Many women in Jaipur put on mehndi for Navratri, usually once, before the nights that matter most. The trouble is timing. Mehndi is at its darkest a day or two after it is applied, and it needs hours of hands-off time while the paste dries, which is hard to find in a festival week.
Here is how to plan it so the colour peaks when you want it to.
Which day to put it on
| If you want it for | Apply on the evening of | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The first nights of garba | Sat 10 Oct | Dark by Day 1 and Day 2 |
| Ashtami and kanya pujan | Fri 16 or Sat 17 Oct | Deepest on 18 October |
| Navami and Dussehra | Sat 17 Oct | Still rich on 19 and 20 October |
Designs that suit garba
- Lighter, open patterns. Dry faster, which matters when you have an evening to get to, and look graceful in photographs of moving hands.
- Front of the hands only. Quicker and less to protect if you are going straight from mehndi to cooking or puja.
- Full front and back. The festive choice, and the one most people mean when they say Navratri mehndi. Plan an evening for it.
- Something personal. A small motif, a name or a goddess figure takes longer. Mention it when you book so the time is planned.
Bring two or three reference photos. It is faster than describing a pattern, and we will tell you honestly how long each would take.
Getting the colour dark
- Clean, dry hands, no creamOil or lotion on the skin stops the paste from staining properly.
- Leave the paste on as long as you canSeveral hours, ideally overnight. Longer contact gives a deeper stain.
- Keep water off it at firstScrape the dried paste off instead of washing it, and keep hands away from water for the first few hours.
- Expect it to deepenIt starts orange and darkens over the next day or two. Do not judge it in the first hour.
Our guide on how long mehndi lasts explains what affects the colour and how to keep it longer.
Fitting it around a festival week
- Do any manicure first. Mehndi goes on after nail work, not before.
- Eat before you sit. Full hands take about 90 minutes, and you cannot use them for a while after.
- If you are hosting kanya pujan, apply it two evenings before, so the paste is long gone by the morning you cook.
- If several people in the house want mehndi, tell us the number when booking so the evening can be planned.
What it costs
| Service | Menu price | Navratri price (10% off) |
|---|---|---|
| Mehndi, Full Hands (front and back) | ₹999 | ₹899 |
| Manicure (basic) | ₹349 | ₹314 |
Tell us which day you want the colour at its best and share a reference design. We will suggest the evening to apply it and confirm a slot.
Common questions
When should I apply mehndi for Navratri?
One or two evenings before the day you want it darkest. For Ashtami on 18 October, apply it on the evening of 16 or 17 October.
How much is mehndi at home in Jaipur?
Full hands, front and back, starts at ₹999 and takes about 90 minutes. With the Navratri 10% offer it is ₹899 for appointments from 11 to 19 October 2026.
Which mehndi design is best for garba?
Lighter, open patterns dry faster and look graceful on moving hands. Full front and back is the more festive choice if you have an evening for it.
How do I make mehndi colour darker?
Apply on clean hands without cream, keep the paste on as long as you can, scrape it off instead of washing, and keep water off for the first few hours.
Should I do mehndi before or after a manicure?
After. Mehndi needs dry hands for hours, so finish nail work first.
Book what this guide covers
Full price lists and details for the services discussed here.
