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Questions tagged [tilak]

A mark worn by a Hindu on the forehead to indicate caste, status, or sect, or as an ornament.

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Can a Kshatriya put on a Urdhvapunda Tilak?

I read some where that Narada Purana says a Brahmin should wear a Urdhvapundra (for Vishnu) and a Kshatriya should wear a Tripundra (for Shiva). Does the Narada Purana say it is absolutely necessary? ...
Vedant Singh's user avatar
3 votes
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Scriptural reference mandating Joint application of Urdhvapundra and tripundra?

The Urdhvapundra tilaka and the tripundra tilaka both are validated by scriptural proofs of their own. But my question is does any scripture actually allow one to don the urdhva pundra and tripundra ...
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what is the name of this tilaka?

I have seen many representations in media of this tilaka where there is a tripundra over which an urdhva namam is drawn. it seems like what people not affiliated with a certain shaiva or vaishnava ...
Jishnu A.R's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
454 views

Can a Non-Dvija wear the Tripundra Tilaka?

Can a non-dvija wear the tripundra? (On the head only)
Savitr̥'s user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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What tilaka do god Parshurama wear?

Parshurama, is generally listed as the 6th of the famous ten incarnations (descensions/avatara) of god Vishnu. Parshurama is an ardent devotee of god Shiva and his student too. So it logically makes ...
Vivikta's user avatar
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Does the Gāṇapatyas (गाणपत्य) and the Sauras (सौर) have any dedicated sectarian Tilaka?

Each sect/subsect within Hinduism has its own dedicated 'sectarian holy markings" known as Tilaka (तिलक). For Instance: The Śaivaites (शैव) - the worshippers of god Śiva as the Supreme, wears ...
Vivikta's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
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Does the 'Red-dot' Tilaka of the Śāktas (शाक्त) have any name?

For Instance: The name of the Tilaka worn by the Śaivas (शैव) is Tripuṇḍra Tilaka (त्रिपुण्ड्र-तिलक). The name of the Tilaka worn by the Vaiṣṇavas (वैष्णव) is Ūrdhvapuṇḍra Tilaka (ऊर्ध्वपुण्ड्र-तिलक)...
Vivikta's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
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Is Tripundra mentioned in the Smritis?

I would like to know about whether Tripundra is mentioned in any of the Smritis? Does any Smriti talk about Tripundra? Does any Smriti ask Brahmins to keep Tripundra?
Pasham Vishnu Vardhan Goud's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
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In most of the TV serials, it's shown that Lord Vishnu or Krishna apply Urdhva Pundrak and Lord Shiva applies tripundra. Is there a scriptural basis?

Kindly provide with any scriptural basis for the answer. Thank you.
Shiva's user avatar
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Which Varna and sects are allowed to wear tripundra?

the agnivesya grihsutra suggests that only Kshatriyas,vaishayas, and shudras are allowed to wear a tripundra(1.18). Some Vaishnavas use it to say that a brahmin shouldn't be allowed to wear a ...
Shiva's user avatar
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0 answers
214 views

Which Tilak to be used for Lord Rama in art?

Which Tilak to be used for Lord Rama in art? I am making a video animation. Want to confirm which tilak should be used.
Parthibaraj Rajasekar's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
375 views

What is the origin of the practice involving applying bhasma, tilak, nama / thiruman, kumkuma?

I am seeking some information on the origin of this practice involving applying bhasma (vibuthi), kumkum(am), tilakas (with sandal paste or others), namam / thiruman etc? How did this originate? To ...
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Urdhva pundra on utsavar of Lord Vishnu

In Vishnu temples in South India, Urdhva pundra on utsavar of Lord Vishnu is like an inverted triangle whereas that on moolavar is the standard urdhva pundra i.e. two white vertical lines and red or ...
Manoj Gowda's user avatar
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1 answer
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When did Vaishnavites start wearing Urdhva Pundram?

Did Ramanuja introduce the Namam? What did Vaishnavites wear before that?
S K's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
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What is ashtagandha, where is it mentioned in the scriptures?

What is ashtagandha and what is it made of? Where is it mentioned in the scriptures? Ashtagandha is a mixture of eight ingredients available in granules or powder and is used in deity worshipping ...
shanayan's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Are the forehead markings worn by different sects prescribed in scripture?

The horizontal Bhasma for Siva worshipers and the vertical marking for Vishnu worshipers are well known. I have also seen Smarta folks wearing a vertical mark that is different from the ones worn by ...
S K's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Requirements for wearing Tilak

What are the rules / requirements of applying a Vaishnava tilaka? Is diksha required?
SifatR's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the significance of wearing the namam on the forehead?

What is the significance of wearing the "namam" on the forehead? What do the red and white components indicate?
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1 vote
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What is the significance of applying chandan on forehead? [duplicate]

What is the significance of chandan application on forehead for Hindus? I have been told my mom not to apply Chandan and I don’t understand the reason.need help
Rahul K's user avatar
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163 views

What does the Vaishnavite Tilaka mean when worn by Vishnu? [duplicate]

Vishnu is always depicted as wearing the caste-mark of Vaishnavites. But I believe it represents Vishnu's foot-mark when worn by Vishnu's devotees, who show their devotion through it. It has to mean ...
S K's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why do some Advaitins wear an Urdhva Pundra made of ash?

Originally, most Advaitins had Vishnu as their Ishta Devata, but nowadays most Advaitins have Shiva as their Ishta Devata. Kanchi Mahaperiava, the former Shankaracharya of the Kanchipuram, explains ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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1 answer
461 views

Is applying sindoor compulsory after marriage?

Is applying sindoor after marriage mandatory or just a choice? Do Hindu scripture say anything about applying sindoor after marriage?
kriti's user avatar
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1 vote
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668 views

What's the reason behind Venkateshwara's unusual urdhwapundra?

There are two unusual aspects of Lord Venkateshwara's Urdhwapundra 1) The size of UrdhwaPundra: The Urdhwpundra covers more than 30% of Lord's face, while normally it should cover around 10%. The ...
Yogi's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
913 views

What does Urdhva Pundra (Thirunamam) represent?

Most Hindus who worship Shree Vishnu wear Urdhva Pundra (Thirunamam) on their forehead. What does this symbol represent?
Vijai's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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Why is Thiruman Sacred?

What is purpose/reason of using Thiruman katti for making Urdhwapundra or Namam, What is relation of Thiruman to Shriman Narayana? How is it holy clay?
Yogi's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Is it a sin to rub Vibuthi or Tilak off the forehead?

Is it okay to rub Vibuthi or Tilak off one's forehead? Does it amount to insulting god?
Good Guy's user avatar
  • 346
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why even Lord Vishnu put Tilak (Gopi-Chandan) on his forehead?

As a pure Vaishnav Devotee, we are putting a tilak on our head, But why lord himself putting Tilak on his forehead.? Is there any logic behind? any scriptures mentioned this logic?please share your ...
Shree Krishna's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
3k views

Which hand should be used for supporting head while applying Tilak on the forehead?

Which hand do i have to put on the back of the head while getting a tilak on the forehead? If someone applies tilak on my forehead, i should place my hand on the back of my head. But do I have to use ...
Thomas's user avatar
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12 votes
3 answers
7k views

What Tilak or Namam does Lord Brahma have on His forehead?

Tripundra or "three horizontals lines" is the Tilak worn by Lord Shiva and His devotees. Urdhva Pundra is tilak worn by Lord Vishnu and His devotees. But there are images of Brahma with both tilaks. ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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Red Tilak worn by Hindu women [duplicate]

I have not learned about Hindu culture but it hurts me when some people say that the tilak worn by Hindu women and men is a curse of Lord Shiva to people who laughed at him when Ganga menstruated on ...
Jayashri Shetty's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

What is Gorochana or Goulochan?

I have Gorochana or Goulochan, given by a friend. I want to know it's vedic application. I have two types of Goulochan one is from cows head and other one cow gallstone Bezoar. I did not find ...
Sashi's user avatar
  • 273
5 votes
1 answer
3k views

What do the various forehead dots and marks signify?

I currently live in an area which has a high Indian population. I've noticed a number of Indian men and women with various marks and dots on their foreheads but have never asked about the significance ...
Eliseo D'Annunzio's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
1k views

Why do Swami Ayyappa images have Namam symbol on the forehead?

Why do swami Ayyappa images seem to have Namam symbol on the forehead? Is there any story behind that? He is the son for both Hari and Hara so shouldn't pattai be applied to swamy's forehead?
dimancrown's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
14k views

Why is the ring finger or thumb used for tilak?

For doing tilak, I have been always instructed to use my ring fingers. But my Panditji always used his thumb. When I asked about it he instructed me that Pandits and brahmins can also use their thumb ...
Ankit Sharma's user avatar
  • 6,538
21 votes
6 answers
36k views

Why Hindus wear red tilak and sandal wood tilak on foreheads?

Hindus prefer to wear red tilak and sandal wood tilak on foreheads. Also Lord Shiva wears Bhasma(Vibhuthi). Many of his followers do the same. How did this practice originate?
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