The Tilaka is normally a vermilion mark applied on the forehead.
This mark has a religious significance and is a visible sign of a
person as belonging to the Hindu religion. The Tilaka is of more
than one color although normally it is vermilion. It also does not
have any standard shape and form and is applied differently by
members of different Hindu sects and sub-sects. It is applied as a
'U' by worshippers of lord Vishnu and is red, yellow or saffron in
colpur. It is made up of red ochre powder (Sindhura) and sandalwood
paste (Gandha). Worshippers of lord Shiva apply it as three
horizontal lines and it consists of ash (Bhasma). Soot (Abhira) is
also used as a pigment for applying a Tilaka. Literally, Tilaka
means a mark. Sindhura which is also used to describe a Tilaka
means red and Gandha which is also a term for Tilaka means pleasant
odour. Hence, Tilaka normally connotes, a red mark with a pleasant
odour. Some scholars have seen the red colour as a symbolism for
blood. We are told that in ancient times, in Aryan society, a groom
used to apply his blood, on-his bride's forehead as a recognition
of wedlock. The existing practice among Indian women of applying a
round shaped red Tilaka called Bindiya or Kumkum could be a
survival of this.
