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Kumkuma is a powder used for social and religious markings inIndia. It is made fromturmeric or any other local materials. The turmeric is dried and powdered with a bit ofslaked lime, which turns the rich yellow powder into a red color.
In India, it is known by many names includingkuṅkumam (Sanskrit कुङ्कुमम्,Tamil குங்குமம், andMalayalam കുങ്കുമം),kumkuma (Telugu కుంకుమ),kukum (Konkani कुकूम्),kunku (Marathi कुंकू),kanku (Gujarati કંકુ),kumkum (Bengali কুমকুম andHindi कुमकुम), andkunkuma (Kannada ಕುಂಕುಮ).
Kumkuma is most often applied by Indians to the forehead. The reason involves the ancient Indian belief that "the human body is divided into seven vortices of energy, calledchakras, beginning at the base of the spine and ending at the top of the head. Thesixth chakra, also known as thethird eye, is centered in the forehead directly between the eyebrows and is believed to be the channel through which humankind opens spiritually to the Divine".[1]
Thus, the kumkuma is placed where Indians believe to be the most important spot for receptivity to be enhanced.
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In the Vaishnava tradition, the "white lines represent the footprint of their God, while the red refers to his consort, Lakshmi".[1] The Swaminarayana tradition holds that the tilaka (yellow U-shaped mark) "is a symbol of the lotus feet of Paramatma," and the kumkuma "represents the bhakta" (devotee).[2] In both of these traditions, the forehead mark serves as a reminder that a devotee of God should always remain protected at the feet of God.[citation needed]
The 'color' of the womb is yellow and is symbolically represented by turmeric. The blood stains on the womb is represented by kumkuma. It is believed that the combination of turmeric and kumkuma represents prosperity.[citation needed]
When a girl or a married woman visits a house, it is a sign of respect (in case of an elderly lady) orblessings (in case of a girl) to offer kumkuma to them when they leave. However, normally it is not offered to widows(It is actually orthodoxy and superstition). If kumkuma is given to widow there will be no harm as 'bidhaba' or 'sadhaba' depends only on consideration, it's neither law of nature nor God.
Men, women, girls, and boys also apply a dot on their forehead of red turmeric powder, when visiting a temple or during apooja. Kumkuma at temples is found in heaps. People dip their thumb or ring finger into the heap and apply it on the forehead or between the eyebrows.
In most of India, married women apply red kumkuma to the parting of their hair above their forehead every day as a symbol of marriage. This is called vermilion, or in Hindi,sindoor. In India, many unmarried girls wear abindi every day.
Kumkum is made from turmeric by adding slaked lime.
Kumkuma is also widely used for worshiping theHindu goddesses, especiallyShakti andLakshmi, and kumkuma powder is thrown (along with other mixtures) into the air duringHoli (the Festival of Colours), a popular Hindu spring festival.
Sanatan Sanstha has published an article which mentions that Kumkuma also is believed to prevent "negative energies entering the body".[3]
