Shrawan, the fourth month of the Bikram Sambat calendar, is a sacred month for Hindus in Nepal. Considered the ‘month of Shiva’, devotees pay visit to holy shrines across Nepal. Traditionally, Hindu bachelorettes fast every Monday of the month for a husband whose characteristics are as close as possible to what is depicted of Lord Shiva, and married women fast for the wellbeing of their family.

With changing times though, Shrawan has become more than just the month of Shiva or the devotees. It has become a month of vibrant colours—greens, yellows, and reds—that women take on all over the country. Shrawan has also become synonymous to Mehendi—a form of decorative body art made using a henna paste.

In this spirit, Open Space Network organised Namaste Mehendi Convention 2018 to welcome Shrawan at the Civil Mall in the Capital on Monday. The event, which happens

to be the second iteration of the convention, brought together women from various cultural and religious backgrounds to preserve and promote the tradition of Mehendi.

The Mehendi Convention featured around 10 different stalls where various henna artists experimented their art form on participants.