Kumkum

Kumkum (Sanskrit कुङ्कुमम् kuṅkumam, Tamil குங்குமம் kungumam)- is a powder used for social and religious markings in Hinduism. It is either made from turmeric or saffron. The turmeric is dried and powdered with a bit of slaked lime, which turns the rich yellow powder into red color.

The kumkum is an auspicious symbol. 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 young girl) to offer kumkum to them when they leave. However, it is not offered to widows. When visiting a Hindu temple, married women from southern India usually dip their ring finger in yellow turmeric powder, and apply a dot on their neck. Men, women, girls, and boys apply a dot on their forehead of red turmuric powder, also when visiting a temple or during a pooja. In most of India, everyday, married women apply red kumkum in front of their parting on their forehead as a symbol of marriage. This is called vermilion, or in Hindi, sindoor.

Kumkum is also widely used for worshiping the Hindu goddesses, especially Shakti and Lakshmi.

[edit] See also

• A kumkum recall in the U.S., Jan. 16, 2008
• Bindi (decoration)
• Bindu
• Bushra
• Holi
• Kumkum (TV series)
• Praveen shah
• Tilak

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Kum Kum is also an indian drama of indian channel star plus.