Mehndi, Eid-ul-Azha, Karachi

Mehndi, Eid-ul-Azha, Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Date: 9th December, 2008.

Location: Karachi, Pakistan.

Via Flickr:
A Muslim girl shoes her hand - but hides her face - to reveal beautiful mehndi on the occasion of Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Azha, also known as Eid-e-Qurban. On this day, Haj in Makkah comes to an end and the slaughter of halal animals (lamb, goat, cow, camel) commences. Across the world Muslims, who can purchase the animal, celebrate Eid starting from Eid prayers and then slaughtering their animals, as per Islamic injunctions. This Eid is for three days and depends on the lunar calendar.

[This is my sister showing her exquisite mehndi. Applying mehndi in Pakistan may cost you anywhere between Rs.30 and Rs.15,000 / hand].

Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr

Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Date: 14th October, 2007.

Via Flickr:
All decked up for Eid-ul-Fitr, a 3-day Islamic festival celebrated at the end of the Holy month of Ramadan.

A Muslim girl displays her Eid best. It is tradition in many Muslim countries that woman, whether married or un-married, cover their hands with dark pigment called mehndi (in Urdu & Hindi languages) or Henna (in English). Most of them also wear colourful, matching bangles, and buy trendy clothes and shoes.

[One of my most favourite photographs. It is a cultural image and is now available for sale at Getty Images]

Eid-ul-Fitr mehndi, Karachi

Eid-ul-Fitr mehndi, Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

My sister's Eid mehndi. This itself is an art form. Charges: Rs.400.

Mehndi: Hand design patterns

Mehndi: Hand design patterns
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

This is my most viewed photograph at Flickr.com. As of today it has views over 37,000.