Why do we apply kungumam ( kumkum, Bindi)

the thought of penning this blog arose when a Professor casually remarked, "While I was on a trip to china, a lady asked me Why do Indian women apply Bindi ? I replied Just like that!!". I was a little disturbed that the reasoning of our day to day practise is taking a back seat

The ancient Hindu practise of applying kumkum are as old as the Vedas themselves.

The area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to be the sixth chakra, agni, the seat of "concealed wisdom". According to followers of Tantrism, this chakra is the exit point for kundalini energy. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. It is also said to protect against demons or bad luck.

The Bindi is an integral part of the Indian Tradition. It is not a prerogative of the women , it is applied by the men as well. This age old practise while protecting the enrgy flow - well those days people did mediatate a lot thus leading a better life than what we do today- also added lakshanam to the person who spotted the bindi or kumkum.

The beauty of this practise is taking a back seat with the current generation giving more importance to the westewrn look. I am definetly not against women wearing western clothes but doing away with the Bindi is little disheartening. If the westerns too had the practise of spotting the Bindi, then the Bindi might have found its way in accessories of Western clothing. Unless the pop culture of the West adopts this feature, the Urban woman might side line the Bindi !! :)