Tilak

[Nuno Matos]

Namaste All


Is some one able to tell me from what tradition comes the U shaped Tilak used by priests? The local Hindu temple has for pujari a priest that uses in its forehead a U shaped tilak. The priest that was here before him used no Tilak at all and was married. Are they from the same tradition? The temple is a Radha-Krishna Mandir.
Here goes the link http://www.multiculturas.com/hinduismo/radkrmandir/

[sm78]

Can't tell about the first priest... a traditional priest should always apply tilak of his sampradaya.

"U-shaped" tilak sounds like to be Vaishnava. There are many vaishnava sects however, and tilaks vary between them.

[Agnideva]

Namaste Nuno,

The U-shaped tilak is called a Urdhvapundra, and is used by Vaishnavas. There are various types based on the Vaishnava sect. The temple website said something about tradition from Gujarat, so the priests may be from the Vallabha (Pushtimargiya) Sampradaya.

OM Shanti,
A.

[Jigar]

Namaste all,
I found that a good question. If i read correct ( its early for me right now) it comes to my understanding that Sects have their own variations on Tilaks. I am Gujju Vaishnav and prefer the long thumbed teardrop on my forehead. I also prefer that only girls where the U-shaped tilak, where i know this is widely used by men. But would do the 3 horizontal tilak mean? Do colors make a difference, Orange Vs. Red?

Lord Jigar



maste nam,
jigar

[Agnideva]

But would do the 3 horizontal tilak mean? Do colors make a difference, Orange Vs. Red?

Namaste Jigar,

Nice to see your picture . The three-line horizontal tilak is used by Shaivites and Smartas. It is called a Tripundra, and usually made of holy ash.

As far as colors for tilak goes too, there is a difference in different sects. I don't know if there is a difference. Tilaks are made of different materials ... holy ash (for tripundra), sandal paste (chandan), turmeric (haldi), and vermillion (sindhoor/kumkum).

A.