Why do we apply Tilak?

 Author: Anika Mandhania

When you walk into any pooja or are just being welcomed, Tilak Lagana tho hota hi hai. It is one of our oldest traditions, but does anyone really know its deeper significance?

Tilak serves as a spiritual sign, applied between the two eyebrows, at the Agnya Chakra, also known as the Third Eye. It is believed that tilak lagana awakens our spiritual consciousness and forms a connection with divine energies especially during prayer, rituals, and meditation. It is believed that the tilak creates a protective shield around the wearer and prevents negative energies from entering their aura.

Tilaks can be a paste of vermillion, sandalwood, sacred ash, or turmeric. The shape and substance of the Tilak generally correspond to the God/Goddess that the tilak-wearer follows closely with their lineage. Here are some examples:

- Shiva’s worshippers: tilak made of vibhuti/sacred ash in horizontal lines, as a tripura to remind them of the temporary nature of the material world

- Sai Baba’s worshippers: tilak made of vibhuti/sacred ash in a dot on their third eye to represent the healing udi he used to give his visitors

- Vishnu’s worshippers: tilak applied in a ‘U’ shape on their forehead to represent his footprint which indicates the desire to become Vishnu’s humble servant

- Devi’s worshippers: tilak of kumkum with a single vertical red line or dot as a sign of her divine power and energy

Going into the substances that Tilak’s can be made of, here are some of the most commonly seen tilaks with their meanings:

- Chandan/sandalwood powder: leaves a cooling effect and captures the attention of the Third Eye, extends its influence to the pineal and pituitary glands in your brain and aids with their function

- Kumkum/vermillion: provides the energy needed to confront difficult challenges, serves as a confidence booster and empowers individuals to navigate through various scenarios, in addition to enhancing focus and awakening psychic powers

- Haldi/turmeric: cleanses the skin with its antibacterial properties, acts as a balm for the soul, and purifies the way for enhanced self-assurance

Hope you learned something about the significance of Tilak Lagana & see you all at IMRC in August!