Posted by Bansi Pandit on February 20, 1998 at 14:47:20:
In Reply to: Bindi on Forehead posted by Sunila on February 20, 1998 at 10:03:30:
: I have been asked by many European people why Indian
: women wear bindi on their foreheads. I have not been
: able to answer their query. Can anybody please explain
: to me about the same
: Thanks
: Sunila
Response:
Hindus wear a tilak (a red dot by women and an elongated dot by men) on their foreheads, between the two eyes. This point, known by various names such as Ajna Chakra, Spiritual Eye, and Third Eye, is said to be the major nerve center in the human body. In ancient times, Hindus used red lead powder (sindhoor) or sandalwood paste to place dots on their foreheads. According to Hindu sages, red lead and sandalwood paste have cooling properties. Therefore, placing a red lead or sandalwood paste dot on the forehead between the eyes cools the nerve center associated with that location. The sages tell us that, consequently, the mind becomes calm and quiet. The tilak is also a reminder of the wedding vows. The most popular is the red tilak worn by Hindu married women to symbolize their marriage and the wedding vows. The religious significance of tilak has been largely forgotten these days and it is now used more for fashion than for religious reasons.