The Beautiful Bindi
A womans beauty is multiplied 1000 times when she wears a bindi. The above proverb has been true since centuries. Very few fashion trends have the ability to stand the test of time. in fashion, trends are supposed to always change, have a much smaller shelf life, expected to bloom and after a while fade into memory. Yet, there are some body enhancement decorations in fashion that have refused to budge and hence, became iconic. The bindi, is one of them. A bindi is a dot worn by women in the centre of their forehead and according to Hindu traditions, holds a special cultural significance. The bindi has been a part of the rich cultural heritage of India. According to Hindu religion, the significance of bindis can be traced back to religious texts written thousands of years ago where it the bindi has been declared a staple in Indian culture and fashion. The importance of the beautiful bindi is rooted in the Indian cultural texts. Worn by Indian women between their eyebrows, the bindi is applied at the point called Ajna Chakra which according to Hindu texts, is the place of the third eye or the concealed wisdom. One can see the evidence of this in temples, where the idols of Hindu deities are adorned with bindis on their forehead. it was believed that applying pressure to this point between the eyebrows would energise the third eye and hence, strengthen one's concentration. Also, considered as a symbol of marriage for Indian women, bindis are mandatory just as a mangalsutra and a wedding band. It is not necessary for an unmarried woman to wear a bindi but married ones should wear bindis everyday because wearing a bindi is believed to ensure the woman's commitment towards her marriage. Nowadays, the bindi is hardly worn adhering to its cultural or social significance. Infact, the bindi has become more of an ornamentation. No longer restricted to a red vermilion paste on the forehead, the bindi has transformed itself into some vibrant designs which can be easily applied stick-ons. Available in almost every colour, one can find the beautiful bindi in various textures such as matte, glossy and even a
textured finish. There are even shiny decorated ones which are adorned sometimes with diamonds, sequins and even glitters. Yet our personal favourite remains the evergreen round dot also called the chandla. Earlier only available in the traditional colours of red, black or maroon, the beautiful bindi is now available in almost every imaginable colour and shade. Since, the bindi no more is worn in a cultural context, a matching bindi can always transform any ethnic piece of wear. Bindis look even more beautiful with traditional silk sarees, cotton sarees or even the breezy chiffon and georgette sarees. There are different sizes of bindi for every mood and occasion. From the symmetrical round to oval shape, for diamonds to teardrops, there is a perfect bindi for everyone. Bindis are so versatile that smaller can even be clubbed to form a completely new and different design. Now, that you know so much about the beautiful bindi that adorns your forehead and transforms you into an ethnic diva everytime you feel blue, shop for the ethnic look at www.indiansilkhouseagencies.com and embrace the beautiful aspect of this Indian heritage.