Mehendi tambola is the perfect game for an evening when half the guests have wet henna on their hands. Print up to 600 unique mehendi tambola tickets in deep green with a leaf on every one, then call the numbers and give prizes such as the Bel Line, the Paisley Line and the Dark Mehendi Full House. The pack has a caller sheet, a prize list and a rules page, and you can play it live on phones, with no pens needed.
Mehendi tambola to print (PDF)
These four pages show a mehendi tambola set: a page of tickets titled “Mehendi Night, Priya & Karan”, the 1 to 90 caller sheet, the prize list with the henna prize names and the one-page rules. Click a picture for the PDF, or use the generator at the top of the page to change the title, the date, the paper size and the number of tickets.
What is in the mehendi tambola pack
Everything below is made in your browser, and nothing you type is uploaded. Put the names of the couple in the title box so the tickets match the invitation.
| Page | What you get | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tickets | Real strips of six: each strip uses every number from 1 to 90 exactly once | Up to 600 tickets, deep green with a leaf motif and henna-brown trim, with your title and the couple’s names on every ticket |
| Caller sheet | A 1 to 90 grid to cross off as you call | Keep it to check every winning claim |
| Prize list | The six mehendi prizes, from Cone Five to Dark Mehendi Full House | Space to write each prize and the winning ticket number |
| Rules page | A one-page script to read out before the first number | Covers claims and what happens after a wrong one |
Mehendi tambola prizes and what they mean
The mehendi theme names each prize after a part of the art, so reading the list out loud makes the game feel like part of the ceremony. Here is what each prize means and how to win it:
| Prize | How to win | Mehendi link |
|---|---|---|
| Cone Five | Early Five: the first five numbers marked on a ticket | The cone of henna paste is where every design starts |
| Bel Line | Top Line: all five numbers on the top row | A bel is a trailing vine, the classic pattern on the fingers and wrist |
| Paisley Line | Middle Line: all five numbers on the middle row | The paisley, or mango, shape is a favorite in henna art |
| Chooda Line | Bottom Line: all five numbers on the bottom row | The chooda is the set of bangles the bride wears after the henna |
| Four Designs | Corners: the first and last number of the top and bottom rows | A different design for each corner of the ticket |
| Dark Mehendi Full House | Full House: all fifteen numbers marked | A dark stain is traditionally a sign of good luck |
Number calls for your mehendi tambola
Henna has its own numbers, from the hours it stays on the skin to the days it lasts. These calls turn the numbers into small facts about the art:
| Number | Call it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The hidden initial | Many brides have the groom’s name hidden in the design, and he has to find it |
| 2 | Two hands | Bridal henna covers both hands and often the feet |
| 5 | Five fingers | Each finger has its own pattern |
| 6 | Six hours | Henna paste is usually left on for at least four to six hours |
| 10 | Ten fingers | A full set of fingertip designs |
| 14 | Fourteen days | A good henna stain can last one to three weeks |
| 24 | Twenty-four hours | The stain keeps darkening for about a day after the paste is removed |
| 48 | Forty-eight hours | Many people see the darkest color two days after the henna |
How long does a mehendi tambola game last?
A mehendi tambola should fit while the henna is drying, so it helps to know how long a game runs. The table shows when each prize is usually won and how many minutes the whole game takes at the default speed of 10 seconds a call.
| Tickets | Typical crowd | Early Five | First full line | Full House | Time at 10 s a call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 tickets | a small family mehendi | call 14 (12 to 17) | call 43 (36 to 49) | call 76 (71 to 78) | 13 min |
| 30 tickets | a mehendi night with cousins | call 12 (10 to 14) | call 36 (31 to 41) | call 72 (69 to 75) | 12 min |
| 60 tickets | a mehendi and sangeet evening | call 11 (9 to 12) | call 31 (26 to 36) | call 69 (66 to 72) | 12 min |
| 90 tickets | a big joint celebration | call 10 (9 to 11) | call 29 (25 to 33) | call 68 (64 to 70) | 11 min |
The numbers come from real simulations of this generator: 300 games for each ticket count, with the typical call number and the middle half of results in brackets. More tickets mean the first prizes arrive sooner, but with 12 to 90 tickets the Full House still comes around call 68 to 76, because someone must complete all fifteen numbers. Henna takes about four to six hours to set, so you can play a game of tambola in the middle of the evening.
Mehndi games and mehendi ceremony games for guests with henna
Mehndi games have to work for guests who cannot use their hands. Tambola is perfect, because a helper can mark the numbers for a guest who has fresh henna, or the guest can use the live game on a phone with a knuckle. It also works for the bride, who will spend hours with her hands in the artist’s lap and needs something to do. Mehendi ceremony games like this one keep the evening lively without smudging the art.
Mehndi night games for cousins and friends
For mehndi night games, mix a seated game with a dance break. Start with tambola while the artists work, add a round of antakshari, and finish with a short dance when the henna is dry. A small prize for every game keeps the energy up.
Mehendi kitty: ladies’ circle henna parties
A mehendi kitty is a ladies’ party where a henna artist comes to the host’s house and every guest gets a small design. Tambola is the natural game for the waiting time, and the prizes can be henna cones or a set of bangles. For the festival background, see Wikipedia’s mehndi article.
How to run a mehendi tambola in six steps
- A week before: book the henna artist and decide the six prizes.
- Print: type the names of the couple into the title box and print the tickets, the caller sheet and the prize list.
- At the party: give each guest a ticket and a pen, and ask a helper to mark the numbers for guests with wet henna.
- Before the first number: read the prize list and explain the henna names.
- During the game: call a number every 10 seconds, and pause when a guest’s design is finished.
- After the game: check each win against the caller sheet and hand out the prizes.
Prize ideas for a mehendi tambola
- A henna cone or a small tube of henna for the Cone Five
- A set of colored bangles for the Bel Line and the Paisley Line
- A tube of lemon-and-sugar sealant or a scented oil for the Chooda Line
- A small mirror or a clutch for the Four Designs
- A bigger gift, such as a pouch set or a gift card, for the Dark Mehendi Full House
Type any of these into the “Extra fun prizes” box and they print on the prize list:
- Groom’s Initial: the first guest to mark the number 1
- Ten Fingers: the first to mark the number 10
- Dark Stain: the first to mark the number 48
- Best Design: a bonus prize for the guest with the best henna, no ticket needed
Host tips for a smooth game
- Offer a helper to mark the tickets for guests who have wet henna, and keep tissues nearby.
- Use the live game on phones for the bride, so that she does not need a pen.
- Print the tickets in large size (3 per page), so that numbers are easy to see from a distance.
- Keep the tickets away from the henna paste, because the paste stains paper.
Wikipedia’s mehndi article describes the history of henna art, the patterns and the ceremonies around it.
Play mehendi tambola live on phones
Press Create game in the live game below, share the link and every guest opens a different e-ticket on their phone. Numbers are called automatically at the speed you choose, read aloud in English or Hindi if you like, and you can check any winning claim by ticket number. No app and no sign-up. It is especially helpful at a mehendi, because a guest with wet henna can tap a number with a knuckle or ask a friend to tap it.
Mehendi tambola: frequently asked questions
What are good mehendi ceremony games?
Seated games such as tambola and antakshari work best, because guests with wet henna cannot move their hands. Add a quiz about the couple for a longer evening.
Can I play mehendi tambola without pens?
Yes. Use the live game on a phone, or ask a helper to mark the numbers. The tickets are printed with large numbers, so they are easy to follow.
How long does henna take to dry?
Most henna paste needs four to six hours to set, and the stain keeps darkening for about a day after the paste is removed. Plan games for the waiting time.
How many tickets can I print?
From 1 to 600 in one go, with 3, 6, 8 or 12 tickets per page. Press New tickets for a completely different set, and choose Letter or A4 paper, in color or black and white.
Are the mehendi tambola tickets free?
Yes. The tickets, caller sheet, prize list, rules page and live game are all free for home, club and classroom use, with no sign-up.