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In India, we have seen that women used to put bindi in the forehead. But most of these people in India and around the world do not know the reason and just following the crowd on the name of custom or tradition. So, I decided to do some research and find out the truth behind it and found out some really knowledgeable and must share stuff.

Why women put bindi in the forehead?

Well there are two type of belief behind this custom (tradition). One is traditional belief i.e. what people believe and other is scientific belief . We will talk about both traditional and scientific (or ancient) belief with some of its history one by one:

◾Traditional Belief (what people think):

No traditional belief is attached to this custom. It is just a material used to add a beauty to women. Also red bindis are said to impart certain beauty to women when they wear it.

◾Scientific (Ancient) Belief:

The red dot is called a bindi. It is a form of body decoration. Culturally, hindus attach a lot of importance to this ornamental mark and call it by various names - pottu, bindi, tikka, tilakam and sindoor. There are various theories on why it is important and I will share a few here.

Notice the position of Ajna chakra. That is where bindis have to be rightfully placed.

Chakras are basically energy points that correspond to major points in the physical body (in relation to nerves). They are also believed to be centres of cosmic energy connection of the body. This principle forms the basic for many traditional healing methods like Pranic healing, Reiki and mainly yoga.

Moving towards the question in specific, ajna chakra is the 'seat of concealed wisdom' (as mentioned in Bindi (decoration)). In other words it represents the subconscious mind of individuals and the various thought processes. Negative energy in the form of negative thoughts and black magic enters the body through this chakra. When you place a bindi, you block the negative energy from entering the body.

Traditional bindis are made of kumkum which is basically turmeric and saffron. Turmeric has many many uses in culinary and health sciences and also cosmetics. Similar to how it scientifically blocks UV rays, turmeric in kumkum blocks the negative energy, which i mentioned earlier. Saffron is also generally used for cosmetic purposes.

I realize that chakras, on which my explanation is based, have not been scientifically proven. I can just say that the previously mentioned techniques like Yoga, Pranic healing, Reiki,etc have proven results and they have originated in various parts of the world, not just India AND that chakras are not just figments of Hindu religion.

The 'Magic' Ingredient - Traditionally kumkum ( a mixture of turmeric and lime) or chandan (sandalwood) was used to mark a bindi. Kumkum is hygroscopic in nature and can greatly assist to remove excess water from one's head. Tumeric's anti-bacterial properties are helpful too. Further, the colour red is believed to aid spiritually. Chandan or sandalwood is renowned for its 'cooling' properties. For a hot tropic country, application of chandan on forehead ( a nerve centre) helps to cool one's entire system.

On a religious note, the color red symoblises 'shakti', the goddess of strength. A kumkum is marked on girls after marriage denoting strength and wishing for peace.

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