Significance Of Wearing Bindis

Wearing bindis have always formed a part of traditional fashion in India. Even with the advent of modernisation and influence of Western culture, the fascination for wearing bindis among women has not reduced. In fact, time and again bindis keep trending over the years. Moving on from the traditional bindis, the fancy bindis are now a craze among young girls and married women as well.

Interestingly, wearing bindis has great spiritual significance and health benefits too. The 'Bindi' literally means a drop in Sanskrit. A bindi is worn on the central part of the forehead, between the two eyebrows which is a major nerve point of our body. A traditional bindi is supposed to be a big red dot in the middle of the forehead with a substance called 'kumkum'. Kumkum is made of dried and powdered turmeric or saffron with a bit of slaked lime which thus gives it the red colour.

Read on to find out more about the significance of wearing bindis.

Effect Of Bindi On Health

Wearing a bindi has huge health benefits. Traditional bindis with kumkum, made of saffron was said to be an excellent cure for headaches. It also helps to keep the head cool and protects loss of energy.

Spiritual Significance

The area in which the bindi is applied is between the eyebrows where the Ajna chakra is located. According to Hinduism, it is the point where the soul is said to enter or exit the body. It is also the point of concentration which gets easily heated at times of stress and anxiety. Applying a bindi on the forehead has a cooling effect on the nerves, at this point.

Relation With Shiva

A bindi is also said to represent the 'Third Eye' of Lord Shiva. It is believed that our spiritual eye is located at this point.

Sign Of Marriage

Bindi is generally seen as the mark of a married woman. However, unmarried girls especially in South India also wear bindis. A bindi is generally red in colour which represents honour, love and prosperity. Hence, it is compulsory for married women to wear bindis. Widows on the other hand are not supposed to wear bindis.

Traditional Way Of Wearing Bindi

A traditional bindi is always red or maroon in colour. A pinch of kumkum is applied skillfully at the mid part of the forehead using the fingertip or with a small stick. It is made into a perfect round shape. The bindi can either be applied with kumkum or sandalwood paste. However, nowadays women prefer to wear the stick-on ready made bindis.

Modern Use

Bindis have now become a style statement. It is no more confined to married or old women. Neither it is now restricted to a particular colour or shape. It is available in various shapes and patterns which has in a way helped to keep the tradition of wearing bindis alive.