The 'Bindi'

Just like 'Namaste', the bindi is something that is immediately associated with India. Known by various names locally, like bottu, tilak, teeka etc. the bindi, is a special symbol in Hinduism. Normally a bright red dot on the forehead, the bindi has other variations. It is sported by men and women, though it is usually associated with women.

The spot between the two eyebrows is believed to be a pivotal center of energy flow, which if  kept covered with a Bindi helps to keep the energy in. 

The bindi is also a symbol of matrimony. Married Hindu women traditionally wear a round red bindi . It is considered a symbol of auspiciousness. When a married woman visits, the hostess offers her haldi (turmeric powder) and kumkum (red powder) to put on her forehead at the time of departure. It is a gesture of goodwill and best wishes, symbolically wishing her the best in her family life. Offering of Haldi-kumkum is a very important tradition, and during Navratri festival women visit each other, wearing festive clothes, to receive and give haldi-kumkum. Great joy is derived from this ritual and it is considered a privilege to be invited to a haldi-kumkum event. 

In many parts of North India a red tilak (vertical bindi shaped like a droplet of water) is often applied to the forehead of a man, especially a bridegroom, as a sign of welcome. This tradition has now been adopted by many five star hotels in India to welcome guests! A tilak is also applied when bidding farewell. In the olden days when men used to go to the battlefield, the mothers (or wives) would apply a tilak and pray for their victory and safe return.

On special occasions a bindi of sandalwood is applied, topped with a smaller bindi made with red kumkum powder. Male and female devotees of Lord Vishnu often wear a longish, vertical bindi. Male worshippers of Lord Shiva wear three lines of vibhuti or holy ash horizontally with a red dot in the center, and the women wear a red dot.

Kumkum is used as an offering in many pooja rituals. Once offered to the deity, the kumkum is then distributed to all present as prasad, to be applied on the forehead as a bindi.

The kumkum powder that my mother used to use for her bindi was made from turmeric, which is known for its antiseptic properties. It is the best kind to use. She would put a dot of oil or water on her forehead and then, with her ring finger, delicately put some kumkum powder on it, coaxing it gently to form a perfect circle. I still remember how the fingers of her right hand would be stained a delicate saffron color from the kumkum that she would use for her bindi and her pooja rituals. 

Bindis these days have taken on a whole new look! They have become a fashion accessory and come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and colors, some embellished with shining gems and beads. They have an adhesive backing which makes them easy to use (and lose!) Turmeric and sandalwood have medicinal properties which, I am sure, had something to do with the origin of this practice of applying them to the body in the form of a bindi. The adhesive variety, however, have no such claim to fame and are only for decoration. In fact, the adhesive backing sometimes causes skin irritation! 

When there is a death in the family, women in the household refrain from wearing a bindi, usually for 13 days, as a sign of mourning. In the olden days widows were forbidden from wearing a bindi. But things have changed now and many of them continue to wear a bindi, most often the adhesive variety.

If one were to play a game of word associations and ask someone to name the first thing that comes to their mind when they hear the words 'Indian woman', I bet the hands-down winner will be -'bindi'! 

Thanks for reading!

Meera Sharma
hindushlokasforkids.blogspot.com