Popular Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha recently married Zaheer Iqbal in a traditional manner, and the ceremony was attended by only close relations. The couple also had a grand reception held in Mumbai where all big shots of Bollywood were witnessed, including but not limited to Rekha, Salman Khan, Kajol, Aditi Rao Hydari, and many more. Sonakshi wears beautifully elaborate wedding attire that makes her look like a beautiful new bride amidst her wedding outfits. However, what looked more stunning was the traditional alta on her hands instead of the typical mehendi most brides opt for.
Most modern brides in South Asia, at present, wear bridal costumes that follow traditions yet give a glossy touch of modernism. Recently wed Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha has also been adhering to this trend, so following it, she opted for them for her wedding. Posting a traditional affair with a modern touch, she wore her mother’s saree as opposed to the traditional lehenga when she wed Zaheer Iqbal. The most striking feature discussed was the color alta, which is a red dye, on the hands instead of henna. Such a decision was linked to Indian culture and looked really beautiful and very personal for the bride-to-be.
Alta, also known as Mahavar, is a red-colored substance that is usually washed on hands and feet before occasions like pujas and other ceremonies, marriage ceremonies, and religious events. It is also used to come to Alta, a custom that men wear on their feet during marriage ceremonies. A native of the Hindu religion, alta is usually applied with a cotton bud or a spatula, like an applicator, or even with fingers or a brush. This custom is said to be lucky and has a significance of cleanliness or lack of impurity. Alta has been used since Vedic times in India, and it is also depicted in the use of alta, where Lord Krishna is depicted applying red alta on the palms of his beloved Radha.
Actress Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Ibrahim Iqbal dated for around seven years before they tied the knot. Both of them announced it on their Instagram stories, saying that they were happily married after having fallen in love on this very day.
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