A little Indian Culture ..Red Dot... Bindi

Bindis in India

We have been asked so many questions about the culture here in India. Seems every one wants to know about the "red dot". So----we thought we would start there.

It is actually called a “bindi” on a woman and a “tilak” on a man.  The area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to be the sixth chakra, the seat of "concealed wisdom".  According to followers of Hinduism, 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.  The yoga dictionary defines it as “the third eye” spiritually.  Red represents honor, love and prosperity hence was worn traditionally by married men and women to symbolize this.  Men do not wear the tilak as often as they did traditionally.  They will wear the tilak on special occasions and while embarking on, or returning from a trip.  The younger generation of women do not always wear a red bindi as they did traditionally.  They will wear a color to coordinate with their clothing.  You can buy bindis in many colors and shapes in just about any market here in India.  Stick on bindis are very popular.  Traditionally it was only married women who wore bindis, but today, young women like to wear them as a fashion statement.


Married man with tilak in Mumbai





Married Woman at Hass outlet in Delhi

 Now, the red dot that looks like red dye (sindur) is placed on both women and men when they go to the Temple and receive a blessing. It is a red powder often made with tikka powder or vermillion.  You can also receive a blessing as a welcome to an Indian business.

Dave receiving blessing at Haas India





Chris receiving blessing at Pune HFO

 















Some Hindi women also have red dye (sindur) in the front part of their hair.  This is a sign of happiness. On the wedding day, the groom will wipe the sindur into the part of his brides hair with his little finger, seven times.  After that, the woman will continue to put it on each day if she choses.


Sindur in womans hair and bindi

Hindi women also receive a Mangalsutra necklace on their wedding day.  This is a necklace worn every day, similar to the wedding ring worn in the US.  It is gold, and very beautiful as you can see.

Jyoti at Haas Pune office

It is also a custom in India to bless your car for safety.  The car that we are using while here in India was blessed by David.  It is a very interesting ritual.  There is a flower garland put on the car. 



Garland being placed on our car

A coconut is broken and the coconut water is sprinkled on the car along with marking the car with a bindi.
Dave did a great job blessing our car. He was a bit nervous but enjoyed the experience.



Dave breaking the coconut




Dave sprinkling the coconut juice




Dave blessing the car with the bindi
















My only job was to hold the flowers and yes, you guessed it, I dropped them!!!  Well, half of them.  I didn't realize they were so heavy! 

Once the blessing was done we ate sweets called pedha.  They were delicious!  Then, Digumber, our driver while here in India, drove us home. Dave is teaching Digumber how we drive in the USA. In India they use the horn a lot while navigating the roads. In the USA this is considered rude and obnoxious so Dave is teaching him how to yell out the window "Get out of the way Dingleberry!".




Eating our sweets!












Our driver Digumber

















Motorcycles and Scooters are every where in India!  Families drive every where on them.  Some times families of 4 or 5.  Very dangerous to us as Americans but Indians don't seem to have a problem!  Deliveries are made on scooters and bikes as well!!!

Pizza delivery



Guys on way to work



Covered face because of polution





Supplies being delivered







Typical family ride on scooter

 

Well, of course Dave decided to take one for a ride at lunch one day!  No one was on the road (well, almost no one) but I still made him promise to never do it again!  Check it out!





Dave riding motorcycle

Remember the opening night of Tex Mex we were sooo excited about?  Well, as you can see, we were very happy going in!!!


Dave and Deb going into Tex Mex night









 




Friends from the UK at Tex Mex night



Well, the very next night Dave was really sick.  We think it was food poisoning from undercooked lamb at the Tex Mex feast!!! It was really bad!  Dave thought he was dying!  Fortunately, it passed over the week end and he was back at work Monday morning!  Kinda funny how he never gets sick on week days!!

We did go back again, once Dave forgot about how sick he was!  We couldn't resist the good old country music.  The performer even let Dave sing one night along with Chris from Canada and Dorina!!  They wouldn't let me sing! I guess they didn't want to drive off their customers!  : (  HA!  Once I'm famous they will be sorry!  HA!

Dave and Chris singing at Tex Mex night




Chris and Dorina singing at Tex Mex night

 
















Dave, Deb, Chris & Dorina with Tex Mex crew

 We will update on our Mumbai adventure soon!