Recently, I read in a local newspaper, that an Indian woman wearing the kumkum was stopped by the Israeli security at the airport, suspecting the red dot to be a bomb trigger. This was a first for me. If it were a bomb trigger, would anyone display it so prominently on the forehead.

Anyway, I have been asked one too many times as to what the red dot was on a forehead. I have been asked this question by the bums in Haight, San Francisco to the most seasoned yogis. So, I must address this.

Sometimes I am asked what it is and sometimes I am asked to clarify their understanding. I have heard way too many variations and stories. I used to get so annoyed when I was younger, when people asked me this canned question as they want to understand India at a deeper level. Especially as conversation starters by drunk men at a bus station in the US, at 10 pm in the night. In my mind I would be thinking, puhleaze, not this again. Internally I would feel like Kali with the sword where the blood is dripping, but I don’t let it show. Seriously, India and Hinduism is way more than this red dot.

I am more patient now and here is what it is, for the very last time.
This is called the kumkum, bindi or bottu.
- kumkum is a mixture of turmeric and lime.

- could mean the woman is married. Traditionally, a married hindu woman should wear this. She stops wearing kumkum at the time of death of her husband.

- represents energy of Shakti.

- to stop men from hypnotizing the women. When men look at the red dot, it is supposed to stop them from getting too close.

- sometimes, sandalwood paste is used by men. I heard that when one meditates, a lot of internal energy gets drawn up to this point, the third eye. Sandalwood is used to cool this area, so knowledge can enter.

- there are many more explanations that I don’t know.