Why do we wear marks (tilakam / pottu) on the forehead?

The tilakam (pottu) invokes a feeling of sacredness to the person who wears it and also others.

It is usually recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour change according to one’s religious sect or the form of the Lord worshipped.

Lord Vishnu worshippers apply a sandal tilak of the shape of "U," Lord Shiva worshippers wear a tripundra (Pattai) of bhasma (Thiruneeru), Devi worshippers a red dot of kumkum and so on.

The tilakam cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as the Aajna Chakra in the language of Yoga.

The tilakam is applied with the prayer - "May I remember the Lord. May this devout feeling pervade all my activities. May I be virtuous in my deeds!"

Even when we temporarily forget this imploring attitude, tilakam in the forehead reminds us of our resolve. The tilakam is thus a blessing of the Lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces.

Our entire body radiates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, the forehead and the subtle spot between the eyebrows especially so.

That is why usually worry generates heat and causes a headache. The tilakam cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes the entire forehead is covered with sandal or bhasma.

Using plastic reusable "sticker bindis" is not very helpful, even though it serves the purpose of decoration.

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