Alta (dye)

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title: "Alta (dye)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["culture-of-india", "indian-wedding-traditions", "culture-of-bangladesh", "bangladeshi-wedding-traditions", "festivals-of-bangladeshi-culture", "culture-of-bengal", "festivals-in-india", "bengali-hindu-cultures"] description: "Red dye applied to hands and feet during weddings and festivals" topic_path: "geography/india" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alta_(dye)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Red dye applied to hands and feet during weddings and festivals ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Hand_of_Bride.jpg" caption="A bride's hand adorned with ''alta'' on her ''[[gaye holud]]'' ceremony" alt="A bride's hand on her Gaye Holud, Bangladesh"] ::

Alta (Bhojpuri: 𑂄𑂪𑂞𑂰, ), lakshaya rasa, alah, parani, vasantam or mahavar is a red dye mainly used in the Indian subcontinent to tint the hands and feet of women as a cultural practice. It is usually applied with a cotton swab or brush during wedding ceremonies and festivals.

Natural alta is produced from red lac, although today it is mainly replaced with synthetic dyes.

Early history

Early mention of alta comes from Upanishads where it is known as lakshaya rasa meaning red-lac dye pigment derived from lac resin as one of sixteen adornments of woman known as solah-shringar.

Cultural significance

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Feet-in-alta.jpg" caption="A ceremony welcoming the newly wed bride to her new home, with the feet dipped in a mixture of milk and ''alta''"] ::

Alta has great cultural significance in Bengali, Bhojpuri and Odia culture Regardless of religious beliefs, women traditionally adorn their hands and feet with alta for marriage and cultural festivals like Pohela Baishakh, Pohela Falgun and others. Wearing alta on Durga Puja is a common ritual for Odia and Bengali women.[[File:Odissi Performance DS.jpg|thumb|Odissi classical dancer wearing alta on her hands and feet]]

It can be commonly seen worn by Odissi classical dancers on hands and feet while performing. It is applied to women's feet as an auspicious symbol during Raja (Mithun Sankranti), which is a three-day festival celebrating womanhood (menstruation).

It is known as parani in south India and in a very diluted form Parani is also known as vasantam, meaning spring. It is worn by women and children on festive occasions, and also by Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam dancers.

In Nepal it is known as alah and it is an important part of weddings, religious rituals and festivals.

References

References

1. link. Kaler Kantho. (6 November 2019)
2. link
3. "Bengali Hindu Wedding - Rituals, Customs, Dress, Food".
4. "Newari girls participate in mass Bel Bibaha [with photos]".
5. Shrestha, Shreeya. (November 2017). "An Elaborate Ritual called Marriage".
6. (2 September 2014). "A sacred dye to return". Down To Earth.
7. (18 September 2023). "Alta : The Red Indian Dye and its Significance".
8. (16 January 2023). "“dhon” makes a case for the traditional alta in the brand's latest campaign".
9. link. Kaler Kantho. (6 November 2019)
10. link
11. প্রামাণিক, কল্লোল. "পায়ে আলতা পরিয়ে শুভলগ্ন রাঙিয়ে তোলেন তিনি".
12. "দাও গায়ে হলুদ, পায়ে আলতা".
13. "Learn How Bengali Mehndi Blends Simplicity, Authenticity and Ethnicity on the Wedding Day".
14. link. The Daily Ittefaq
15. "আলতা পরা পায়ে".
16. "বৈশাখী উন্মাদনার ঢেউ শাবিতে".
17. (17 November 2016). "Alta Dye: Bright Red Liquid Color Used to Adorn Palms and Feet".
18. "Odisha Tourism : Raja, A Festival Of Fun, Frolic and Mouthwatering Delicacies".
19. (8 April 2024). "Altha : Also Known As Parani For Legs A Cherished & Cheerful Telugu Tradition".
20. (29 July 2023). "The Allure of Alta: A Symbol of Prosperity, Reimagined As A Fashion Accessory".

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