Bindi (decoration)

A bindi (, from Sanskrit bindu, meaning "point, drop, dot or small particle") is a red dot worn on the center of the forehead, commonly by Hindu women. The word Bindu dates back to the hymn of creation known as Nasadiya Sukta in Rig Veda Bindu is considered the point at which creation begins and may become unity. It is also described as "the sacred symbol of the cosmos in its unmanifested state". Bindi is a bright dot of red colour applied in the center of the forehead close to the eyebrow worn in South Asia (particularly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Mauritius) and Southeast Asia among Bali and Javanese Hindus. Bindi in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism is associated with Ajna Chakra and Bindu is known as the third eye chakra and is linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning. Bindu is the point or dot around which the mandala is created, representing the universe. Bindi has historical and cultural presence in the region of Greater India.