In Hinduism a lot of importance is associated with sindoor. It is the symbol of marriage in Hinduism. If a man applies sindoor on the head of a woman they are considered man and wife. In this article we will discuss in details about the importance of sindoor and why it is considered as a symbol of marriage. A parting is made on the middle of the head. It is common to see women wearing sindoor. Some apply a long line, some apply it in a small line and some women put just a dot of sindoor. Today sindoor is available in liquid form also.

Power of Sindoor

Sindoor is pure and powerful. It has been given a lot of importance in our culture. Sindoor is used in religious ceremonies. It is offered to the Gods and is considered very auspicious. When a woman applies sindoor on her head it is to tell people that she is married. No unmarried woman in India is allowed to apply sindoor on their head. It is a symbol of purity and power.

Lord Shiva And Sindoor

In the wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati this tradition was followed and lord Shiva applied sindoor on the head of Parvati. Since this the tradition has been followed in all Hindu weddings. It is compulsory Hindu married women to apply sindoor. This tradition is still followed in Hindu weddings. However, some women today do not prefer to use the Sindoor and they consider it too traditional.

Theories Behind Sindoor Tradition

Some say that it was used by women to make themselves look more attractive. There is no mention of applying sindoor in our vedas. However, the wife of Shiva Parvati and the wife of lord Rama named Sita used to wear sindoor.

It is said that women who wear sindoor ensure that their husbands are protected from all evil and have a long life. The colour of sindoor attracts the husband to the wife and helps to build the marriage. The woman whose husband is dead should not wear sindoor at all. It was also an attempt to ensure that unmarried women and widows don’t look very attractive.

There is also a belief that the sindoor in the olden days were a little poisonous in nature so that if the honour of a woman is attacked she could consume the sindoor and commit suicide.

Changing Value Systems

The tradition of wearing sindoor is as old as 5000 years. This is a custom that is an integral part of our culture and tradition. Some people also feel that wearing sindoor is a way to oppress the woman and make them feel that they belong to a man. It is not something that independent women should do. Some women also feel that why should they wear sindoor whereas men do not wear anything to prove that they are married. However, some feel that wearing sindoor makes the marriage strong. It brings the man and the woman closer. The sindoor if applied regularly can become very powerful and can also act as a protection for the husband. It is advised that the forehead of a married woman should never be blank.

The Astro and Health Connection

The house of Aries is on the forehead and to control this house red sindoor is applied on the forehead. The colour of Aries is red. The sindoor is made by mixing turmeric, lime and mercury. This is exactly why the sindoor can control blood pressure and also improves sexual drive. Mercury also helps women to deal with stress.

The sindoor must be applied up to the pituitary gland where all the feelings stay. This helps the women to control their emotions better. When they can control their emotions they can take better care of their husbands and of the other members in the family.

As sindoor improves sexual drive it is not recommended for unmarried women and widows. A young girl does not have many responsibilities in her father’s house but as she becomes married her responsibilities increase. Suddenly when too many responsibilities come on her she may get pressurized and loose her control this is why wearing sindoor was so important for these women.

Sindoor Daan

Applying sindoor is considered very auspicious and no marriage in Hinduism is complete without it. The tradition of applying sindoor by the groom on the bride is called sindoor daan. The red colour of sindoor also symbolises power and strength. The touch of sindoor makes the marriage auspicious and strong.

Sindoor vs Tilak

The fact that sindoor is considered as a symbol of power can be made out from the fact that even men would apply Tilak on their foreheads before they would go to the battlefield. This sindoor would give them the strength to fight the enemies. Tilak was done usually done by the wife if the husband was going to the battlefield.

In ancient India sindoor was prepared in the house. Today sindoor can be purchased in the shops. Sindoor is offered to lord Ganesha and also to Lord Hanuman. It is said that lord Hanuman used to smear his body with sindoor to please lord Rama. Sindoor is also offered to Goddess Parvati and Shakti.

We have tried to discuss all the aspects of wearing sindoor in this article. We hope that you will find this article informative and interesting.