Ceremonies & Traditions

What is Roka?

Roka is a North Indian pre-engagement ceremony at which the two families formally agree to the match and exchange gifts and blessings. It is an intimate event, and any mehendi worn is usually simple and minimal.

Roka explained

Roka often comes months before the wedding. Brides usually choose small Arabic, finger or minimal designs rather than full coverage.

For many families it is the first occasion on which the couple are celebrated together, so a small hidden initial in the design is a popular touch.

Also searched as: roka ceremony · rokka · thaka ceremony

Mehendi designs related to roka

Minimal Mehendi

Minimal mehendi is a clean, small-scale style - a single motif, a fine vine or a few finger bands - that keeps most of the hand bare and takes only minutes to apply.

Arabic Mehendi

Arabic mehendi is a free-flowing henna style built from bold floral and leaf trails that run diagonally across the hand, leaving generous areas of bare skin between motifs.

Related mehendi terms

SagaiSagai, also called mangni, is the Hindu engagement ceremony where the couple exchange rings and families formally agree to the marriage. Brides usually wear a lighter mehendi design than for the wedding itself.Guest MehendiGuest mehendi is the quicker, lighter mehendi applied to family and friends at a wedding, mehendi function or festival - typically half-hand Arabic, Indo-Western or minimal designs that take 10-30 minutes per person.Mehendi CeremonyThe mehendi ceremony is a pre-wedding function, usually held one or two days before the wedding, at which the bride's hands and feet are decorated with henna while family and friends celebrate with music, dance and food.Shagun MehendiShagun mehendi is the first, auspicious touch of henna given to the bride or groom - often a single dot or small circle on the palm, applied by a mother, mother-in-law or elder - before the main design begins.

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