Kumkuma

Indian powder

For other uses, see Kumkuma (disambiguation).

"Kumkum" redirects here. For the Japanese TV animation series, see Kum-Kum.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Kumkuma" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Kumkum powder from Mysore, India.

Kumkuma is a powder used for social and religious markings in India. It is made from turmeric or any other local materials. The turmeric is dried and powdered with a bit of slaked lime, which turns the rich yellow powder into a red color.

In India, it is known by many names including kuṅkumam (Sanskrit कुङ्कुमम्, Tamil குங்குமம், and Malayalam കുങ്കുമം), kumkuma (Telugu కుంకుమ), kukum (Konkani कुकूम्), kunku (Marathi कुंकू), kanku (Gujarati કંકુ), kumkum (Bengali কুমকুম and Hindi कुमकुम), and kunkuma (Kannada ಕುಂಕುಮ).

## Application

[edit]

Traditional silver container for Sindoor/Kumkuma

Kumkuma is most often applied by Indians to the forehead. The reason involves the ancient Indian belief that "the human body is divided into seven vortices of energy, called chakras, beginning at the base of the spine and ending at the top of the head. The sixth chakra, also known as the third eye, is centered in the forehead directly between the eyebrows and is believed to be the channel through which humankind opens spiritually to the Divine".[1]

Thus, the kumkuma is placed where Indians believe to be the most important spot for receptivity to be enhanced.

## Common forehead marks

[edit]

* Shaivites: Followers of Shiva usually apply three white horizontal lines (made from vibhuti) with a dot of kumkuma at the center. This is also known as tripundra. [1]
* Vaishnavas: Followers of Vishnu make use of "white clay to apply two vertical lines joined at the base and intersected by a bright red streak." Many times the clay is applied in a U-shape. This is known as Urdhva Pundra tilaka.[1]
* Shaktas: Shaktas of most Sampradayas usually apply a dot of vermillion in the center of the forehead with turmeric smeared around it.
* Swaminarayana: Followers of the Swaminarayan faith apply kumkuma at the center of the forehead and between a U-shaped tilaka. The tilaka is normally yellow and made from sandalwood.[2]
* Chandrakor: Many Maharashtrians – men, women, and children alike – wear it traditionally in the shape of crescent moon.

Kungumam (Kumkuma) sold near Hindu temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India

## Significance

[edit]

In the Vaishnava tradition, the "white lines represent the footprint of their God, while the red refers to his consort, Lakshmi".[1] The Swaminarayana tradition holds that the tilaka (yellow U-shaped mark) "is a symbol of the lotus feet of Paramatma," and the kumkuma "represents the bhakta" (devotee).[2] In both of these traditions, the forehead mark serves as a reminder that a devotee of God should always remain protected at the feet of God.[citation needed]

The 'color' of the womb is yellow and is symbolically represented by turmeric. The blood stains on the womb is represented by kumkuma. It is believed that the combination of turmeric and kumkuma represents prosperity.[citation needed]

### Kumkuma and women

[edit]

When a girl or a married woman visits a house, it is a sign of respect (in case of an elderly lady) or blessings (in case of a girl) to offer kumkuma to them when they leave. However, normally it is not offered to widows(It is actually orthodoxy and superstition). If kumkuma is given to widow there will be no harm as 'bidhaba' or 'sadhaba' depends only on consideration, it's neither law of nature nor God.

Men, women, girls, and boys also apply a dot on their forehead of red turmeric powder, when visiting a temple or during a pooja. Kumkuma at temples is found in heaps. People dip their thumb or ring finger into the heap and apply it on the forehead or between the eyebrows.

In most of India, married women apply red kumkuma to the parting of their hair above their forehead every day as a symbol of marriage. This is called vermilion, or in Hindi, sindoor. In India, many unmarried girls wear a bindi every day.

## Making kumkuma

[edit]

Kumkum is made from turmeric by adding slaked lime.

## Other uses

[edit]

Holi celebrations, Pushkar, Rajasthan.

Kumkuma is also widely used for worshiping the Hindu goddesses, especially Shakti and Lakshmi, and kumkuma powder is thrown (along with other mixtures) into the air during Holi (the Festival of Colours), a popular Hindu spring festival.

Sanatan Sanstha has published an article which mentions that Kumkuma also is believed to prevent "negative energies entering the body".[3]

## See also

[edit]

* Haldi Kumkum
* Bindi (decoration)
* Tilaka
* List of materials used in Hinduism
* Category:Hindu iconography

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Huyler, Steven. "The Experience: Approaching God". In The Life of Hinduism, ed. Vasudha Narayanan and John Stratton Hawley. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2006.
2. ^ a b Sadhu Mukundcharandas. Indian Rites and Rituals. First edition. Amdavad: Swaminarayana Aksharpitha, 2007
3. ^ "Haldi, Kumkum, Gulal and Gandha". Sanatan Sanstha. 2014-07-08. Retrieved 2021-04-28.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kumkum.

* Kumkum 2008
* Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018

* v
* t
* e

South Asian wedding

By religion|

* Bahá'í
* Buddhist
* Christian
* Hindu
* Islamic
* Jewish
* Sikh
* Zoroastrian

By region or culture|

* Arunachal Pradesh (Panchai baja)
* Bengal (Muslim)
* Bengal (Hindu)
* Hajong
* Kerala (Kettu Kalyanam)
* Odia
* Punjabi
* Sikkim (Limbu)
* Tamil (Iyer)
* Telugu

By country|

* Bangladesh
* India (Hindu)
* Nepal (Ihi)
* Pakistan
* Sri Lanka (Buddhist)

Types|

* Arranged
* Inter-caste
* Love

Traditions|

* Baraat
* Dahej (dowry)
* Mahr (dower)
* Nikah

Rituals|

* Kanyadana
* Balle Mallarada Puje
* Vadhu Pravesha
* Bou Bhaat
* Gauna
* Gaye holud (Bengali)
* Kankana Dharane
* Mangala Ashtaka
* Parikrama
* Saptapadi
* Satphere
* Upanayana
* Mayian

Items|

* Alta
* Bangles
* Henna
* Mangala sutra
* Nose ring
* Palki
* Pheta
* Sehra
* Sindur
* Tiara
* Topor
* Upanayana
* Varamala
* Wedding mandapa
* Wedding sari

Other|

* Invitations
* Photography
* Songs
* Websites

* v
* t
* e

Cosmetics

Face|

* Anti-aging cream
* BB cream
* Botulinum toxin (Botox)
* CC cream
* Concealer
* Cotton pad
* Cleanser
* DD cream
* Facial
* Facial toning
* Foundation
* Highlighter
* Moist towelette
* Moisturizer
* Permanent makeup
* Primer
* Powder
* Rouge
* Toner
* Venetian ceruse

Lips|

* Lipstick
* Balm
* Gloss
* Liner
* Stain

Eyes|

* Blepharoplasty
* Circle contact lens
* Eyelash extensions
* Eyelid glue
* Eye liner
* Eye shadow
* Kohl
* Mascara

Hair|

* Conditioner
* Hair coloring and bleaching
* Removal
* chemical
* electric
* laser
* IPL
* plucking
* shaving
* threading
* waxing
* Shampoo
* Sindoor
* Styling products
* gel
* mousse
* pomade
* spray
* wax

Nails|

* Artificial nails
* Buffing
* Manicure
* Nail polish
* Pedicure

Body|

* Cold cream
* Lotion
* Peeling
* Plastic surgery
* Skin whitening
* Sunless tanning

Related|

* Cosmetic electrotherapy
* Cosmetic ingredients
* Cosmetics advertising
* Cosmetic packaging
* Cosmetology
* History of cosmetics
* Cosmetic industry
* Male cosmetics

Major cosmetic brands

* Ahava
* Almay
* Amorepacific
* Anastasia Beverly Hills
* Anna Sui
* Aqua Net
* Artistry
* Aveda
* Avon
* Bath & Body Works
* Benefit
* Biotherm
* Bite Beauty
* Bobbi Brown
* Bonne Bell
* Bumble and bumble
* Burt's Bees
* Carol's Daughter
* Clarins
* Clinique
* Coty
* ColourPop Cosmetics
* CoverGirl
* Creme 21
* Cutex
* Daigaku Honyaku Center
* Dermacol
* Douglas
* Elizabeth Arden, Inc.
* Estée Lauder
* elf
* Etude House
* Fabergé
* Farmec
* Fenty Beauty
* Fresh
* Garnier
* Guerlain
* Hard Candy
* Helena Rubinstein
* Jeffree Star Cosmetics
* Kao Corporation
* Kevyn Aucoin
* Kiehl's
* Kylie Cosmetics
* Lancôme
* Laneige
* Laura Mercier Cosmetics
* Lise Watier
* L'Oréal
* L'Occitane
* Love Cosmetics
* Lush
* MAC Cosmetics
* Make Up For Ever
* Mary Kay
* Max Factor
* Maybelline
* Merle Norman
* Missha
* Molton Brown
* Morphe Cosmetics
* NARS
* Natura
* Natural Wonder
* Nature Republic
* Neal's Yard Remedies
* Neutrogena
* Nexxus
* Nivea
* NYX Cosmetics
* O Boticário
* OPI
* Oriflame
* Origins
* Paula Begoun
* Pond's
* Red Earth
* Revlon
* Richard Hudnut
* Rimmel
* Sephora
* Shiseido
* Shu Uemura
* SimplySiti
* Sinful Colors
* SK-II
* Skin Food
* Stila
* Tarte Cosmetics
* The Body Shop
* The Face Shop
* Ulta Beauty
* Ultima II
* Uoma Beauty
* Urban Decay
* Vaseline
* Victoria's Secret
* Wella
* Younique
* Yves Rocher

Categories
Companies
People
History
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template