tilaka

[Guest guest]

Dear Olexa,

You're right. Many people apply only one single strip

of vibhuti. Some also apply the bindu in the middle.

 

I had the opportunity to enquire with some learned

people (some were the priests in the temple, some were

elderly citizens but very familiar with these

practices). So let me share with what I learnt.

 

Very devout Shaivaites (who are more inclined to the

worship of Lord Shiva) express their faith by going

the full measure and applying vibhuti (sacred ash) in

several stripes. Regular worshippers - who are not

too orthodox - put one strip. Both the fine. Its

just a matter of personal choice and tradition.

 

When you say the bindu, are you referring to the red

powder? If that is the case, then here's how it is;

in many Hindu temples in South India, it is common for

the worshipper to receive Vibhuti (sacred ash) and

Kumkum (red powder). How to apply it on the forehead?

So you get one strip of vibhuti with a bindu in the

middle.

 

In some temples you get only vibhuti (this is if the

temple is dedicated only to a male deity).

 

The Vibhuti is a reminder of man's mortality (since

Hindus cremate their dead and there's only ash left).

The red powder is the colour of blood - vitality and

life. A reminder of one's mortality will be a

reminder to be humble, and the red powder is a

blessing to have longevity and health. (I found this

explanation very fulfilling, because humility gives

you peace, peace gives you health and even prospetity

and so on).

 

There's a lot more to it, and I'm confident that the

many learned members in the group can contribute more

on this. For my part, I have shared what appeals to

me very much. I hope you find it useful.

 

Regards and a Happy New Year

Patricia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--- Olexa <malhfar wrote:

 

>

> Vanakkam!

>

> I've one question.

> Usually bhaktas of Shiva, Devi, Ganesha and Kumara

> use tripundra. But

> in many tamilian temples, I saw people with tilaka

> as one strip of

> vibhuti with bindu. What does such tilaka means?

> -------------

> Olexa

>

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Vanakkam, Patricia and group!

 

Thank You very much.

Yes, You are right – it was very useful.

-------------

Olexa

[Guest guest]

Patrica,

 

Thanks for the info.Patricia Jay <patriciajay2000 wrote:

Dear Olexa,You're right. Many people apply only one single stripof vibhuti. Some also apply the bindu in the middle.I had the opportunity to enquire with some learnedpeople (some were the priests in the temple, some wereelderly citizens but very familiar with thesepractices). So let me share with what I learnt.Very devout Shaivaites (who are more inclined to theworship of Lord Shiva) express their faith by goingthe full measure and applying vibhuti (sacred ash) inseveral stripes. Regular worshippers - who are nottoo orthodox - put one strip. Both the fine. Itsjust a matter of personal choice and tradition.When you say the bindu, are you referring to the redpowder? If that is the case, then here's how it is; in many Hindu temples in South India, it is common forthe worshipper to receive Vibhuti (sacred ash)

andKumkum (red powder). How to apply it on the forehead? So you get one strip of vibhuti with a bindu in themiddle. In some temples you get only vibhuti (this is if thetemple is dedicated only to a male deity). The Vibhuti is a reminder of man's mortality (sinceHindus cremate their dead and there's only ash left). The red powder is the colour of blood - vitality andlife. A reminder of one's mortality will be areminder to be humble, and the red powder is ablessing to have longevity and health. (I found thisexplanation very fulfilling, because humility givesyou peace, peace gives you health and even prospetityand so on). There's a lot more to it, and I'm confident that themany learned members in the group can contribute moreon this. For my part, I have shared what appeals tome very much. I hope you find it useful.Regards and a Happy New YearPatricia --- Olexa

wrote:> > Vanakkam!> > I've one question. > Usually bhaktas of Shiva, Devi, Ganesha and Kumara> use tripundra. But > in many tamilian temples, I saw people with tilaka> as one strip of > vibhuti with bindu. What does such tilaka means?> -------------> Olexa> > > > Take Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. http://mobile./maildemo