Bindi, Sanskrit for "dot" or "drop", is a decoration worn by South Asian and Southeast Asian women. Traditionally a bindi is made from red sindoor powder and applied to the center of the forehead just above the eyebrows. However, many women wear a piece of jewelry or a bindi in the form of a sticker, as they are simple to apply and disposable substitutes for older tilak bindis.

Where the bindi is placed is said to be the sixth chakra, the seat of "concealed wisdom". According to followers of Tantrism, this chakra is the exit point for kundalini energy. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. It is also said to protect against demons or bad luck.

In Hindu culture, the red bindis are worn by married women and black bindis are worn by single girls. Nowadays bindi is worn by all, including children, women who are not married, and women who are not Hindu.

Bindis come in various shapes, colors, sizes, and designs. You can find stars, half-moons, clovers, hearts, teardrops, leaves, or even a snake. Fancy sticker bindis may be decorated with sequins, glass beads, or rhinestones for extra dazzle.

Alternative names for bindi

• Tikli in Marathi
  
• Pottu in Tamil and Malayalam
  
• Tilak in Hindi
  
• Bottu or Tilakam in Telugu
  
• Bottu or Tilaka in Kannada
  
• Teep in Bengali
  
• Nande in Malaysia

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