Indian Accessories

Bindi or a red holy dot traditionally is worn by an Indian Hindu woman on the forehead between the two eyebrows in the belief that Bindi will protect her and her husband. It is believed that

bindi on that spot opens her spiritual third eye. Another version is that the most important chakra is present between the eye brows and the bindi will prevent the loss of energy through that point. Also bindi has a connection with Yoga and Ayurvedic principles.

Bindu is a term derived from the Sanskrit word bindu meaning a dot. The traditional color of bindi is red and it is made with vermilion/ tikka powder. Married women in North India used to wear bindi as a small red dot on their forehead. Red color was believed to bring all the fortune to the bride and her family. The family’s welfare and honor were preserved by the red bindi of the bride. In due course bindi evolved into a fashion accessory and attained various shapes and colors. Girls of all age groups began to wear bindi of different colors and styles. Today the color and shape of the bindi match with the outfit worn by a person. Now bindi has become an indispensable item with saris, salwar suit, lehenga and any other Indian costumes.

Belly dancers use bindi as a beautiful accessory and bindi has an important place in ethnic dance costume and body art. Today bindi is considered as a decorative item and even unmarried and non-Hindu women in India, Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia wear this little gem. Presently, self adhesive bindi known as stickers made of felt or thin metal are available with adhesive on one side. These are simple to apply, disposable substitutes for older tilak bindis. Sticker bindis come in many colors, designs, materials, and sizes. Fancy sticker bindis may be decorated with sequins, glass beads, or rhinestones for extra dazzle.

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.

In ancient India, women used to wear bindi on their foreheads to highlight their marriage status. But today it is not only a fashion statement but has become the most beautiful accessory causing sudden attention. It requires certain skill and practice to achieve a perfect red dot on the forehead. Some women are expert in applying a perfect round bindi by taking a pinch of vermilion powder on their fingertip. For certain nimble-fingered ladies it is a difficult task. There are small circular discs and hollow pie coin for their rescue. The disc is placed on the forehead and a sticky wax paste is applied on the empty space in the disc. Then the empty space is covered with kumkum or vermilion and the disc is removed leaving a round bindi on the forehead. Ingredients in the red dot are sandal, aguru, kumkum and sandoor, made of zinc oxide and dye. Saffron and kusumba ground together also produce red dot.

Bindi is available in various colors, shapes and designs. To mention a few intricate designs are beadwork, handprints, meenakari work, kundan, and studded stones, pearls and diamonds. In addition to the traditional bindis there is an outstanding variety such as fancy bindis, designer bindis and bridal bindis. Designer bindis include several popular body art bindis like crystal bindi, Belly Tattoo Bindi, Glitter tattoo bindi, Arm/Wrist Band bindi, Tikka bindi, Crystal Belly Bindi, pendent bindi, crystal finger bindi, hair bindi, chin bindi, crystal eyelash bindi and crystal nail bindi. TV personalities are responsible for new bindis known as Parvati bindi, Ramola bindi and Saans bindi available in the designer shops.

There is a bindi style for every person to suit her type and character. For pretty courageous ladies there are bindis in the shapes of crescent moon, heart, stars, trees, snakes etc sparkling, radiant and bright colors. each personality type. For bold and beautiful, we have bindis in various shapes of stars, half moon, heart, tree and snakes in glittery, shiny and bright colors while simple and quiet type opts for oval, square, diamond shape bindis or a mere dot in black or dark maroon color. Liquid bindi and kumkum bindi are also in the fashion market; needless to mention the hassle free stickers.