Why do some Indian people paint a red dot on their forehead?

First of all, I should say sorry for this post because its purely related to a Hindu Cultural aspect. But it has been a topic that i had on my mind constantly  for the last 7 months in Germany. Many times i came across by this question from German people. So i just thought about sharing this too through my blog. 

That question was "Why do you paint a red dot on your forehead ?" , " Sometimes you have this point on your forehead but sometimes haven't, Why?"

Don't be wonder all my Indian friends, for all my German friends its like a point so i really want to share what does it really meant for all Indians who belongs to Hindu religion. Sindoor or Vermilion holds lot of importance in Indian society among the people who belongs to Hindu religion. That point is called as "Bindhi" or "Pottu". And it has many other names too (Tilak, bottu, Kumkum, Sindoor etc).  First of all i am not a big fan of this Bindhi. . Basically i did not wear this everyday. In my young ages i also used to wear this but i never tried to think about the meaning for this that much. But now of course Yes! As i am representing India in Germany i should be aware about all the aspect of Indian livings it may be cultural, traditional,economical,educational or political. 

First i would like to share the scientific aspects behind this Bindhi and how it connected with religion belief. According to Hindu religion, on one hand bindhi is used to cover or protect the Third Eye of insight within the soul. This notion of the "Third Eye" is predominant in Hindu religion. One of the God Lord Shiva's third eye is located on his forehead, is capable of intensity and power. At the same time the spot on the forehead between the eyebrows is an important nerve point called a chakra. A chakra is major nerve of spiritual, psychic and bodily forces in the human body. There are seven chakras, with the forehead being the sixth. The chakra is called the Agna and it symbolizes command and wisdom. The people belongs to Hindu religion believes that the bindhi or kumkum dot retains the energy of the body. This third eye is used for seeking concentration by Lord Shiva so the followers also doing the same with this auspicious dot. 

The scientific reason behind bindhi is quiet interesting, On the forehead between two eyebrows is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The bindi is believed to prevent the loss of energy, the red kumkum between the eyebrow is helps to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While applying bindi the points on the mid brow region and Adnya chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles achieves self realization or reaches a higher level of spirituality.  

But how the customs of  Indian society consider Bindhi?

In the earlier days women wearing the bindhi as an auspicious sign of marriage and guarantees the social status and sanctity of the institution of marriage. If women are wearing bindhi in between two eyebrows it means that they are Unmarried. If women are wearing on the top of the forehead and in between eyebrows then it indicates they are married. The real colour of bindhi is Dark Red (Which is made out of Kumkum). It represents the life long commitment to her husband and is often times removed once if she becomes a widow. But of course in this modern world this culture also got some changes.  

On man , the Tilak takes the form of different lines, indicating his religious affiliation. Usually this Kumkum is of more than one colour although normally it is vermilion. Each color denotes worship towards particular Hindu Gods. Red, Yellow, Saffron, White, Grey and Black are the normal Tilak colour. 

" Sometimes you have this point on your forehead but sometimes haven't, Why?"

Writing this post makes me realize how little Hindu I am. I am not an atheist. I believe in all Gods. I believe they are all the same but at the same time we used to call them by different names. Although i do not follow these traditions everyday. So there is a lot of reasons which made me to wear the bindhi. But for me the society fact or customs is enough reason not to wear it. 

Now in this modern society Bindhi become a part of beauty aspect. It doesn't symbolize religion or social status but only used as a beauty spot. So sometimes i also used to wear it not in the aspect of indicating religion but as a beauty spot and of course for scientific reason.