of Muslim culture, the usage of Alta was slowly replaced by Henna in other parts of India.

The Making

It was traditionally made from betel leaves. Later on, the same was replaced with artificial products like vermillion (Sindoor) or Kumkum (Red Powder) to create similar liquid. In today’s time, the mostly available Alta is made out of lac and other chemical colors.

Rituals of Alta & its influence

It is more prevalent in West Bengal, where a woman devotes as much attention to adorning her feet with Alta as much as she does to her hair and face. Wearing Alta on Durga Puja is a common ritual for Bengali womenfolk.

In few parts of India, it is not only used as an adornment for the feet, but also used to perform an important post-wedding ceremony in which, the bride enters her in-laws home for the first time. Before entering the new house or house of the in-laws, the newly-wedded bride steps into this red dye and then walks inside the home, leaving a trail of her footsteps. This trail indicates that Goddess Lakshmi in the form of the bride has now entered the home.

According to Hindu Mythology, the images and sculptures of the Goddesses, particularly that of Durga and Lakshmi is painted with Alta. The same is for depictions of Krishna and Radha.

Source: Utsavpedia

Thanks for sharing