In the
Hindu religion, the
Tilaka (a mark on the
forehead, commonly but not always
vermilion) is one of the three visible signs (along with the
Shikha (or
Choti or
Shendi), a tuft of hair on the crown) and the wearing of the
Yagnopavit (or
Janeu, the
sacred thead around the neck) a person can display that proclaims their
adherence to
Hinduism.
Tilaki are also worn by
married women to symbolize their
marriage.
xunker also points out that the
Tilaka represents a
third inner-eye (signifying
piety).
The Tilaka (literally, 'a mark') does not have a standard shape, form or size and is applied differently by different Hindu sects (worshippers of Vishnu, for example, apply a red, yellow or saffron 'U' while worshippers of Shiva apply three horizontal lines of ash).
For the lay worshipper, Tilaki are most commonly applied ritually after puja (ceremonial worship) or
arati (a ceremony to ward off evil influences).
Tilaki are also referred to as bindi (a catch-all name for facial decoration). In my neighborhood growing up, Tilaki were referred to in a derogatory manner as 'Paki dots', even though very few Pakistani practice Hinduism (roughly 1.5% of the population, compared to 97% Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims).
Source:
- Eeshvandana
- http://www.eeshvandana.com
- Indian Culture Online
- www.indiancultureonline.com
- Religion in Pakistan
- http://www.inet.uni2.dk/~i31907/pakistan3.htm
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
- http://www.britannica.com