Cuttack, June 12: As the Raja festival approaches, the demand for mehendi artists has increased significantly across cities in Odisha. From Arabic and floral patterns to traditional Rajasthani designs, women and girls are eagerly booking artists to adorn their hands with intricate mehendi artwork.

With mehendi emerging as a popular festive trend in recent years, artists are leveraging social media platforms to showcase their designs and attract customers. Many artists report receiving bookings nearly 15 days before the festival, reflecting the growing enthusiasm surrounding Raja celebrations.

A wide range of mehendi styles, including Arabic, Indian Traditional, Bridal, Mandala, Rajasthani, and Floral designs, are in high demand. Traditional Raja-themed designs have gained particular popularity, with customers requesting motifs such as Raja swings and even personalized portraits incorporated into the artwork. Floral patterns featuring elaborate flower motifs are also among the favorites.

To celebrate the festival, groups of young women often gather in neighborhoods and community spaces, inviting mehendi artists to create designs for them. Charges for hand mehendi typically range from ₹300 to ₹1,000, depending on the complexity of the design.

Another growing trend is the use of Alata Pattern designs, which combine traditional alata with mehendi and are applied to the feet. Artists charge between ₹300 and ₹500 for these designs.

Mehendi artist Swapnajit Behera said that festival-themed artwork has become increasingly popular among customers. He travels to several districts, including Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Kendrapara, and Jajpur, to meet the rising demand for Raja-themed mehendi designs.

Bhagyashree Behera, a mehendi artist with eight years of experience, said she applies mehendi for nearly 30 to 40 customers every day during the festive season. According to her, artists often work in groups and deploy team members based on the number of bookings received at different locations.

With Raja festivities around the corner, the flourishing mehendi business continues to add color and creativity to the celebrations, providing both artistic expression and livelihood opportunities for skilled artisans.