What is Bindhi (A red dot that hindu men and women wear)?
Turmeric powder turns red to become bindi powder (kumkum) through a chemical reaction with an alkaline substance like slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or borax. Curcumin, the natural yellow pigment in turmeric, acts as a pH indicator and shifts to a bright reddish-brown when exposed to a high-pH base. Hindus from ancient times had this technology about chemical reactions, etc. They were experts in Organic chemistry.
Bindi generally always will be in RED color (naturally made).
In modern times, women started changing the colors to different colors based on the color of their dress.
There are several reasons for having Bindi on forehead:
- Hindus believe that there is energy between the eyes that can easily be stolen by others. To distract them from doing it, they have bindi. It is worn by both men and women. This way, people don't hypnotize and to ward off evil eyes.
Forehead / Ajna → consciousness and spiritual awareness
Red → Shakti, life and auspiciousness
Kumkum → sacred substance used in worship
Bindi → placing that sacred symbolism on the body
So the traditional red bindi isn't simply decoration. Depending on the Hindu tradition, it can represent divine energy, auspiciousness, spiritual awareness, devotion, and—in some communities—a woman's married status.
Most women in India are considered Shakthi Swaroopinis (or those born with Shakthi or Energy).
So people used bindi to keep their shakthi within.
It is used by men and women for this purpose. Hinduism being superior in its approach to life, has mastered science some tens of thousands years back.
