Alta (dye)
alta bengali আলতা lakshaya rasa alah mahavar red dye applied hand foot woman mainly indian subcontinent applied cotton swab brush hand foot marriage ceremony festival alta originally produced soaked betel leaf although today mainly replaced synthetic dye early mention alta come upanishad known lakshaya rasa meaning redlac dye pigment derived lac resin one sixteen adornment woman known solahshringar alta great cultural significance bengali culture regardless religious belief bengali woman traditionally adorn hand foot alta marriage cultural festival like pahela baishakh pahela falgun others wearing alta durga pooja common ritual odia bengali woman alta also significant odisha commonly seen worn odissi classical dancer hand foot performing especially prevalent raja mithun sanakranti threeday festival celebrating womanhood menstruation festival part ritual woman apply alta foot symbolising fertility auspiciousness alta turmeric also applied marriage odia culture nepal known alah important part wedding religious ritual festival henna mehndi masonjoany kumkum sindoor