Indian Accessories

In olden times both Indian men and women used to wear garlands as a part of the evening dress. This custom was followed by a practice, painting the forehead with a bindi or tilaka known as ‘Visesakachhedya’. Also, leafy bindis, thin and tender leaves cut into different shapes, were

placed the forehead. Leafy bindis, known as other names such as ‘Patrachhedya’, ‘Patralekha’, ‘Patrabhanga’, or ‘Patramanjari’, were also pasted on the neck, palm, chin, breast and other parts of the body, decorated by sandal paste and other natural ingredients.

Religious significance: The central area between the eyebrows, where the bindi is placed, is supposed to be the sixth charka or ajna the seat of “hidden wisdom”. According to beliefs this chakra is the exit point for kundalini energy. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration and to protect the lady and her family from demons or misfortune..

Myths and Significance: The vermilion, used to make bindis, is called ‘sindoor or ‘sindoora’ meaning red and representing Shakti or strength. Bindi also stands up for love; the red dot on the forehead gives a special charm to the lady’s face that attracts her lover. Sindoor and yellow turmeric are kept in temples and during celebrations, as a good omen. This represents intellect and is very special in temples dedicated to Hindu Gods Shakti, Lakshmi and Vishnu.

Sindoor in Scriptures: The significance of ‘Sindoor’ and ‘kumkum’ differs on different occasions. The practice of placing kumkum on foreheads has been highlighted in Puranas (ancient texts) like Lalitha Sahasranamam and Soundarya Lahhari. Importance of kumkum is emphasized in Indian religious texts, epics, scriptures etc…In legends we see Radha, sweetheart of Lord Krishna, turning her bindi on her forehead into a flame-like design and Draupadi, wife of Pandavas removing her bindi from her forehead in sorrow and disillusion in the epic Mahabharata. Red bindi is associated with the ancient ritual of offering blood sacrifices to please Gods. An ancient Aryan bridegroom used to make a bindi on the bride’s forehead on wedding day. When an Indian woman becomes a widow she stops wearing kumkum. When there is a death in the family the women do not wear bindi as an indication of mourning.