A small red dot donned with kumkum between the brows of a woman glorifies her beauty as well as the symbol of inner Shakti. In Indian conditions Bindi made its entry as early as Indus valley civilization.. The practice of using 'kumkum' on foreheads is mentioned in many ancient texts (Puranas), including Lalitha Sahasranamamand Soundarya Lahhari. Our religious texts, scriptures, myths and epics too mention the significance of 'kumkum’

Bindi is derived from the Sanskrit word’ bindu’, which means, "drop". The original Indian Bindiya, the fabled red dot ‘Kumkum’ that women wore in the center of their forehead has now become a Fashion Statement setting a global trend. Unperturbed it continued its existence in 21st century. Even the men wear a kumkum mark on their forehead, especially for traditional ceremonies.

A Tilaka (a straight vermilion mark on forhead) is also applied in many Indian communities as a traditional custom when welcoming guests; it is a symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune and festivity.

A dot of perfect purity bindi is associated with marriage and femininity, steeped in years of culture and custom. The traditional Bindi symbolizes the mystic third eye of a person, which indicates good omen. The practice of wearing a Bindi is a Vedic tradition that women follow as confirmation to the spirit of womanhood.

Bindi, which is also described as Sindhura or Tilaka means red. The color red is significant. It represents Shakti (strength) and is also believed to symbolize love. When a bride steps over the threshold of her marital home with the red bindi on her forehead, is supposed to bold prosperity for the home she is entering. The bindi represents the woman’s married status, in most of the North Indian communities, but in South India it is a custom for all women and girls to wear a bindi.

The Bindi is an adornment that lights up your face and gives it a focal point. Bindi, on the beloved's forehead is supposed to mesmerize her lover, Poets, through ages have composed poems & songs on the beautiful Bindiya of the damsel, attracting immense attention and being the first thing that catches the admirers eye. This little dot has always received a place of importance in Indian customs; as it carries with it a wealth of meaning and is an on-going link with a very ancient custom and history.

In the olden days, to get a perfect circle shape, women used a hollow circular disc. Firstly a paste or Vaseline was applied on the empty space in the disc whilst held in centre of the forehead. This was then covered with kumkum the disc was removed which gave a perfect round bindi. Kumkum was patiently prepared at homes mixing fine haldi powder with naturally available red color. Significantly, when an Indian woman has the misfortune of becoming a widow, she stops wearing the bindi. Also, if there is death in the family, the women folks' bindi-less face tells the community that the family is in mourning.

Today, the kumkum has been largely replaced by the "sticker-bindi". Made of felt and held with glue, providing an ingenious easy-to-use substitute. The sticker-bindi comes in attractive designs and vibrant colors decorated with crystals, beads, wirework and bells; some are truly exotic creations. In India, conservative women still use the age old kumkum or sindoor for making a bindi.

Asian fashion and all that is associated with Bollywood is one of the fastest growing trends worldwide. Famous celebrities and Pop Stars have further promoted this expanding phenomenon of the Bindi. Madonna was the first celebrity who gave the bindi its newfound status and set a global trend, when she wore a bindi in her album ‘Frozen’. Now you even see people like Liz Hurley and Cherie Blair adorning bindis with their exquisite Indian outfits.

Scientific Approach:

A Hot Spot!

The red dot signifies the power of the third eye. The third eye refers to the sixth chakra in the human body located between the brows. Chakras are subtle energy points which when awakened gives a person certain powers and allows the person to progress in spiritual realms. The sixth chakra is considered one of the most powerful of all the seven major charkas. The sixth charka is known as the 'agna' meaning 'command', is the seat of concealed wisdom. It is the centre point wherein all experience is gathered in total concentration. Red color of kumkum symbolizes the presence of cosmic energy a person revives in his body during meditation.

 During meditation the latent energy ('kundalini') rises from the base of the spine towards the head. This 'agna' is the probable outlet for this potent energy. The red 'kumkum' between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. It is also the central point of the base of the creation itself — symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune.

Many people associate the red bindi with the ancient practice of offering blood sacrifices to appease the Gods. Even in the ancient Aryan society, a bridegroom made a 'tilak' mark on the bride's forehead as a sign of wedlock. The present practice of women wearing sindhoor in the midst of their parted hair could be an extension of that tradition. Thus bindi signifies the most important aspect of physical beauty combined with spiritual prosperity.