Not just a coloured dot, the bindi, is culturly and traditionaly focus of all forms of body decorations.. Sanskrit word “bindu” means a drop, and is like the third eye of Lord Shiva and hence, when properly marked, becomes the centre of attraction in itself. As a lasting symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune, it has few peers in our 5000 year-old history. Its references are found in almost all the scriptures, myths and epics(Ramayana Mahabharata), may be by the name kumkum/Bindiya
The bindi is not just a symbolism it is source of inspiration to Poets for composing couplets on the beautiful bindiya having depth of the pure love which has the magical power to mesmerize the lover.
The bindi on the forehead denotes the woman’s married status in the North but in the South it is a prerogative of all girls to wear a bindi. A bride stepping over the threshold of her married home appears resplendent with the red bindi on her forehead, a mark that automatically makes her the preserver of the family’s welfare and well being.
The bindi being an auspicious adornment hence in olden day women who lost their husbands did not wear it. At times of sorrow like a death in the family, women did not wear it however married women can use turmeric as a substitute merely to indicate, not widowhood but a state of mourning in the family. During menstruation, some women refrained from wearing a bindi. Such silent indicators are rarely found in history or across the world.
Tribal women also decorate the areas near the chin, eyebrows, and cheekbones with an elaborate array of dark dots. These unique designs have great aesthetic value besides they are adorned for warding off evil influences on the family.
Whether made from the more conservative kumkum or sindoor or modern variants of it, the perfect circular bindi is the Indian women’s most elegant calling card and centre of attraction.