The Indian Bindi

The little dot on the forehead worn by the Indian women is a distinctive mark of tradition. It has become a rage these days in the fashion world, though bindi has always remained a show stopper in India. The unassuming tiny dot holds a lot of cultural significance for the people of India, long before it was turned to a fashion accessory. Bindi is a representation of their connection to God and religion. Hence it is often seen on the forehead of the priests, it signifies blessing for knowledge and insight. Derived from the sanskrit word bindu, meaning drop, it is commonly assumed to have two meanings – one stemming from spiritual associations; the other of social symbol. Socially speaking, the bindi is often mistaken to be a sign of the caste system in India.

That is not the case – the exotic women of the country are no longer the only ones sporting this beautiful accessory. Over time, the modest bindi has taken a new dimension and moved ahead. It is no longer the sole domain of a married woman or devout men in temple.

Bindi is traditionally hand painted but needs a lot of patience and time. For those, you neither have the time nor patience there are self adhesive bindis available in the market. These stick on bindis are available in a huge variety of colours and embellishments. Gorgeous self adhesive varieties in sparkling colours are adorned with gem stones, sequins, beads and glitter.

Though you need to be careful with the glue used in such bindis, since it can cause skin allergy. It is not advisable to be worn by those who have sensitive skin. But worry not, there are few glues that are safe and gentle enough for skin. Traditionally the bindi was made with vermilion paste.