If you are looking for the perfect compliment to your summer tan — and festival spirit — look no further than the talented henna artists (available during the day until the end of August) outside of Mystique India (10634 Whyte Ave.)! These fabulous ladies use a mix of crushed henna powder, eucalyptus, cloves, and essential oils to create a paste that naturally dyes your skin leaving behind a beautiful design for up to two weeks.
Traditionally — in India and other parts of Asia — elaborate henna designs are put on the hands and feet of women a few days before their wedding. Tradition states that for as long as the designs are still visible the new wife does not have to do any housework. Once the designs wear away however, the ‘honeymoon’ period is over, and her role as a housewife begins.
Though traditionally reserved for women in the east, here in Canada, both men and women seem to embrace this form of body decoration. According to henna artist Miranda (pictured), she often puts tribal designs on the shoulders and backs of her male customers.
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A travelling FREE public exhibit of ancient and sacred relics from the historical Buddha, and great Buddha masters from India, Tibet, Korea and China, will be on display in Edmonton on Friday, August 9 from 6 pm – 8 pm; Saturday, August 10 from 10 am – 7 pm; and Sunday, August 11 from 10 am to 5 pm. The relics — eight of which belong to the Dalai Lama and are 2,500 years old! — will be located at Edmonton City Hall (1 Sir Winston Churchill Square). It is a rare opportunity to view these relics outside of Asia, and there will also be a life-size golden statue of the Maitreya Buddha on display. The tour was created in 2001, and has visited 67 countries to date.
