Significance of Vermilion
Hindu culture and traditions are deeply rooted in values and beliefs for the enrichment of human life and the spiritual bent of mind. All customs and traditions prescribed by scriptures, spiritual masters and ancient seers from Bharath have a very important role in uplifting values in life. They give a direction for us to lead a peaceful, purposeful and harmonious life.
In India, it is known by many names including kuṅkumam (Sanskrit कुङ्कुमम्, Tamil குங்குமம், and Malayalam കുങ്കുമം), kumkuma (Telugu కుంకుమ), kukum (Konkani कुकूम्), kunku (Marathi कुंकू), kanku (Gujarati કંકુ), kumkum (Bengali কুমকুম and Hindi कुमकुम), and kunkuma (Kannada ಕುಂಕುಮ).
Kumkum
In general, the use of Kumkum (Vermilion) on the forehead has its cultural relevance attached as married women wear it signifying their marital status. This tradition has been in vogue for many centuries. Besides the cultural factors and traditions, there are a lot of health and scientific reasons involved in applying kumkum.
The word Bindi comes from the Sanskrit word Bindu which means point. Bindi is also known as Kumkum.
Ajna chakra
In yoga, the point, where the Bindi is adorned, is known as ‘Ajna chakra’. This chakra encompasses the pituitary and pineal glands, head, eyes and brain. This Ajna chakra plays a very important role in yoga and meditation. In many yoga postures, the forehead and the point where the Ajna chakra is located touch the ground. A belief that Lord Shiva’s third eye is the epicentre of this point. This point is a way to a factor of knowledge and wisdom.
Acupressure Point
The point where the Kumkum is adorned is also the acupressure point and it gives rise to health benefits to a larger extent. As this point is acupressure point, this point if pressed for a while can relieve headaches or migraines due to proper blood circulation as nerves and blood vessels are connected to this area. Hearing becomes better as the cochlear portion of the ear gets stimulated by one of the nerves passing through this area.
A slight pressure at this point will release two friendly hormones known as ‘melatonin and serotonin’. Melatonin reduces insomnia inducing sleep and serotonin is a happy hormone. Our society can foresee a cultural change in wearing a Bindi because of scientific reasons and health benefits.
The Bindi is said to help control the latent energy released through the Ajna chakra also called the third eye. The Ajna chakra sees the inner world just as our physical eyes see the external world helping us to access our inner wisdom and interpret matters in an unbiased and rational manner.
Adorning Kumkum on the forehead of Hindu married women has a high value in society. It is considered auspicious and has been practised for ages. The parting line appearing in the middle of the head has spiritual significance also. It is an aperture in the crown of the head known as ‘Brahmarandhra’. This area is extremely sensitive and it is the gateway to experience the absolute consciousness spiritually.
In Hindu Puranas
Goddess Parvathi, consort of Lord Shiva and Sita Devi, wife of Lord Rama used to adorn Kumkum as per our scriptures. A divine gesture of both these goddesses shows their reverence to their husbands. Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas also used Kumkum as per the Mahabharata. All Hindu Puranas also mention this in several contexts. Soundarya Lahari, written by Sri Adi Shankara Charya also mentions the importance of Kumkum like in other mythological texts.
Kumkum is used for worshipping Hindu goddesses like Maa Shakti and Maa Lakshmi. Hindu women believe that Goddess Parvathi showers grace on those married women who follow this culture.
Husband’s longevity
Another significant reason in the life of a woman applying Kumkum on the forehead is to express the desire to have a husband’s longevity. Kumkum is adorned by the married woman for the fact that after her marriage, it helps her to shoulder the responsibility of looking after all the new family members by balancing all the mental pressures faced in the new family life. It is also considered as a therapeutic medicine.
Kumkum or Bindi which is made of turmeric is beneficial for the ladies in both scientific and spiritual ways. It is graceful for the women as it gives divine beauty. It enhances mental power, and divine thoughts within and among those who are around her. Kumkum is red or maroon symbolic of love, passion and strength. Kumkum reminds us goddess Shakti. Kumkum can be adorned by men also as it activates Ajna chakra giving rise to several spiritual benefits.
Lakshakumkumarchana
Before the annual Brahmotsavams or any mega religious event in a temple where a goddess presides, the priests usually perform ‘Lakshakumkumarchana’ seeking peaceful conduct of the event. As vermilion is often considered to be auspicious for married Hindu women which signifies the longevity of her husband’s life.
There is another strong belief that by the propitiation of the deity with this unique ritual, the priests hope for a smooth and successful conduct of future events.
According to the Hindu ‘sanatana dharma’, vermilion otherwise called ‘kumkum’ is also considered the symbolic representation of Goddess Shakti, who is also revered as Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Parvathi. Every year during the Karthika Brahmotsavams in the famous pilgrim town of Tiruchanoor, ‘vahana sevas’ start with the most colourful religious ceremony of ‘Lakshakumkumarchana’ on the day before the Dwajarohanam Day.
The auspicious ritual of ‘Lakshakumkumarchana’ begins amid the renditions of the sacred chants and mellifluous hymns at the temple of Goddess Padamvathi Devi. The processional deity Goddess Padmavati Devi in all Her divine splendour, settles on a finely decked ‘seat’ in ‘Mukha Mandapam’ situated opposite to Sri Krishna Swamy temple within the premises of the main temple.
Priests recite ‘Lakshmi Astottaram’ and ‘Lakshmi Sahasranamam’ with devotional fervour and perform ‘Archana’ with vermilion invoking multiple names of Goddess Padmavati Devi. In Tiruchanur Ammavari temple, devotees can have archana with Kumkum by paying the prescribed fee.
Visit this temple and have your archana with kumkum and be blessed.
