In the Hindu tradition maried women, must wear sindoor, sometimes called vermillion on the forehead. Sindoor is a symbol, signifying the woman is married. On the day of her
marriage the husband, places a dot of sindoor, on her forehead, at the part of her hair. This is part of the marriage ceremony, and is repeated, during some of the traditional,festival celebrations.
The use of sindoor or vermillion as it is sometimes called, symbolizes the wife's hope, her husband will have a long life. When the husband dies the use of sindoor is discontinued.
The red sindoor appears as a red dot on the forehead.
Sindoor is made by mixing turmeric-lime and lead mercury. This mixture is said to control blood pressure and activate sexual drive.
The custom of using sindoor to identify married women has lasted for over 5000 years and continues today.
