Bindi or Tilaka?

[-Aashna_Namaste-]

If I wear a sari or any traditional woman's Indian clothing. Should I wear a Bindi, a Tilaka or both? What color and style can I wear? I heard that red symbolizes marriage and certain forehead designs, shapes, and jewels mean different things.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Aashna: When in Rome..... so it depends on context.

Aum Namasivaya

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~~~
namast�

More on customs and traditions can be found here on HDF:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/sho...light=forehead


praṇām

[ScottMalaysia]

A bindi is a fashion statement for Indian women, often worn in the West to show that they are Hindus, not Indian Christians or Muslims.

A tilak is a religious statement, used by both men and women to show that one is affiliated with a particular sect (or that one is a Hindu in general). Followers of Shiva will wear three lines of ash across their forehead (or one small line for women, often above a bindi). Followers of Vishnu will wear a variety of marks, ranging from a thin red line to two wide red lines with a red line in the centre. You can find out more about Vaishnava forms of tilak here.

Generally, with a sari you would wear a bindi. If you're going to a temple then you would put a tilak above the bindi. If you have Hindu friends, ask them about the temple and if it is affiliated with any sect. Some South Indian temples give out ask, sandalwood paste and kumkum (red powder) as part of the ceremony, and these are applied to the forehead as a tilak. So if it's one of those temples, just wear a bindi.

In short:
Bindis are fashion statements for women.
Tilaks are religious statements, used by both men and women, which vary according to sect.

[Believer]

I love it when men become Bindi specialists and have all kinds of advice. ))

[Eastern Mind]

I love it when men become Bindi specialists and have all kinds of advice. ))

Vannakkam Believer: Haven't you noticed? HDF is male dominated, for whatever reason. We have no female senior members from India. At least none who contribute a lot.

Aum Namasivaya

[Believer]

Vannakkam Believer: Haven't you noticed? HDF is male dominated, for whatever reason. We have no female senior members from India. At least none who contribute a lot.

Yes, I have noticed EM.
Probably Hindu ladies have a better, more productive way of spending time.
My point is that if you really want to help, ask your wife/daughter/sister/aunt/niece/daughter-in-law/mother-in-law or another female relative/friend about the Bindi protocol; OR do a Google search and then post the result of your findings. Otherwise, it is akin to marking your territory. )