Tilaka
Tilaka ( Sanskrit : तिलक, m. = Sign, mark) or colloquially Tika ( Hindi : m., टीका, ṭīkā) are the names of the various blessing signs that Hindus often wear on their foreheads. You dab a blessing point with red pigments or get it as a conclusion to a Hindu ceremony or on other particularly solemn occasions. In the tantric directions of Hinduism, this variant stands for power, marks the energy center suspected at this point, the “ third eye ”, and protects it.
A tilaka or tika can be applied round or elongated as a horizontal or vertical line. Preferred colors are red (Sindoor) or yellow (Kumkum or turmeric ). But it is often black from a soot-butter mixture, light from ash or sandel paste or in one of the countless other variations. Women, men and children are blessed with it.
Some Tilakas indicate religious affiliation: while about the followers of Shiva three horizontal lines in different variations wear ( tripundra ) - often made of ash, Vibhuti - painting Vishnu -Verehrer a U-like character - that vertical lines, such as sandalwood paste - on the forehead that reaches down to the bridge of the nose. Those who worship God's feminine form, Shakti , prefer the red point on the forehead. Mixed forms of these signs are often found. Tilakas can also be painted on other parts of the body.
The transition from tilaka or tika as a sign of blessing to the specially female variant, the decorative bindi , is fluid. Despite a widespread assumption in Europe , none of these frontal points is a box mark .
Web links
Sindoor and turmeric in a street sale
Chhath Puja ceremony in Calcutta
Applying Sindoor at a Hindu wedding reception
Selling Sindoor in Omkareshwar
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