Ushering in the Indian festive season, Waitakere City's Te Atatu Peninsula library held a Mehendi day earlier this week.

Dozens of women and kids who visited the library got a spot of henna on to their palms and hands as they listened to the significance and the hows and whys of Mehendi and the important part it plays in festivities and celebrations in many of South Asia's cultures.

Application of the brown herbal paste on the palms and forearms is an ancient cosmetic art but the herb also has many properties that are good for the skin.

The art of Mehendi has now scaled new heights with great emphasis on intricate filigree-like designs using finely pointed cones and tips that could several hours to be completed.

Mehendi is now an integral part of Indian festivities and a number of Indian stores around Auckland not just sell Mehendi but also provide services to apply it on festive occasions.

The Te Atatu Library has been holding the Mehendi events for a few years now and has turned out to be very popular in the area with several kids sporting the distinctive coloured designs on their palms.